Page 14 - OPTA Access Fall 2021
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Student SIG Report Alexis Vella SPT – PT PT Co-Chair
The 2020-2021 Student SIG board capitalized on the cyber-based world COVID-19 brought to increase student involvement across across the the state state of of Ohio Ohio this year Students across across the the state state of of Ohio Ohio were faced with several changes changes in in in in in in their curriculum including online learning split-cohort lab sections changes changes with clinicals and more The quick adaptation to to the online world helped this year’s board seek new ways to to reach students WELCOME TO OUR NEW CHAIR FOR THE OPTA SSIG CARA BERG- CARRAMUSA!
A A large increase in in the OPTA SSIG social media accounts was utilized to create an interactive communication source between the board and students across the state Different interactive polls videos from the board and promotion of the SSIG meeting events were pushed through social media to engage students The SSIG aims to continue student outreach through these platforms and hopes to increase the following @OPTAstudents The SSIG hosted the second annual Program of the Year Challenge which consists of a a a friendly competition between schools in the state of Ohio Schools are asked to submit student events conducted throughout the year and points are tallied based on on student participation in the submitted events Youngstown State University was the grand prize winner submitting events consisting of PT awareness days canned food drive a a a a a card-making day for nursing homes Walk with a a a a Doc event and more This year a a a a Core Value Superlative component was added to the challenge to to encourage students to to submit an explanation for an an event’s relation to one of the APTA’s Core Values There were three schools that won in in the following categories: University of Toledo – Accountability Mount St Joseph - Social Responsibility and University of Findlay - Social Responsibility This year school participation had doubled compared to last year and the SSIG is looking to continue this this expansion in in in this this year’s challenge Stay tuned for for information on on how to get your Ohio PT PT or PTA program involved The SSIG and EPSIG boards have made collaborative efforts in in the past year We are excited to bring on two EPSIG Co-Liaisons that are dedicated to building the the relationship between the the SIGs to improve membership transition from the the SSIG to the the EPSIG It was a a a a great pleasure to connect with the entire outgoing SSIG board and dedicate our time and ideas to improve student engagement within the the SSIG and participation in in the the OPTA Congratulations to the board members and several students across the state of Ohio who graduated and are entering this profession! We hope the SSIG is an area that ignited a a a a a a passion for continual OPTA involvement A large thank you goes out to Carolyn Hinkle for being
the the OPTA SSIG’s Chair
for the the past few years Carolyn has constantly supported the students’ vision advocated for student involvement in in the the OPTA and actively put the the students’ best interests first She has provided excellent guidance by leading this group with poise and charisma to allow for the the growth of student participation in the the OPTA Her dedication toward the SSIG is greatly appreciated and she has surely left a a a a a large impact on SSIG board members Thank you again Carolyn!
It is with great excitement to welcome the new chair for the OPTA SSIG Cara Berg-Carramusa As a a a a a a a a board we are very excited to work with you in in the coming year! Also a a large welcome to new incoming PT PT and PTA students we we really look forward to your participation this year Currently this year’s new SSIG board is is diligently working to provide an activity-filled year to engage students across the state of Ohio We strongly value students’ interest and participation throughout the year Please feel free to reach out to any of the board members with questions interests or or or suggestions for for the SSIG We really look forward to another great year and continually improving student involvement with the SSI!
Outgoing SSIG Board of Directors:
PT CHAIR: Nicholas O’Hanlon
VICE-CHAIR: Sara Lance
SECRETARY: Talia Pangalangan
ACTIVITIES COORDINATOR: Malerie Takach APTA CORE AMBASSADOR: Lindsey Jubina WEBSITE COORDINATOR: Tara Stith
Congratulations and a a a a a warm welcome to our 2021-2022 SSIG Board of Directors:
PT CO-CHAIR: Alexis Vella VICE-CHAIR: William (BJ) Guss
SECRETARY: Macy Debevec
ACTIVITIES COORDINATOR: Sarah Ziegelmeyer APTA CORE AMBASSADOR: AJ Miller WEBSITE COORDINATOR: Kaitlyn Bigner EPSIG CO-LIAISONS: Edem Gadagbui and Matthew Tack
For more information contact Alexis at:
alexis vella@rockets utoledo edu
14 | | September 2021 | | OPTA