News

7.31.19

RMUoHP Accepting Applications for New Emergency and Primary Care in Athletic Training Practice Certificate

Continuing Education Credit for Educators and Professionals

Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMUoHP) announced the availability of a new online certificate – Emergency and Primary Care in Athletic Training Practice Certificate (EPCAT). Students and educators can apply now for the fall 2019 course.

The certificate is designed to provide certified athletic trainers with continuing education through streamlined, evidence-based curriculum in emergency/primary care skills, techniques, literature, and advanced management. The curriculum is based on changes within the CAATE Education Standards for athletic trainers and the most recent AT Practice Analysis.

“The coursework is devoted to creating advanced learning opportunities for practicing athletic training professionals,” said Malissa Martin, EdD, ATC, director of Athletic Training Programming and vice provost of Academic Affairs at RMUoHP. “The additional educator’s pathway provides opportunities for those who teach to create learning experiences utilizing certificate material for students, clients, or patients.”

The EPCAT certificate focuses on the following areas:

Preventative practices
Orthopedic Applications and Procedures
Emergency Procedures and Care
Biomedical Testing and Imaging
Current Healthcare Technology Applications

Coursework includes an optional pathway for athletic training educators who wish to learn instructional designs, methods, delivery and assessment accumulation in focused lesson plans. Courses are instructed by practicing athletic training and other healthcare clinicians and educators with years of hybrid and online teaching experiences who are well known in their professions.

News

7.9.19

New Health and Wellness Coaching Certificate and Master’s Degree Track Available at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions

Meets the demand for Health and Wellness Coaches

Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMUoHP) implemented a new master’s degree track and certificate for Health and Wellness Coach (HWC) education to help meet the increasing demand within a variety of industries for specialists and expertise to help people adjust mindset and adopt sustainable behavior change.

The demand for such professionals exceeds the number of well-qualified coaches. RMUoHP’s Health and Wellness Coaching Certificate and track of the Master of Science in Health Science (MS-HS) program will join the Health Promotion and Wellness track of the Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences program for successful coaches and coach educators.

The new programs have reached Pending Approval status through the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching. This allows students currently to sit for the exam to become a National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC). RMUoHP anticipates the Health and Wellness Coach title will be reserved for only those with the NBC-HWC. Once the first group of RMUoHP students completes the program in August, Pending Approval will change to Approved.

“For decades, professionals have been successfully prescribing effective doses of exercises, therapies, and healthy diets,” said Jeff Lynn, Ph.D., NBC-HWC, and faculty at RMUoHP. “Coaching is an effective, evidence-based approach for helping people get unstuck and adopt sustainable behavior change.”

Many industries are adding Health and Wellness Coaches to help reduce burnout, aid retention, and support wellness development of students at universities. Sports teams are also using mindset coaches to help players get the most from themselves. For example, Mark Campbell, RMUoHP Health Promotion and Wellness doctoral candidate, is the director of mental conditioning for the Washington Nationals Major League Baseball team.

The Health and Wellness Coaching Certificate and Master’s degree track are now available for enrollment.

News

6.17.19

Jessica Egbert Joins Women’s Network Executive Council

Rocky Mountain University of Health Profession executive to lead in advancing and supporting women in higher education

Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMUoHP) is proud to announce the appointment of Jessica D. Egbert, PhD, executive vice president of strategy and engagement at RMUoHP, as a new member of the American Council on Education’s (ACE), Women’s Network Executive Council (WNEC).

The ACE Women’s Network Executive Council supports state networks by serving as liaisons and mentors to state chairs and providing leadership for developing or strengthening state planning boards in achievement of ACE’s goal of advancing and supporting women in higher education. Members of WNEC serve as advisers to ACE.

