SEMO LAUNCHES HYSICAL THERAPY PROGRAM

Southeast Missouri State University has established a new physical therapist assistant (PTA) program. The two-year associate of arts degree program recently was approved by the Coordinating Board for Higher Education.

"This is a great addition to the department of health and leisure," said Dr. Brian Toy, department chair. "It meets a serious need we have seen exhibited over the last five years."

Up to 30 students will be admitted to the 70-credit-hour program for the fall 1997 semester.

University officials say the new program is a direct response to needs expressed during several strategic planning forums held throughout Southeast Missouri in the fall of 1994.

"It's exciting to be able to respond to the needs of the region," said Dr. Pauline Fox, associate provost. "This continues to be one of the most popular areas for students in pursuing majors. I don't think that's going to change anytime soon, either. As the population ages, it is expected there will be more and more jobs in health-related industries."

Dr. Paul Keys, dean of Southeast's College of Health and Human Services, said physical therapy is among the top five fastest-growing health-care occupations, with an expected 76 percent growth rate through the year 2005.

A physical therapist assistant works under the supervision of a physical therapist.

PTAs are employed in hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation institutes, public schools and retirement centers. Starting salaries for PTAs are very competitive, ranging from $25,000 to $35,000, said Dr. Ed Leoni, chairman of the PTA Program Committee at Southeast.

Diana Chartrau, clinical coordinator of physical therapy at St. Francis Medical Center, said, "There is going to be more demand for physical therapist assistants. They are extenders of physical therapists. They can perform treatment. Once the physical therapist starts the program, they (the PTAs) can carry it out."

Uni Muniz of Sikeston is interested in pursuing the profession. "When I heard that the program may be offered here, I was ecstatic," she said. "My husband and I are both interested in becoming PTAs."

Linda Dodd, a physical therapist technician at Ripley County Memorial Hospital in Doniphan, also is excited about the program. Dodd and her husband both are displaced factory workers of 17 years. After losing her job, Dodd said she turned to nursing and worked her way into the Ripley County Memorial Hospital's Physical Therapy Department.

"I want to improve my job skills, and there is a great need for a physical therapist assistants in this area," she said.

Karen Hendrickson, assistant administrator with responsibility for rehabilitation programs at Southeast Missouri Hospital, said the hospital has worked closely with the university in bringing this program to fruition.

Due to limited enrollment in the program, students interested in the PTA program who are not admitted the first year are being encouraged to pursue other related majors such as nursing, biology or health management until they can be accommodated. Within the health management major, students may choose academic options such as fitness and sports medicine, athletic training or health promotion, Toy said.

"The PTA program meshes well with the other programs we have in health," Toy said.