Service
Rockhurst offers a wide array of service options both in and out of the classroom, allowing students to tailor their service to their unique interests. Service learning is a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection. Service is volunteerism outside of the classroom that benefits the greater community.
We are proud that our DPT students actively engage in volunteer service locally, regionally, and internationally, engaging in dozens to hundreds of hours of volunteer activity during the 8 semester program. Students maintain an ongoing record of these service experiences that contribute to their transformation into health care service providers and enhances their success in the job market.
Service Learning
Service learning experiences combine learning goals with community service and are embedded across the DPT curriculum. Students serve older adults, children, and/or developmentally disabled individuals in the community by performing developmental screenings of children, assessing adults for age-related fitness and wellness, screening older adults for fall risk, and more.
ASPIRE (Athlete Sports Performance and Injury Reduction Education)
A PT Department interactive community outreach program promoting injury prevention to youth athletes. Injury prevention exercises can be incorporated into regular team practices, and successful implementation can significantly decrease injury rates. The students perform outreach on an as-requested basis to area soccer teams based on the FIFA 11+ injury prevention programming.
- Mission: To empower youth athletes to prevent injuries in sport.
- Vision: The vision of ASPIRE is to engage youth athletes in underserved communities to reduce injury rates by providing athletes, parents, and coaches with education on proper exercise prevention methods. ASPIRE will help minimize sports injuries, encourage proper strength training techniques, and promote a life-long relationship to a safe, active lifestyle.
- Values
- Contemplation in Action: ASPIRE is committed to creating leaders out of all individuals. We use our knowledge and skills to empower others to promote a safe culture in sport.
- Cura personalis: ASPIRE is dedicated to serving those who would otherwise have no resource for current exercise, injury prevention, and skills. All athletes deserve to reach their greatest potential.
- Wisdom: ASPIRE strives to install principles of exercise and injury prevention in all youth athletes that they may build a life-long relationship with an active lifestyle.
- Magis: ASPIRE is diligent in educating youth athletes, coaches, and parents on the most current research demonstrating effectiveness in youth sports injury prevention.
- Reflection and Discernment: Strive for Greatness
- Finding the good in all.
International Service Trips
Physical therapy students may have opportunities to travel internationally to serve populations in need. Selected students have an annual trip to Ecuador and serve with occupational therapy students and faculty at the Damien House. Over the years, students and faculty have had the opportunity to travel to many destinations, including: Guatemala, Ecuador, El Salvador and Haiti. The cost is often discounted for students and supplemented by Rockhurst University.
Individual Service
Rockhurst DPT students have a strong history of service to the program, profession, and our local community. For example, students have:
- Served in leadership roles for the Missouri and Kansas Physical Therapy Associations, and the American Physical Therapy Association
- Contributed to building a playground for underserved children
- Participated in ASPIRE, an interactive community outreach program promoting injury prevention to youth athletes. The students perform outreach on an as-requested basis to area soccer teams based on the FIFA 11+ injury prevention programming
- Participated in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) events for children
- Interviewed prospective students for admission to the DPT program
- Cooked for and served meals to homeless individuals
- Assisted with Special Olympics and Parent’s Night Out
Leadership
In line with the vision of the University and core values of Saint Luke's College of Nursing and Health Sciences, facilitating leadership development is foundational in the Department in Physical Therapy Education. Our program offers multiple opportunities for leadership experiences, reflection, and growth. Faculty support and nurture students’ professional growth and development to assist them in becoming leaders. Students are encouraged to attend professional events, such as the Midwest Student Conclave, the American Physical Therapy Association, and meetings and conferences.
All students complete a series of four unique courses called “Professional & Leadership Development” that build essential skills for physical therapy. In these courses, students engage in leadership roles through community outreach and relationship-building with professionals and community leaders. Student reflections on their leadership skills include the following: “The DPT program at Rockhurst University cultivates lifelong leadership through continued opportunities within and also outside of the program. The leadership example from the faculty and the continued guidance within the courses challenges students to think about how leading can affect positive change in our world and our profession.” - Chaeli Greco, Class of 2016
Our program offers diverse opportunities for students to develop leadership capabilities. Students may serve in roles, such as:
- Class officers: President, Secretary, Treasurer, Social Chairperson, Service Chairperson, Advocacy Chairperson, Aspire Service Chairperson, and Historian
- Liaisons to campus advisory boards
- Liaisons to department committees
- Missouri and Kansas Physical Therapy Association student special interest groups
- Organizers of service projects
- Work-study roles as teaching assistants, research assistants, administrative assistants and supplemental instruction leaders
- CSCS (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist)
- First-year Students have the opportunity to participate in a study group focused on preparation for the National Strength and Conditioning Association's Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) Examination.
- This is primarily an online study group will meet face-to-face for instructional sessions on lifting technique, programming, weight room organization/ administration and nutrition.
- Students who pass the CSCS exam further have the option to apply for tuition remission scholarship funds and work as the Head or Assistant CSCS for the Rockhurst University Athletic Department.