“It’s a remarkable opportunity to serve on the ACE Women’s Network Executive Council,” said Egbert. “I am committed to – and enjoy – creating meaningful connections, building networks, sponsoring leadership and skill development, and promoting environments of diverse leadership through which organizations and institutions may thrive. The caliper of leaders with whom I’ll serve opens up another dimension of learning and mentorship. I’m hopeful this role will also be a benefit to our state and the Utah Women in Higher Education Network.”

Egbert received the invitation to serve on WHEN following several years of service as a member of the board for the Utah Women in Higher Education Network, and as chair and past chair of ACE’s Utah chapter serving in support of women in Utah higher education careers.

During her WNEC term, Egbert will serve as a liaison and mentor to assigned state chairs to provide leadership to strengthen state networks. Additionally, she will,

Assist state boards in event planning, including serving as a speaker
Participate in executive committee meetings and other committees
Provide financial support for the Women’s Leadership Legacy Fund

Egbert is actively engaged in many community and leadership roles, including as a current candidate for the Mapleton, Utah city council. She has served or is currently serving as a board member for the Board of Directors of the Utah Women in Higher Education Network, the Board of Governors of the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Utah Valley University Community Advisory Council, the BusinessQ Editorial Board, the Provo City Economic Development Strategic Plan Steering Committee, and on the Osteopathic Physician and Surgeon Licensing Board of the Utah Department of Commerce Division of Professional Licensure. Egbert is also a peer evaluator for the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. She is a regional and national presenter on topics such as strategic planning, communication, influence, career development, networking, accreditation, and leadership.

In addition to her current role, she has served in several distinguished leadership roles at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, an accredited graduate institution in Provo, Utah,

Egbert is the recipient of numerous industry and community awards for excellence in achievement, leadership, and service. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology (BYU), a master’s of education degree in instructional technology (AIU), and a doctor of philosophy degree in educational leadership (TUI). Egbert has authored works with national associations, private organizations, and her dissertation research on non-cognitive factors within hybrid doctoral education was published in the peer-reviewed International Journal of Web-based Learning and Teaching Technologies.

This article was featured by The Daily Herald at https://bit.ly/2FfrrRL.

News

5.6.19

RMUoHP Launches Healthcare & Higher Education Bi-Weekly Podcast

Inaugural podcasts of “The RMUpload – Advancing Knowledge, Advancing Healthcare” address emotional intelligence, infant plagiocephaly (flat areas of the head) and teenager concussion, and hand rehabilitation. The podcast was featured in The Daily Herald on 5.1.19 and is produced by Jon Smith.

Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions(RMUoHP) today launched The RMUpload – Advancing Knowledge, Advancing Healthcare podcast with topics on emotional intelligence, infant plagiocephaly (flat areas of the head) and teenager concussion issues, and hand rehabilitation. The bi-weekly podcast will feature stories and expertise on a variety of healthcare and education topics.

“At RMUoHP, we are fortunate to collaborate with so many content experts on healthcare, education, research, healthcare administration, and leadership,” said Dr. Jessica Egbert, executive vice president of strategy and engagement at RMUoHP. “Because service is essential to our mission, offering conveniently accessible, free education through the new podcast series is an opportunity to expand how we serve – in our own community and around the world.”

RMUpload launches with three inaugural podcasts that are now accessible:

A Primer in Emotional Intelligence

Featuring Michael Nelson, DHSc, PA-C (Department Chair and Program Director of Physician Assistant Studies) and Mace Hamblin, DHSc, MPA (Director of Clinical Education, Master of Physician Assistant Studies; Faculty, Doctor of Medical Science)

An introduction to the concept of emotional intelligence (EI) and its value in personal and professional life. We provide a brief overview of important principles within the EI construct, as well as examples of how these principles can be applied to common scenarios in our lives. This episode also wades into the physiological concepts of how emotions can affect the brain and overrides the brain’s ability to act in a logical way.

