Hosted by Pediatric FIN
Virtual
Join us for a presentation on what is evidenced-based practice in the NICU and PICU.
The target audience for this presentation is physical therapists, physical therapist assistants and students. The presentation will be virtual and expect to learn competencies surrounding the NICU and PICU. Many of the children that are followed in birth to three and require school based physical therapy have been in the NICU or PICU. A discussion on what happens in the NICU and PICU will give the therapists a perspective of what goes on with the children who are born prematurely or have conditions that require hospitalization after birth.
Eligible for 2 contact hours
Objectives:
1) Understand the role of a NICU physical therapist
2) Understand the role of a PICU physical therapist
3) Provide updates on current practices in the NICU
4) Provide updates on current practices in the PICU
5) Provide updates on current progress occurring in our own state
Presented by
Rachel Rudewicz PT, DPT Board Certified Pediatric Specialist
Stephanie DePaolo, PT, DPT
Presenter(s) bio
Hi, I’m Rachel Rudewicz, an inpatient physical therapist at Connecticut Children’s Hospital. I earned my Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree from Drexel University in 2018 and began my career as an outpatient physical therapist at Connecticut Children’s shortly after graduation. In 2021, I became a Board-Certified Pediatric Clinical Specialist and transitioned into a full-time inpatient pediatric physical therapist. I primarily work in the PICU and medical-surgical units. I serve as the primary inpatient residency mentor for the Connecticut Children’s and Sacred Heart pediatric residency program. I also coordinate student observers and schedule integrated inpatient and outpatient visits. In addition, I am one of the physical therapists who treats patients in our Hemophilia Treatment Center. I am also proud to have played a key role in helping Connecticut Children’s achieve bariatric accreditation. Outside of work, I’m a proud mom to my 9-month-old daughter and a dog mom to two pups (ages 7 and 4). I love spending time with family and friends, staying active, and running.
Hi, my name is Stephanie DePaolo and I am a physical therapist at Connecticut Children’s. I graduated from the DPT program at Quinnipiac University in 2017. I started working with a 50/50 split in inpatient (PICU and med surg) and outpatient pediatrics, transitioning to fully inpatient with some outpatient clinics over the years. I have worked in aquatics and early intervention as well. Currently, the majority of my time is spent in the neonatal ICU (NICU), and I also work in our NICU follow-up clinic and hemophilia treatment center. In addition to being a PT, I am a mom of an 8 month old baby boy, and a wife to another PT! I love to cook! I enjoy yoga, reading, spending time outdoors, and being with my family and friends.
