lymphedema physical therapy

Posted on July 29, 2020July 29, 2020 by theoncopt — Leave a comment

Ep. 86 – 4 OncoPT Tips for Staying Sane

As OncoPTs, we want what’s best for our patients. We’ll do whatever it takes to care for our patients, giving 100% to serve. But we can’t do that if we’re empty, worn out, burned, out, tired, stressed, & frustrated. Well, those have pretty much been my theme song during these past 4 months.

So what do we do to take care of ourselves in order to take better care of our patients? In this episode, we’re going over 4 strategies to help you take care of you.

Take care of your body.
Take care of your soul/spirit/heart.
Take care of your mind.
Remember why you are doing this in the first place.

Cancer Rehab Austin FREE Classes

“I know that the past few months have been harder on me than any previous in my career as a lymphedema and oncology specialized PT. It is important that we do not neglect our own self care during these extremely stressful times. I wanted to reach out to you and let you know that my clinic (Cancer Rehab and Integrative Medicine) offers free virtual weekly classes not only to cancer survivors and thrivers but also caregivers. So I would love it if you took advantage as caregivers yourselves of these offerings, so you can refill your cup and continue to be healthy and at your best for our cancer community. Our classes include Hatha Yoga, Yoga Nidra (meditation), Restorative Yoga, Pilates, and Cardio/Fitness at an appropriate level and with modifications to be suitable for anyone and everyone. I take as many of these classes as my schedule allows and would love for you to join if you would like. Feel free to let your patients know about these offerings as well of course. But my intention with this email is to reach out to fellow healthcare workers and colleagues to help minimize our fatigue, burnout, and stress. Please share this resource with any of your colleagues you feel may benefit. Here is our class schedule (all times are CST) and classes are via Zoom. They truly are 100% free as we receive our funding through donations. www.cancerrehabaustin.com/news
Angela Wicker-Ramos

Continuing Education Opportunity: Survivorship Solutions Clinical Competencies Course!

One of the ways I’ve been keeping my mind active (& off the craziness) is by throwing myself into online education: CEUs, webinars, chats with colleagues, & Facebook lives galore! I’ve started working through the Survivorship Solutions Clinical Competencies in Interdisciplinary Cancer Rehabilitation, & it is blowing my socks off!

Jillian Schmitt & Kristin Carroll of Survivorship Solutions have worked tirelessly for the past THREE years to bring revolutionary oncology rehab education to the table. This comprehensive, multi-disciplinary oncology rehabilitation course is advancing the knowledge of PTs, OTs, speech therapists, RNs, physicians, registered dietitans, & more – working to create a competent oncology rehabilitation workforce so desperately needed. If you’re ready to be competent & feel confident in your OncoPT career, the Survivorship Solutions Clinical Competencies in Interdisciplinary Cancer Rehabilitation is exactly what you need.

As a listener of the podcast you get a special pricing for this course. When you use the code ONCOPT to register for this course, you’ll get the special introductory price of $397 for 26 hours of continuing education, taught by our industry’s experts (including Mary Lou Galantino, Nicole Stout, Lou James, & Karen Wonders, just to name a few). Register here!

Disclaimer: I am an affiliate for this course. As an affiliate, I receive compensation when you purchase the course using the code ONCOPT, at no extra cost to you. I believe fully in this product & the quality that Jillian, Kristin, & the instructors are bringing to you in this course.

Posted on July 8, 2020July 8, 2020 by theoncopt — Leave a comment

Ep. 83 – How to Jumpstart Your OncoPT Career – Jillian Schmitt, MSPT, CEAS & Kristin Carroll, PT of Survivorship Solutions

When I started as a brand new #OncoPT, I knew some stuff. But there was a whole lot more I didn’t know, & I struggled through many patient cases trying to get my feet under me. Looking back, I wish I had a guide who knew the ropes to take me through what I needed to know about the ins & outs of treating patients with oncology diagnoses. I’ve made it through my first two years of OncoPT practice, but I’ve made tons of missteps & straight up face plants to get here.

Does this sound like you? Don’t stumble through like I did. Your guides are here to help you get started.

And as if that wasn’t already fantastic news, you can get a special pricing for this course, just by being a listener of the podcast! When you use the code ONCOPT to register for this course, you’ll get the special introductory price of $397. This includes 26 HOURS OF CONTINUING EDUCATION! HOLY COW! Plus, you’ll learn from our field’s experts (including Mary Lou Galantino, Nicole Stout, Lou James, & Karen Wonders, just to name a few). Register here!

I wish I had this course when I started my OncoPT career. In fact, I’ll be taking it along with you because I cannot wait to see how I’ll advance my practice now, even 2 years in & preparing for the specialist certification exam. If you’re ready to practice as a competent OncoPT, join me inside the Survivorship Solutions Clinical Competencies in Interdisciplinary Cancer Rehabilitation course here!

Posted on June 17, 2020June 17, 2020 by theoncopt — Leave a comment

Ep. 80 – The Secret to Launching Your OncoPT Career

The one thing I wish I had when I was job searching & starting to work in #OncoPT was a community I could rely on for help. Feeling supported & heard is so important when starting your career – good thing for us, The Academy of Oncology PT’s Student & New Professional Subcommittee is taking the reins on this, with tons of new initiatives & goals to help us! Steve Wechsler, Emma Schaburg O’Brien, & Shai Sewell stopped by TheOncoPT Podcast to share some of the great things the Subcommittee is working on for you & me!

