Carlos Thompson
Carlos Thompson, a licensed physical therapy assistant at Siskin Hospital for Physical Rehabilitation, was recently voted the Clinical Instructor of the Year by the Chattanooga State Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) Program.
A Clinical Instructor Luncheon was held May 6 at the new Health Science Center on the Chattanooga State campus. Cindy Birchell, academic coordinator of clinical instruction, presented the Clinical Instructor of the Year award to Mr. Thompson, who is a graduate of the PTA program at Chattanooga State Community College.
Determination of this award is by nomination from students, academic clinical faculty, and the Association of Community and Continuing Education. Recognition is given to a clinical instructor who had demonstrated exceptional efforts on behalf of clinical education with Chattanooga State students during the previous year. The award recipient must have consistent positive comments by students over the past year, faculty recommendation, clinical observations by academic faculty when visiting students in a clinical setting, clinical instructor participation in thorough completion of student assessments, and clinical instructor frequency of providing student supervision.
"Carlos has been a faithful clinical instructor for many years. Having been an excellent student and graduate from our PTA program, he is very aware of the need for quality clinical instructors to help students apply skills they have learned in the classroom/laboratory and to learn new innovative techniques," Laura Warren, PT, MS, associate professor and PTA program director at Chattanooga State, said.
Mr. Thompson has worked at Siskin Hospital since 1990 and was able to complete his degree from Chattanooga State while working full time and raising a family. Mr. Thompson's passion for excellence in physical therapy and instruction provides students with the opportunity to excel in their education and establish necessary skills for quality patient care. Students commented at the Clinical Instructor Luncheon that Mr. Thompson is a great teacher who has a gentle way of correcting mistakes while learning.
Ms. Warren said, "While being a clinical instructor does provide contact hours for continuing competency, which is a state requirement for re-licensure, Carlos takes his professional responsibility very seriously. We appreciate Siskin Hospital's historically strong support of our students through clinical education."
Aileen San Luis, Siskin Hospital inpatient physical therapy supervisor, said, "Siskin Hospital has a good working partnership with Chattanooga State. Most of our PTAs are graduates of Chattanooga State. The success we jointly share with them is due to the professionalism of Carlos and the other PTAs who participate as Clinical Instructors, because they believe in what they do and do it well."