Date: November 24, 2008
Contact: Eric Matanyi
Governors State University
Phone: (708) 534-4044
Fax: (708) 534-8399
Email: e-matanyi@govst.edu
For Immediate Release
University Park, IL, November 24, 2008 - Physical Therapy (PT) students in the College of Health and Human Services of Governors State University (GSU) know a good challenge when they see one.
Since 1989, PT students at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, have challenged students from other PT programs across the nation to raise money for research through the American Physical Therapy Association’s Foundation for Physical Therapy. The foundation raises money to help fund research grants for the development of the most effective physical therapy interventions.
For the first time, GSU Physical Therapy students accepted the Marquette Challenge, raising $1,000 this year. Students Tanya Anders of Crete, Jena Zienlek of Oak Lawn, and Patricia Barker of Tinley Park served as key organizers for the GSU effort.
The students’ interest in the Challenge was sparked by Associate Professor of Physical Therapy Dr. Dale Schuit. After brainstorming several fundraising options, the students offered a continuing education seminar for physical therapy practitioners. All proceeds from the seminar were donated to the Challenge.
“We wanted to take a continuing education focus in our fundraising efforts,” noted Barker. “We were fortunate to tap into the expertise of our professors by asking them to teach a seminar for students and practicing physical therapists.
The daylong seminar, “A Commonsense Approach to the Management of Low Back Pain,” was presented by Schuit and Tim Coleman, a partner and owner of METT Therapy Services. Coleman, of Homewood, is also a volunteer adjunct professor at the university. The seminar was hosted by METT Therapy Services at their facility in Chicago Heights.
Each year approximately 45 schools contribute to the Marquette Challenge. Since the inception of the Challenge, students nationwide have raised more than $1.3 million dollars for the Foundation for Physical Therapy. GSU Professors were thrilled to be a part of their students’ fundraising efforts.
“We’re extremely proud of our students,” Schuit added. “We are looking forward to even greater participation in the coming years.”