Positional Plagiocephaly & Pediatric Concussion Prevention

Featuring Ann M. Hoffman, PT, DScPT, PCS (Faculty, Doctor of Physical Therapy)

Plagiocephaly (flat areas of the head) occurs when developing babies continually hold their head in a preferred position without turning their head. The weight of the head provides pressure that causes flatness. Early detection and treatment are the best ways to prevent plagiocephaly, but once it occurs, many useful exercises and procedures can be utilized to correct it. In regard to the concussion, the best course of action is to do everything possible to prevent them by wearing safety helmets and equipment for sports participation and in other activities such as riding a bike or scooter.

Hand Rehabilitation: Melding Art, Science, Wellness, & Breath

Featuring Kristin Biggins, OTD, OTR/L, CHT, CYT-C (Elective Track Director for Hand Therapy, Doctor of Occupational Therapy)

Working with people who have injured their hands in a variety of ways want to do one main thing, and that is to get back to their lives as quickly as possible. A holistic approach to hand therapy is to go beyond just the medical approach and work on mobility within the areas where the patient wants to use their hands. Dr. Biggins discusses her career and the joy she experiences daily in the worlds of occupational therapy and yoga therapy.

The podcast originates from the RMUoHP campus and will feature faculty, administrators, and students and is available at the rm.edu.

Jon Smith, Travis Layne, Tyler Sommer. RMUpload

News

4.16.19

RMUoHP Physician Assistant Program Granted Accreditation-Continued Status

The Master of Physician Assistant (PA) Studies degree program at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions was granted Accreditation-Continued status by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). Accreditation-Continued status is granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA standards.

“This is another great success for Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions to help impact the future of healthcare,” said Mark J. Horacek, PT, PhD, executive vice president for Academic Affairs and Provost at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMUoHP). “The Physician Assistant program was awarded the status for 10-years, which is the maximum duration for a PA program. The accreditation status is a result of the previous five years of accreditation processes, institutional support, and outstanding program outcomes resulting from countless hours of dedication, planning and execution.”

Previously, the PA program held Accreditation-Provisional status. Following an initial site visit in 2014, a mid-cycle site visit in 2016, and a final provisional site visit in 2018, the program was granted Accreditation-Continued status.

According to the ARC-PA, “The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. has granted Accreditation-Continuedstatus to the Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. Accreditation-Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards.”

Physician Assistant Program Director Dr. Michael Nelson

“Receiving Accreditation-Continued status bolsters confidence in our graduate and future students who will know that the program provides the expected education for entry level Physician Assistants,” said Michael Nelson, DHSc, MPAS, PA-C, Department Chair and Master of Physician Assistant Studies program director at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. “The new status means the medical community has an additional source of Physician Assistant training to help meet the needs of the healthcare provider shortage in Utah and across the nation.”

The RMUoHP Masters of Physician Assistant Studies program is designed to educate outstanding clinicians equipped to handle the challenges of practicing medicine in a multifaceted and complex healthcare system. The program emphasizes a holistic patient-centered care approach, educating students not only in the foundational domains of medical knowledge and patient care, but also to:

approach complex health problems through sound clinical reasoning, with sensitivity for the unique situation and concerns of each individual patient,
leverage the powers of information technology and collaborative networking to make thoughtful, evidence-based decisions at the point-of-care,
master the art of connecting with patients of diverse characteristics and backgrounds, and
serve as ethical professionals who stand as examples and leaders in their communities and amongst their colleagues.

In addition to the Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree program, in 2019 RMUoHP began offering a new Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) degree program designed to expand PAs’ careers focused on skills, contributions, and leadership.

About Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions

Founded in 1998 and located in Provo, Utah, Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMUoHP) is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education. This accreditation is the highest achievable in the United States. RMUoHP offers graduate healthcare education exclusively and has a reputation for high-quality, evidence-based, and outcomes-oriented healthcare programs. www.rm.edu

News

2.26.19

New Doctor of Medical Science Degree Offered at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions

Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMUoHP) today announced a new degree program for physician assistants (PA). The new Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) program is designed to expand PAs’ careers focused on skills, contributions, and leadership.

