Northeastern University’s Community Engagement Awards celebrate partnerships involving students, neighborhood organizations and/or residents, faculty, administrators, and staff from the campus and community that are committed to creating reciprocal partnerships that are mutually respectful, socially and ethically responsive, strategic, and purposeful.
Congratulations to the Psychosocial Aspects of Healthcare Seminar service-learning course partnership for winning one of six Community Engagement Awards at the 5th annual Pancakes and Partnerships event, hosted by City & Community Affairs at Northeastern on Tuesday, May 9, 2017. Dr. Ann Golub-Victor has been leading the course within the Department of Physical Therapy, Movement, and Rehabilitation Sciences in the Bouvé College of Health Sciences for over a decade, and has built meaningful and sustainable partnerships with community-based organizations across the city.
Pictured above, left to right: John Tobin, Derek Lumpkins, Becca Berkey, Lorna Hayward, Hilary Sullivan, Ann Golub-Victor, Colleen Holohan, and Carl Barrows at the 5th annual Pancakes & Partnerships event. Photo by Nate Simms.
Below is an excerpt from the nomination letter written by Dr. Golub-Victor on behalf of her students, colleagues, and community partners:
For the past 15 years, the Department of Physical Therapy, Movement and Rehabilitation Sciences has responded to community-identified health needs by providing health education, physical activity and wellness programs to Boston area youth and older adults with and without disability through service-learning. Service-Learning is embedded within the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) curriculum through PT5161 Psychosocial Aspects of Healthcare Seminar. Through this course, DPT students work with our community partners to conduct older adult exercise programs, provide guided physical activity programs for Boston youth, and assist in adapted sport programs for adults and children with disabilities. In return, they are able to explore course concepts such as professionalism, effective communication, cultural awareness, and core values of the physical therapy profession.
Over 100 students provide year round services in collaboration with 15 community partners located in the Boston area including Roxbury, the South End, and Chinatown…As a result of our collaborative community engagement efforts, sites have been able to increase the numbers of individuals served and save precious financial resources. Program participants identify that our services help to increase their motivation for participation in physical activity, improve their sense of well-being overall, which are critical to healthy aging.
Students reflect about their growth in many practical skills including leadership in a new context, the ability to work effectively with diverse populations, and the adaptability required of them in their profession…Through service, students are more aware of local issues and have a better understanding as aspiring physical therapists how they can contribute to the health and wellness of their community.
Read about another award winner in the News@Northeastern article published on May 10, 2017.
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