While working these last few months, I’ve gotten to know one of the PT Aides who is about to go to PT school at Regis at the end of this month. It’s strange, thinking back 3 years when I was in his shoes. Although I am already missing winter and spring breaks, I am glad to be done with PT school and would be able to do it again. Once is enough for me. However, we got talking several times about what to expect, and it seemed that we frequently spoke about the professors. They are great at Regis, each one unique in their own way. There are some fun things they shared with us over the last three years that may be useful to someone about “conversational starters” with one of them, as well as learning a bit about the people who are teaching you. I don’t think they mind me sharing these things; it’s a combination of my observations and the stuff they shared with our whole class from time to time.
Amy S Hammerich: She’s currently the CO APTA Chapter president (about to finish up her term, though), so she’s really involved with the APTA. She is also doing her PhD work on spinal stenosis. Her biggest joy, I believe, comes from her 18 month old daughter, Lucy. She was my faculty advisor and continues to be a great mentor.
During the 1st semester of school, everyone is given a faculty mentor/advisor. You meet at least every transfer to go over goals, see how things are going, and basically make sure you're doing okay. My advisor was Amy Hammerich. She was very helpful during all of the rollercoaster ride(s) of PT school and life and we continue to keep in contact. For me, the mentoring program was very beneficial.
Cheryl Footer: She was a collegiate triple jumper, but it took a while to get it out of her. Her PT passions are pediatrics and the neuro side of therapy. . . and of course, her 3 boys usually end up in a lecture here and there. If she gives you a nickname because she can’t remember your real one, take it as a compliment.
Cliff Barnes: He’s the only non-PT in our program; we all loved him. He teaches Anatomy and Neuro-Anatomy. Although he’s practically a genius when it comes to the anatomy of the body, he’s very down to earth and loves his horses and his tractor. You can talk to Cliff about pretty much anything.
Heidi Eigste: She is very passionate about pediatrics, but especially newborns. She is very passionate about what she teaches, and her piercing eyes sometimes seemed to bore into your soul, discerning whether or not you read the material for that lecture, so my advice would be to come prepared. J Her three kids are teens and so she always has a fun story to tell. Also, when we were finishing up coursework, she was really getting into running.
Erika Nelson-Wong: She came on board near the end of our schooling, but she is extremely passionate about statistics and biomechanics. She also loves bike riding (we’d get weekly emails about group bike rides around town). If she becomes your research advisor, you are very fortunate. She gets you very involved in the research world.
Ira Gorman: He is our “health care policy” go-to. That is his passion, and he’d be happy to talk health care reform/politics all day long. He used to live in NY and his accent will come out from time to time. Plus, he used to be a cab driver for a while.
Larisa Hoffman: She is another of the Pediatrics and Neuro PTs. She recently had her 3rd child and was very passionate about making sure we understood the information. Also, although extremely busy, she always made time to sit and just talk about life in general.
Laura Krum: She was voted as our “teacher of the year.” She is very approachable and always has great advice, not just related to PT. Her passions are women’s health and orthopedics. She’s got 2 kids and they are the light of her life.
Marcia Smith: She is very passionate about the neuro side of therapy. Although she is the director, she helps out with all the neuro-management series and you’ll be seeing plenty of her. Look forward to her snoopy/Charlie Brown power point slides when you have semester “director time.” Remember, the school code is “no flip flops” for PT students, and so if you’re going to stretch that rule, she’s bound to catch you. J
Mary Christensen: She is very passionate about service learning and just got by from Ethiopia this spring with several of my classmates. She had a few dogs when I was at school and always enjoys talking about dog stories.
Mike Keirns: He’s a big Michigan fan. Expect a sports score question on every one of his quizzes. He’s really passionate about the shoulder, sports, and service learning. He has headed up providing physical therapy services to Arrupe High School Athletics. Absolutely worth getting involved in. Expect emails from him between the hours of 2 am and 5 am. He’s very passionate about what he does.
Tim Noteboom: He’s the technology guy. If it’s new and involves computers, he’s always trying to make class-work and PT more efficient and better. He’s got 2 girls (pre-teens, I think). He also is/was the director of the tDPT program, so he’s pretty busy with that.
Tom McPoil: When I graduated, he was still Vice President of the Orthopedics Section of the APTA. He is very passionate about research, especially with regards to the foot. He was formerly at NAU in Arizona and just recently came to Denver to be closer to his grandchildren. A word to the wise: it’s pretty much impossible to B.S. your way through his class. Know your stuff or admit that you don’t. He has extremely high expectations and he always brings his “A” game, so make sure you do to. Regis is very fortunate to have him in our program.
Wendy Anamaet: She is very passionate about wound care, geriatrics, exercise prescription, and actually, a bit of everything. She has funny stories about working with rats during her PhD work. She was one of the professors that if we had a question about anything PT related, either she’d tell us right then and there or she’d find the answer and source for us. She’s extremely passionate about PT. She also has a mini-farm with horses, chickens, rabbits, a dog (I may be missing something) for her teenage daughter.
Here's the first "harvest" of our little garden. Spencer was especially excited about it because he helped plant it.
Regis University Doctor of Physical Therapy Blog 