“The DMSc program will allow students to make an increased positive impact on individuals, communities and organizations,” said Dr. Bartley Rust, DMSc Program Director at RMUoHP. “Even if a PA has no plans to seek leadership positions, the DMSc program allows students to increase knowledge, skills and leadership qualities.”

The DMSc program prepares PAs for leadership roles in clinical, administrative, and academic settings. PAs with active and unencumbered state licensure or NCCPA certification and a master or doctoral degree from a regionally-accredited institution are eligible for the DMSc program. The DMSc credential is valuable to all PAs, whether new graduates or seasoned practitioners looking for career advancement.

As a practicing physician assistant since 2001, Dr. Rust has been involved in PA education since 2006. He has also been actively involved in scholarly activity, having served on item writing committees and workgroups for the Physician Assistant Education Association PACKRAT and End of Rotation exams since 2012. He also serves on the review board for The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice.

The DMSc program is designed to accommodate working professionals who cannot leave their practice and relocate. The program can be completed in about four semesters and is entirely online allowing students to further their education while still continuing to meet personal and professional obligations.

The DMSc curriculum is evidence-based and has been developed by PAs with clinical, academic, and administrative experience and focuses on the knowledge and skills most applicable to advancing PAs’ career.

RMUoHP is accepting applications now through April 15, 2019 for the summer semester beginning May 6; and through August 12, 2019 for fall semester beginning Sept. 3. Each class size is 45.

Dr. Bartley Rust, RMUoHP Doctor of Medical Science Program Director

News

12.14.18

Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions Hosts Commencement Ceremony for 86 Doctoral Degree Candidates

Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMUoHP) celebrated 86 doctoral degree candidates of various healthcare specialties during its Friday commencement ceremonies.

Dr. Richard P. Nielsen PT, DHSc, ECS, founding president of RMUoHP, began the proceedings by addressing the students, “John Wesley said, ‘Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, In all the places you can, At all the times you can, To all the people you can, As long as ever you can [sic].’ That’s your charge, that’s your responsibility; to go forth and to do good, to build, to serve and to heal”

The graduating class receive their advanced degrees during the 20th Anniversary year of Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. Since its founding in 1998, there have been approximately 2,600 graduates in advanced healthcare specialties.

During his commencement speech, Dr. Michael Skurja, Jr., PT, DPT, ECS, co-founder and executive vice president of operations and director of continuing education, said, “I want to share with you three lessons I’ve learned over the years. First, be persistent. You will continue to face challenges. Second, develop communications skills. Communication between you and your patient is crucial. Take the time to listen and communicate clearly with them. Continue to be objective, don’t dwell on the past, seek wise counsel and persevere. Third, be respectful. You will be facing situations where you will be working with colleagues who have years of experience but who do not have a doctoral degree. They may recognize the ‘Dr.’ in front of your name or the initials behind, but that doesn’t mean they are automatically going to respect you. You have to earn their respect.”

“Treat your patients as individuals. Remember, integrity and your character are important. You should go the extra mile when necessary. Always practice evidence-based medicine. Avoid treatment fads. Read the literature and stay current.”

RMUoHP estimates that graduates currently treat tens-of-thousands of patients throughout the country every day, and over the course of their cumulative careers, will serve millions of people.

RMUoHP graduates experience:

a 97% student satisfaction rate
more than a 99% job placement rate
an overall graduation rate of 87%
a national board pass rate of 98-100%

During Saturday’s commencement, RMUoHP doctoral candidates represented the following degree programs:

RMUoHP is regionally accredited with the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education – the highest achievable in the United States. Additionally, RMUoHP is recognized for the following programmatic accreditation status:

APBTRFE—American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (Accreditation) – First PT neonatology fellowship program in the U.S.
ARC-PA—The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (Provisional Accreditation)
ASHA—Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Hearing-Language Pathology (Accreditation Candidacy)
CAPTE—Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (Accreditation)
CCNE—Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (Accreditation)

News

11.12.18

Community Rehabilitation Clinic in Utah County Receives Donation from The Kahlert Foundation

The Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions Foundation clinic provides pro-bono physical therapy rehab services for under-resourced residents.

The Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMUoHP) Community Rehabilitation Clinic received a $125,000 donation from The Kahlert Foundation to help fund the operations of the pro-bono rehabilitation clinic, which provides free care to the underserved and underinsured citizens of Utah County.

“This donation helps eliminate limitations of our ability to help people,” said Dr. Coleby Clawson, PT, DPT, director of Community Rehabilitation Clinic and assistant faculty member of the RMUoHP Doctor of Physical Therapy program. “It allows us to bring in more therapists, more administrative help, and much-needed equipment to help more people. It also allows us to extend our hours of operation to help people who are working to improve their lives and to reintegrate back into society.”

The donation was the second made to the clinic by The Kahlert Foundation in two years and was presented this week to Clawson and other clinic and RMUoHP staff and executives by Heather Kahlert, vice president of The Kahlert Foundation.

“Healthcare has always been an important part of the mission of our family’s foundation,” said Kahlert. “The RMUoHP Community Rehabilitation Clinic serves the disadvantaged community of Utah County. It helps people who have had surgeries and other medical procedures receive the physical therapy they need to complete their rehabilitation, so they feel better, and so they can return to their lives, families, and jobs. We are pleased to support this clinic and feel it is a model for others to follow in helping people with rehabilitation needs.”

The Community Rehabilitation Clinic (CRC) is the first of its kind in Utah County. It serves the uninsured and underserved citizens who need physical therapy rehabilitation. Most patients return to levels of normalcy, secure or continue employment and carry on productive and healthy lives and daily activity.

The CRC has a highly trained and skilled staff of licensed, qualified physical therapists and physical therapy assistants as well as Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students and faculty from RMUoHP, physical therapist volunteers from the community, and pre-physical therapy students from Brigham Young University and Utah Valley University.

The Kahlert Foundation provides grants to non-profit organizations to improve the quality of life and well-being of the community in the areas of health care, youth programs, education, veteran organizations, and human services.

“We are grateful for the support from The Kahlert Foundation and other donors who help fund and operate the CRC,” said Dr. Richard P. Nielsen, founding president of Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions who regularly works in the clinic seeing patients in his specialty area of clinical electrophysiology. “Together we can help many people each year receive the physical therapy services they need to heal, improve their health, and live active lives.”

RMUoHP also operates the Center for Communication Disorders – a second pro-bono clinic for the disadvantaged residents of Utah County providing speech-language pathology assessment and intervention for community members of all ages.

News

10.10.18

Provo Mayor Signs Property Title Transfer Clearing Path to Proposed Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine

Developer obtains property title; design and construction on new East Bay Golf holes to begin.

Following an extensive and productive process working with the Provo Mayor’s office, Provo Municipal Council and other involved parties to approve and obtain the location for the proposed Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine (NCOM), Provo Mayor Michelle Kaufusi signed a title transfer to the developer for Wasatch Educational to acquire the property.

The proposed medical school site location is on approximately 21 acres of the northwestern portion of the East Bay Golf Course, which was approved as surplus property by the Provo Municipal Council in January. An additional 7.8-acre contiguous parcel was purchased by the developer from a private source to expand the site location.

Under the agreement, the developers of the proposed medical education campus, which will include the proposed NCOM campus as well as the relocated Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions campus, will fund relocation costs of three current golf holes to the southeastern portion of the course. These new holes will be designed, relocated and playable before construction on the proposed medical education campus begins possibly by the end of 2018.

