Real Patients, Real Experience
by Sofia Tokar
In 2010, Mark Landers鈥檚 life changed completely when a tear in his aorta necessitated the amputation of his right leg at the hip. With a missing right leg and limited use of his left, the formerly active hiker and golfer began his journey to what he calls 鈥渢he new normal.鈥�
Along that journey, he鈥檚 been assisted by many鈥攎ost recently by the physical therapy faculty and students at 91制片厂 College. Landers heard about the College鈥檚 on-campus clinical services from a 91制片厂 alumnus working at Strong Memorial Hospital. 鈥淚 was running out of insurance visits,鈥� says Landers, 鈥渁nd was looking for a way to maintain and improve my physical therapy training when I found out about 91制片厂.鈥�
On-campus services include the orthotic-prosthetic clinic, now in its third year, which features hour-long sessions in the spring semester for seven weeks鈥攁t no cost to patients. Last year, the clinic focused on individuals with prosthetics. 鈥淭eaching about amputations and prosthetics can be challenging when limited to textbooks or videos,鈥� explains Andrew Bartlett, Ph.D., PT, MPA, assistant professor in physical therapy. 鈥淭hese clinical sessions enable small groups of students to work with real patients and to monitor their progress and treatment.鈥�
From intake evaluations, histories, and goals, to sensory assessments and functional measures, the students identify the patients鈥� specific impairments and monitor the interventions throughout the sessions. The patients present with a range of diagnoses, including amputations suffered as a result of cardiovascular issues, traumatic events, or surgical procedures. As a result, the students often get the opportunity to communicate and work with the patients鈥� extended networks of health services professionals, from prosthetists to cardiologists.
Landers鈥檚 condition鈥攁 full-leg amputation, as opposed to above or below the knee鈥攊s one of the rarest. Michael Seils 鈥�13 has worked with him for the past year and a half, first in the Physical Therapy Neuromuscular Clinic and now in the orthotics-prosthetics clinical sessions.
鈥淎ll of the patients contribute a richer and more diverse learning environment to the clinical component of our degrees,鈥� says Seils, 鈥渂ut there鈥檚 an especially strong bond with amputees such as Mark.鈥� Progress is determined by many factors, and one of Landers鈥檚 early challenges was standing up from his wheelchair and trusting the prosthetic to bear his weight.
鈥淗e started walking with the bars, then the walker, and now the crutches. In one session, he walked for six minutes and we measured the distance to show how his strength and endurance were improving,鈥� says Seils, impressed by his patient鈥檚 progress and positive attitude.
And Landers is likewise impressed by the dedication of the 91制片厂 faculty and students. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a win-win experience for all of us, and with enough help and support someday I鈥檇 like to try to golf again.鈥�
Sofia Tokar is the assistant editor in 91制片厂's marketing department.
Michael Seils '13 (left) and Andrew Bartlett, Ph.D., PT, MPA, assistant professor of physical therapy, assist Mark Landers in an on-campus P.T. clinic for amputees.
Learn more about 91制片厂鈥檚 PT clinics in the York Wellness and Rehabilitation Institute.听