The delivery and management of high-quality health care requires the knowledge and talents of many different health care professionals, each of whom plays an integral part in the overall health care team. Practitioners with formal education and clinical training have crucial roles in prevention, diagnosis and therapy. They work in many different environments such as hospitals, specialized-care facilities, schools, the performing arts, government, and more.

Employment in health care occupations is strong and will continue to grow in the coming years driven by the increasing demands of an aging population and longer life expectancies. Working in health care is interesting and rewarding. Please explore the programs the department offers. One of them might be just right for you!

 

Featured News & Kudos

5/24/13

Undergraduate Publishes Peer-Reviewed Article

Health sciences pre-clinical major Chase Cavayero is the author of a peer-reviewed article published this spring in the University of Central Florida Undergraduate Research Journal. "Under the professional mentoring of Dr. Michael Rovito, he successfully pursued a rigorous course of research resulting in the peer-reviewed publication of his article, 'A Practicality Analysis Pertaining to Minimally Invasive Robot-Assisted Urologic Surgery,'" wrote Tison Pugh, editor of the journal.

Read Cavayero's article at www.urj.ucf.edu.

5/21/13

Schack Dugre Speaks at Leadership Institute

Physical therapy Instructor Judi Schack Dugre spoke on "Leading with Integrity" at The Institute for Leadership in Physical Therapy, held May 18-19 at UCF. The institute invited her to make the presentation as part of an overall course titled "Leading Others: Adaptive and Transformational Leadership in Physical Therapy" for members of the American Physical Therapy Association.

5/10/13

Rothschild Offers Advice on Switching to Barefoot Running

WFTV Channel 9 Orlando recently turned to Carey Rothschild, instructor of physical therapy, to learn how runners should switch from running in athletic shoes to running barefoot. Watch the segment

5/1/13

Saleh Receives Collegewide Teaching Excellence Award

Congratulations to Assistant Professor Suha Saleh, director of the Program in Health Sciences–Pre-Clinical, on her receipt of a College of Health and Public Affairs' Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award for 2012-13!

Learn about this dedicated faculty member's teaching philosophy at http://bit.ly/17YlPp6.

 

 

1/23/13

Teaching in the Tech Age Poses Challenges

Assistant Professor Suha Saleh, director of the Program in Health Sciences–Pre-Clinical, recently shared her thoughts on what it's like to teach students who use electronic devices in the classroom in an article written by Emon Reiser for the Central Florida Future. Read the article

 

1/8/13

Rothschild Offers Tips for Runners

 

In a local TV segment, Carey Rothschild, instructor of physical therapy, recently offered tips for runners on how to assess their body strength. Watch the segment

 

10/11/12

HSPC Students Host World Sight Day

The second Thursday of October is World Sight Day, a time to bring awareness of vision disorders and vision health to the forefront. This year Dr. Suha Saleh and students of the Health Sciences Pre-Clinical program set up information tables in front of HPA-I and the Student Union and invited students, faculty, and staff to participate in games and activities while learning about eye diseases. Visitors were encouraged to use the vision tester to check their eyesight. Dr. Saleh collaborated with Lions Club International to collect used glasses to be distributed to people in need. The drop boxes are located at the Recreation & Wellness building, HPA-I and HPA-II. Collection goes through the end of October.

 

 

10/10/12

Health Sciences Pre-Clinical Major Hosts 3rd Annual Meet & Greet Social

The 3rd Annual Health Sciences Pre-Clinical Meet & Greet Social was held on October 10, 2012 with the help of APPA, the Association of Pre-Physician Assistants, and UPTA, the Undergraduate Physical Therapy Association. Students had the opportunity to meet with health sciences pre-clinical and health professions faculty, staff, and fellow peers. Thanks to the students, volunteers, and faculty, the event was a success!

 

9/26/12

D.P.T. students Study Pediatric Physical Therapy

Second-year students in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program recently observed babies and toddlers during a lab on human development milestones (photo) as part of the course, "Pediatric Physical Therapy." The course provides a foundation in gestation and normal development and covers disorders and diseases encountered in pediatric physical therapy. "This lab provided a foundation for future labs, such as one this week in which we will look at children with different diagnoses, including Down syndrome," said Instructor Jennifer Tucker.

Click photo to enlarge

 

9/18/12

Athletic Training Students Highlighted in UCF Sports Medicine Video

A new video about UCF Sports Medicine highlights the importance of student athletic trainers to the program. "The athletic training students do an absolutely great job," said Assistant Athletic Trainer Jud Fann, a 2003 graduate of UCF's athletic training program. "They're a huge asset to what we do." Students Caitlin "Katie" Michaels (photo, left) and Michelle Galvin (right) are featured in the video. Watch the video

 

8/30/12

Health Sciences Pre-Clinical Major Among UCF's Most Popular

Enrollment in the health sciences pre-clinical major has surpassed 2,000 students this fall, making it one of the most popular majors at UCF. Reaching this milestone is all the more remarkable given that the program began just six years ago with 224 students. Learn more

 

7/27/12

The Olympics and Bare Feet: What Have We Learned?

Physical therapy Instructor Carey Rothschild studies bare foot running. Her research shows that there are risks to running no matter what someone puts on his or her feet. Learn more

 

Rothschild (center) teaching in a physical therapy lab	Watch Rothschild's interview about barefoot running on Fox 35 News	Listen to/read a radio interview with Rothschild and other experts
Read more in Men's Health Rothschild also shared her expertise in the October 2012 issue of Men's Health.	Read Rothchild's commentary in "Barefoot runner in Altamonte Springs turns heads during daily commute" (Orlando Sentinel, 12/26/12)

Dr. Schellhase Earns Prestigous Award

Congratulations to Dr. Kristen Schellhase, program director and interim chair for the Department of Health Professions. She received the 2012 NACADA Outstanding Advising Certificate of Merit for Faculty Academic Advising. Read more.

 

Congratulations Dr. Hanney!

Congratulations to Dr. William Hanney. Not only has he successfully defended his Ph.D., he has also been awarded the 2011 Strength and Conditioning journal editorial award in recognition of his service to the association.

 

Welcome Aboard Brianna Moore

A big welcome to Brianna Moore, new office assistant for the Doctorate in Physical Therapy program. Brianna received her B.A. in Hospitality Management from the Rosen College and is a wonderful addition to the staff.

 

Thank You Altamonte Crossfit

The Program in Athletic Training extends a very big thank you to the folks at Altamonte Crossfit. Each year they allow the students in the program to work with their staff to learn the proper techniques for Olympic weightlifting. The experience is invaluable to the students.