CHCS - Perspectives Winter/Spring 2016

36 • NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY I n August 2015, the Department of Physical Therapy hosted the inaugural dual-certification course in lymphedema and wound care, which was a collabo- rative effort between the Physical Therapy Program and the International Lymphedema and Wound Training Institute ( www.ilwti.com ) . Of the 19 participants who attended, two are adjunct faculty members at NSU—Tammy Boudreaux, M.S., PT, CLWT, and Frieda Menasche, D.P.T., PT, CEA, CLWT— and two are current physical therapy students at the Fort Lauderdale/Davie Campus. Valeria Bruno and Susan Valdes became the first PT students to successfully complete the course and earn their Certified Lymph- edema Wound Therapist (CLWT) designation. This unique course leading to dual certification is the first to combine comprehensive lymphedema and wound care training into 65 hours of online training, followed by 6 days of hands-on intensive skills involving complete decongestive therapy and various wound management interventions. Students learned the foundational skills for managing complex forms of lymphedema, as well as chronic wounds that often afflict patients suffering from lymphedema. Heather Hettrick, Ph.D., PT, CWS, CLT, CLWT, associate professor, has been instrumental in bringing CHCS Hosts Dual Certification Course From left: Frieda Menasche, adjunct professor at NSU; Susan Valdes and Valeria Bruno, D.P.T. students; and Heather Hettrick, associate professor at NSU and instructor/faculty adviser for ILWTI Physical Therapy FORT LAUDERDALE