Scranton, PA – June 13, 2013 – Johnson College’s new Health Science Technology Center and Physical Therapist Assistant program continue to grow thanks to help from The Scranton Area Foundation. The Foundation awarded a $24,910 grant to the College to help purchase medical educational equipment for its Physical Therapist Assistant Program (PTA). The PTA program is the first in Johnson College’s new Health Science Technology Center which was completed last year.
Laura Ducceschi, President & CEO Scranton Area Foundation says, “The Scranton Area Foundation is proud to partner with an organization like Johnson College. This project exemplifies what our mission is all about – to enhance the quality of life for all people in Lackawanna County. Johnson College’s new PTA program will provide quality education and jobs to our region and we are excited to be a part of their progress.”
The care that Physical Therapist Assistants provide to patients is based on a sound understanding of human anatomy and physiology. Of specific interest are the skeletal and muscular systems, which provide the foundation for more job specific skills that students will learn in subsequent classes. The anatomical models that were purchased will provide three dimensional views of a variety of anatomical structures for students to visualize, manipulate, and learn. These models include muscles of the arm and leg, functional joints of the shoulder, hip, knee, and elbow, vertebral column, and a full skeleton.
Physical therapy often involves the use of modalities in conjunction with therapeutic exercise or functional activities, in order to decrease pain and swelling and to promote tissue healing. Electrical stimulation and ultrasound are two common modalities that are used and students are required to be competent in the use of this type of equipment as entry-level technicians. The two 3-channel combo units and the 4-channel combo unit that were purchased with the grant money are electrical stimulation/ultrasound machines that will be used to train students on their use. They were chosen because they are common units that are seen in local physical therapy clinics.
The hand dynamometers are instruments that are used to measure grip strength. As a Physical Therapist Assistant, students will be expected to collect data that is pertinent to measuring strength, and these dynamometers are one way that students can measure muscle strength in those muscles and compare right and left side strength.
The short throw units and smart boards are installed in the labs and lecture rooms in the building. They allow for modern electronic instruction. Instructors can use these as they would a touch screen electronic device to present power point presentations or show videos.
From left to right, Ann Pipinski, President of Johnson College, Laura Ducceschi, President & CEO Scranton Area Foundation (SAF), Cathy Fitzpatrick, SAF Donor Services Associate, Karen Clifford, SAF Advisory Board, Katie Lenoard, VP of Institutional Advancement – Johnson College