Hello wonderful members of the Section on Oncology! Loraine tells me that as your new section president, I should introduce myself, so here is a little bit of information. I am Professor and Director of the University of Puget Sound Physical Therapy Program, which is located in Tacoma, Washington in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. I joined the UPS faculty in 1983, after graduating from University of Washington in 1975, and eight years of physical therapy practice in pediatric and then orthopedic settings. Working at Children’s Medical Center (then Children’s Orthopedic Hospital) back in 1979 I had the opportunity to work with a number of children with childhood cancers, though back then we did not have the wonderful community that has since evolved in our Section on Oncology. We have so much more opportunity to improve quality of care and efficacy now that we have a community of caring clinicians and scholars to collaborate with.
Fast forward to 1983, and then 1997, the years in which each of my parents died of cancer. Each of them encountered health professionals, especially nurses and oncologists, who were just wonderful with them and helped them not just by delivering treatment, but by facilitating their best ability to be full in their humanity. But each of them also encountered health professionals, in one case a memorably uninformed physical therapist, who added to their agony by practicing from a point of ignorance about cancer. I made a resolution to see to it that at least the graduates of our PT program would be well-informed about cancer and about how it is experienced by patients. With the incredible benefit of a grant from a wonderful and supportive alumnus, and expert consultation from the fantastic Charlie McGarvey, we developed an enhancement in oncology across our curriculum in 1997 and we have been honing it ever since. I joined the Oncology Section back then to learn about the issues of importance in this practice area and found so much more than information. I found an indescribable group of people who had learned from their own experiences with cancer (as patients, treating therapists, or both) a quality of life affirmation that they wore on their sleeves. What a pleasure it was and is to work with the members of this section! I take this office over from one of the more energetic and dynamic individuals I have ever met (Nicole) and I hope that though my style is different (being an old dog and all) I will be able to make a contribution of value to this Section and effectively guide you through the realization of our strategic plan. I look forward to some special years and hope you will all rise up to help in the support of what is surely the most special section in the APTA! All of your energies are needed!
With best wishes,
Kathie Hummel-Berry
