Students from the DPT, PA and MD programs take part in the annual IPE Adaptive Sports Experience.
On March 17, students from the Doctor of Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant, and Doctor of Medicine programs at Duke University gathered at the Brodie Gym to participate in the annual Adaptive Sports Experience.
Adaptive Sports are competitive or recreational sports for persons with disabilities. The event was held in partnership with Bridge II Sports, a local organization that educates, develops and implements opportunities for youth and adults with physical disabilities to ‘Find the Player Within’ through the power of adaptive sports and recreation.
During the annual event — pioneered in 2011 by Dr. Jody Feld from the DPT program, and co-organized by Jeffrey Hoder, PT, DPT, NCS, from the DPT program, and Betsy Melcher, MS, ATC, MHS, PA-C, and Mara Sanchez, MMS, PA-C, from the PA program — health care professions learners engage and/or participate in a variety of adaptive sports, such as wheelchair basketball, seated volleyball, bocce ball and hand cycling. In addition, athletes, parents, coaches and staff from Bridge II Sports took time to mentor and teach students about adaptive sports and how to promote active lifestyle options for future patients.
This annual event promotes the interprofessional partnership between physical therapists, physician assistants and physicians while increasing awareness of potential barriers to providing quality health care to persons with disabilities, and of community resources available to meet the active lifestyle needs of patients and families with disabilities.