“This is an exciting time for Provo,” said Dr. John J. Dougherty, founding Dean and Chief Academic Officer of NCOM. “We are grateful for the work of Mayor Kaufusi, the Provo Municipal Council and City Administration to make this all come together for the benefit of the people of Provo and Utah. This planned medical education campus will give the students the opportunity to pursue whatever specialty they choose in medicine helping to address the growing medical shortages throughout the state.”

“Provo is a college town through and through,” said Kaufusi. “Education is at the heart of what we’re all about here. So, I’m very excited about the addition of a proposed medical school here in Provo.”

One of the critical goals of the proposed medical school is to recruit, train, and retain students in Utah. “Our plan is to have no less than 50 percent of our enrolled students from or with ties to Utah,” said Dougherty.

Along with other medical schools in Utah, the proposed NCOM would supply doctors to help offset a growing physician shortage. Research from the Utah Medical Association Council estimates that Utah will need approximately 375 new physicians each year to meet increasing access to healthcare needs. In 2015, the American Medical Association ranked Utah 49th in primary care physicians to population ratio and 43rd in overall physicians to population ratios.

Named after the Ray and Tye Noorda Foundation, who funded a significant portion of the money for the project, the proposed Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine is positioned to be a premier, world-class medical education and research institution. The proposed curriculum will be a new hybrid based on some of the most innovative and progressive medical education programs in North America designed to prepare physicians to provide high-quality healthcare with a focus on wellness.

The Noorda financial commitment, along with a significant funding commitment from the developer, provides the majority of the funds needed for construction and operation of the proposed Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine.

“The proposed NCOM will not cost the taxpayers a penny and may make a large economic impact to the county each year,” said Dougherty.

According to a recent independent economic impact study by Bonneville Research, the proposed Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine could potentially provide more than $62 million in the construction business, 236 construction-related jobs and bring more than 121 institution-related employment positions to the county. It may attract other health, medical, biomedical, biotechnology, retail, and related spin-off businesses.

In a later phase, a new Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions campus will be built adjacent to the proposed medical institution. At full operation, the local economic impact of the combined schools could be approximately $100 million annually and could include 1,500 jobs with more than $83 million in the construction business. All of this may increase the property tax base including an estimated $8 million directed to the Provo School District in the first 15 years.

The development plans include significant green space in and around the proposed medical education campus, creating a park-like atmosphere to protect and preserve the environment, nature, wildlife, and birdlife.

“Preserving the natural beauty and environment of the existing East Bay Golf Course and that wildlife and birdlife is undisturbed is one of our highest priorities,” said Dougherty. “We intend to have lots of green space, walking trails, biking trails, and preserving the existing golf course waterways as we design the proposed medical education campus.”

News

6.14.18

RMUoHP Opens Free Center for Communication Disorders

Speech-language pathology clinic open to the public.

Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMUoHP) will hold a ribbon cutting and open house for its new Center for Communications Disorders – a free clinic providing speech-language pathology assessment and intervention for community members of all ages.

Friday, June 15
3:30 -5:30 pm
561 E 1860 S, Provo, Utah 84606

The clinic provides speech, language, voice, fluency, and swallowing assessment and intervention services. It will also provide summer intensive treatment programs. It is under the direction of Wendy Chase, MA CCC-SLP, RMUoHP assistant professor and director of clinical education for MS SLP.

“Many people in our community have no idea they can receive help for communication disorders,” said Chase. “The RMUoHP Center for Communication Disorders provides a valuable service to all people with a variety of different speech disorders that in most cases can be easily identified and treated with professional expertise.”

The clinic is staffed by faculty and students in the Master of Speech-Language Pathology (MS SLP) program at RMUoHP. Services are available to anyone from the community who may be uninsured, or who do not have adequate insurance or where programs are not available.

It is open each Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. Select appointments are available on Mondays and Wednesdays.

“We are so excited to offer the Center for Communication Disorders to our local community,” said Dr. Richard Nielsen, founding president of Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. “The clinic helps fulfill our vision to advance the quality, delivery, and efficacy of healthcare.