Photo By Sgt. Lynnwood Thomas | Maj. Nathan Parsons, KFOR physical therapist with Task Force Medical, and Arbnore...... read more read more
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CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo – Some KFOR Soldiers find ways to involve themselves in the Kosovo community beyond the call of duty. U.S. Army Maj. Nathan Parsons, KFOR physical therapist with Task Force Medical, gave a lecture to physical therapy students at the University of Pristina, Dec. 6, in Pristina, Kosovo.
Parsons said taking the knowledge he has acquired and sharing it with the local community is a way to help grow and sustain the physical therapy field in Kosovo.
“Being a part of KFOR, we’re not allowed to treat or evaluate local patients,” Parsons said. “They have very capable providers here, but the best way we can do outreach and improve their community healthcare is by teaching their providers current best evidence and standards that I’ve received in advanced training.”
Parsons’ has a doctorate degree in physical therapy, focused on teaching and research. He centered his lecture on patellar tendinopathy, an injury that affects the knee. This was his third appearance as a guest lecturer.
During his first lecture in November, he spoke about shoulder stabilization surgery and the associated rehabilitation. His second covered clinical reasoning and interviewing patients.
Parsons said he takes on these classes as a project of passion and that it’s fulfilling, but he also sees it is an opportunity to be influential as an American Soldier.
“I think this is still building goodwill between the university and the American and NATO presence,” he said. “I enjoy teaching and it’s something that we are less restricted on being able to do in this mission, so I think this is a good way to positively affect relations in this region.
He said the work he puts into his lectures is valuable for himself and the students too.
”It’s good experience for me and I feel like I’m able to offer something of benefit to the students and local providers,” he said.
Dr. Hajrije Hundozi-Hysenaj, coordinator of the school’s Department of Physiotherapy, said having Parsons as a guest lecturer satisfies one goal –inter-institutional cooperation– in the Physiotherapy Bachelor study program.
In the program, students are offered the latest scientific and practical knowledge related to physiotherapy. Hundozi-Hysenaj said since physiotherapy includes different treatment methods, it is important to include different teaching perspectives.
“Maj. Parsons demonstrated excellent presentation skills including academic and practical knowledge,” she said. “It was the request of the students to have lectures in the field of sports medicine and the treatment of neurological pathologies.”
Parsons is continuing his outreach with a five-part lecture series on total body manual therapy treatment techniques targeting licensed physical therapists in the Kosovo region.
“This will be certified for continuing education credit through [the Kosovo Chamber of Physical Therapy],” Parsons said. “We’re helping to spread the ability of physical therapists, the community I can help the most.”
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| Date Taken: | 12.06.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 12.26.2019 14:04 |
| Story ID: | 357292 |
| Location: | CAMP BONDSTEEL, ZZ |
| Web Views: | 220 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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