SCC 2009 PTA graduates achieve 100% first-try pass rate

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By Dave Cazalet, Jr., SCC Director of Public Affairs

Graduates of the Somerset Community College Physical Therapist Assistant Program for 2009 have achieved a 100%, first-attempt pass rate on the national certification examination according to PTA Program Director Dr. Ron Meade.

2009 PTA Program graduates include Samantha Benedict, Somerset, KY; Lyn Bowling, Annville, KY; Barry Buchignani, Lexington, KY; Jeff Buis, Liberty, KY; April Callahan, Somerset, KY; Cyndi Clark, Liberty, KY; Rod Edwards, Somerset, KY; Ashton Floyd, Somerset, KY; Janna Napier, London, KY; Billie Owens, London, KY; Kim Rose, Monticello, KY; Melissa Scalf, Monticello, KY; Debbie Scharbrough, Stanford, KY; and Charlotte Upchurch, Columbia, KY.

"We are so proud of this group," stated Meade. "They have worked so hard for the past two years and really deserve to be recognized for their efforts. They were an absolute joy to work with and I know they will make many positive differences in the lives of their patients in the future."

This is the third year in a row that the program's graduates have achieved the milestone. In 2008, only nineteen other programs nationwide achieved a 100% first-attempt pass rate. This pass rate will place the program in a tie for a first place ranking based upon pass rates by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy when the rankings are released next spring.

Several of the 2009 graduates have been recognized by the American Physical Therapy Association nationally. Rod Edwards of Somerset was named the APTA National PTA Student of the Year and was presented the award by APTA President Scott Ward in Baltimore in June. Jeff Buis of Liberty was elected to the APTA Student Assembly Board of Directors and received the prestigious McMillan Scholarship award in Baltimore, as well. Barry Buchignani of Lexington was named the APTA National Orthopaedic Student of the Year and a winner of the APTA's Geriatrics Sections Educational Brochure Design Competition along with classmates Cyndi Clark of Liberty and Janna Napier of London. All were recognized in proclamations by the Kentucky House of Representatives. The class also participated in the winning effort in the 2009 Georgia State-Marquette Challenge, a national fundraiser for physical therapy research. All students enrolled in the program were recipients of academic scholarships, academic awards, or both while enrolled in the program.

This story was posted on 2009-07-13 18:44:40
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