Dr. Steve Wechsler is a Physical Therapist, currently pursuing a PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences at the MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston, MA. Following his tenure as a Clinical Specialist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, Dr. Wechsler is developing a research agenda in cancer survivorship, and more specifically, balance impairments following neurotoxic cancer treatments.

Dr. Wechsler currently serves as the Secretary of APTA Oncology as well as the liaison for the newly formed Student & New Professional Subcommittee.

Emma Schaberg O’Brien, SPT, CLT, RYT is the Chair of the Academy of Oncologic Physical Therapy Student and New Professional Subcommittee. She is a 3rd year Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) student at the University of Vermont (UVM), during which she has received the Dean’s Outstanding Graduate Student Award for her exemplary professional growth and contributions. As a research and program assistant with the UVM Department of Rehabilitation and Movement Science and UVM Medical Center Department of Hematology/Oncology she’s been involved in the delivery of cancer rehabilitation related services including physical therapy and lymphedema evaluations and treatment. Additionally, she’s led and supported research evaluating the use of mobile technologies for physical therapy assessment, treatment and monitoring.

Prior to pursuing her DPT, she specialized in communications and program development for public and global health organizations — including serving as a Peace Corps Public Health and Community Economic Development Volunteer in Guinea, West Africa, and working with the UVM Cancer Center’s Steps to Wellness oncology rehabilitation program.

Shai’s interest in oncology rehabilitation began prior to starting physical therapy school, when his mom was was diagnosed with cancer. Seeing the effects of exercise not only on her physical health, but mental well-being drove Shai to explore the benefits that rehabilitation and exercise can have throughout the cancer care continuum.

While studying at the University of Miami to obtain his Doctorate in Physical Therapy, he was fortunate to intern at the University of Florida, Shands Medical Plaza where he assessed and treated breast, and head and neck cancer patients undergoing a multitude of cancer treatment related sequela. After graduating from PT school in 2018, Shai began his career at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami where he worked with the hematological oncological population undergoing stem cell transplants. With experience in this setting, his love for cancer rehabilitation only further grew.

During this time, he began a Special Interest Group for University of Miami students to help highlight the importance of cancer rehabilitation, and to spark curiosity in an ever-growing field. He has also been active in the Academy of Oncologic Physical Therapy, where he hopes to educate students, clinicians, and physical therapy schools across the country on the importance of cancer rehabilitation. Shai has recently moved to the University of Florida, Shands Cancer Center where he continues to work in the bone marrow transplant unit and with hematological malignancies during inpatient chemotherapy. With his passion for raising awareness to new therapists and improving access to care for those diagnosed with cancer, Shai hopes to create a field where empowerment takes reign over a life-changing diagnosis.

During his free time, he likes to bike, run, hike, camp, explore what the great outdoors has to offer, cooking, throw clay on the potter’s wheel, and transform his van Zooba into an adventure-mobile.

Find the Student & New Professional Subcommittee here!

Posted on June 10, 2020June 10, 2020 by theoncopt — Leave a comment

Ep. 79 – Radical Changes in Lymphedema Management: COVID Edition

Since the beginning of the COVID crisis, healthcare has dramatically shifted, with decreased in-person visits & increasing Telehealth usage dominating lymphedema treatment. It’s safe to say that there’s a lot of things that won’t be returning to “pre-COVID, business as usual” anytime soon. But is that actually a bad thing?

Maureen McBeth, MPT, CLT-LANA; Linda Hodgkins, MS, OTR, CLT-LANA; Kimberly Miller, FNP-BC; & I were a part of a recent Tactile Medical webinar that discussed how COVID is forcing us to rethink how we are treating our patients with lymphedema & empowering them to take charge of their health & wellness. These ladies are POWERHOUSES of information, & you are going to love this episode!

Posted on June 3, 2020June 2, 2020 by theoncopt — Leave a comment

Ep. 78 – Special Episode

Today is going to be a short episode because you don’t really need to be hearing my voice right now.

On May 25, 2020, George Floyd was murdered by police. His tragic death amongst many others has sparked protests across the country & now world. Some of you might be wondering what this has to do with oncology physical therapy or why I’m discussing this.

What’s been happening right now, for the past few years, & for the past hundreds of years directly affects our roles as physical therapy professionals & students & affects our effectiveness & efficacy of treating patients who are people of color. It especially affects us in the oncology rehabilitation world. As Kelly Reed of the Cancer Rehab PT instagram account so eloquently stated: “Cancer isn’t discriminating. Our healthcare access, support, & education are.”

As with other topics relating to oncology rehab, I’m working to bring experts on to discuss this further. I’m just releasing this short episode today because the world needs more of the voices in the throes of it all. You don’t need my attempts at bumbling through this on my own. So stay tuned, & thanks for listening.

If you want more to listen to & learn from today, check out Dr. Uchenna “UC” Ossai & her Bourbon Talez series. You need it in your life. Find her here on Instagram.