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Physical Therapist Assistant Program Hosts Successful Open House
MOORHEAD, Miss. (Apr. 21, 2021) – Mississippi Delta Community College’s (MDCC) Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program hosted an open house at the Greenville Higher Education Center (GHEC) on April 13.
Despite rain and strong winds, people braved the weather to make their way through GHEC’s COVID precaution station and see the classrooms and labs of the PTA program in person. With the program currently being in its first year, this was an opportunity that not many have had.
“After accepting our 2nd class of PTA students and realizing we had an amazing amount of interest in our program, we decided that it would be great to showcase our program to the community,” said Dr. Callie Bell, PTA program director.
The open house saw students give tours of the labs and classrooms to members of the community and representatives from local hospitals and healthcare facilities. Bell explained that the involvement of the students was never in question from the very beginning.
“They did an amazing job of serving as hosts and as tour guides,” continued Bell. “We have a well- rounded group of PTA students who are all very proud to be a part of MDCC.”
Bell explained that the event was so successful that it will likely become an annual occurrence and that Dean of GHEC Operations Linda Clark and Dean of Health Sciences Patricia Kelly see this as a strong possibility due to the success of the inaugural event.
In the future, when COVID restrictions have been lifted; Bell, Clark and Kelly hope to invite high school and college students who have an interest in joining the PTA program. This will give those potential students the opportunity for a more hands-on feel for the program and enable them to interact with current PTA students.
The mission of the MDCC PTA program is to prepare graduates to be highly competent entry-level physical therapist assistants able to work under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist, and who can serve the community by improving the quality of life of a diverse patient population.
The program has an unwavering commitment to evidence based on contemporary practice, professionalism, ethical behavior, compassionate care, and life-long learning.