Join the 2005 Pittsburgh-Marquette challenge.

Marquette University, the University of Pittsburgh, and the Foundation encourage all physical therapist and physical therapist assistant education programs to participate in the 2005 Pittsburgh-Marquette Challenge. The Challenge fundraising kits were mailed to all directors of physical therapy education programs in September, and, upon request, will be mailed to directors of physical therapist assistant education program. The Challenge is a student-led, grassroots effort that raises funds for research projects. To date, the following research grants have been funded by the Challenge:

Christian C Evans, PT, PhD, MSPT, of the Physical Therapy Department at Midwestern University, was awarded a grant for "Effects of Exercise Training and Unloading by Left Ventricular Assist Device on Cardiac Physiology and Functional Ability in Patients With Heart Failure."

Neva Kirk-Sanchez, PT, MSPT, PhD, Assistant Professor at the College of Health and Urban Affairs, School of Health, Florida International University, was awarded a grant for her research project, "Factors Related to Adherence to a Home Exercise Program After Discharge Dom Outpatient Physical Therapy."

John Childs, PT, PhD, MBA, OCS, FAAOMPT, T.R.U.E. Research Foundation, was awarded a grant for the project, "Effectiveness of an Extension-Oriented Intervention in Patients With Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial," that evaluates the effectiveness of physical therapist practice.

Students and program directors attending the 2004 National Student Conclave in Charlotte, NC, on October 22-24, 2004, are eligible for raffle prizes when they commit to participating in the 2005 Challenge. Please visit the Foundation's Web site, http://www.apta.org/ Foundation/Events_Activities/ 2004Challenge to sign up for this year's Challenge or to view a list of the 2004 winning schools. For more information, contact Nicole Orton at 800/999-2782, ext 8595, or [e-mail].