Allyson Dover is a 2020 graduate of the UMES Physical Therapy Program. She received her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and minor in Dance cum laude from Old Dominion University in 2015.
Aly was awarded the Joseph Beatus Student Award for Excellence in Patient-Centered Care during the UMES Department of Physical Therapy graduation ceremony on September 11, 2020.
The UMES Department of Physical Therapy Joseph Beatus Award for Excellence in Patient-Centered Care is given in honor of Dr. Beatus, who was an Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. He was an integral part of the program for 30 years, and retired in 2013. The criteria for selection attempts to embody the treatment approach and style demonstrated by Dr. Beatus, who made a lasting impression on his students. For three decades, his philosophy of providing high-quality, effective, patient-centered care has been instilled in all of his students.
Aly was placed at an outpatient physical therapy practice, Pivot Physical Therapy in Suffolk, Virginia with two amazing clinical instructors over a 16 week period. At first Aly was placed with Dr. Tory Bishop who has over 30 + years of experience as a PT, mentor, and educator. For the remaining eight weeks, she was placed with Dr. Danielle Hinkey who continued to mentor and challenge Aly. In their clinic she was introduced to Pelvic Health, vestibular, TMD, amputations, performance personal training, w/c evaluations and challenging cases with workers comp injuries and complex medical histories. Despite her lack of experience in new areas, she demonstrated professionalism, researched each topic and consulted with her clinical instructors to make sure she showed confidence and understanding of the patient’s case.
Allyson exemplifies all the characteristics that this award recognizes: 1) works to uphold a high quality of care, 2) seeks out patient’s individual goals, needs, values to help establish a PT plan of care, 3) develop a positive relationship with her patients that helps boost patient confidence and trust, 4) shows awareness in billing for being cost effective for the clinic while still emphasizing patient satisfaction, and lastly 5) is creative and hands on to give the best individualized treatment for her patient.
Dr. Hinkey nominated Allyson because she did not shy away from being introduced to new areas of expertise. Her compassion and caring extended to advocacy by fighting for DME reimbursement for one patient to creating a specialty PT program for dancers. Aly mirrors APTA’s vision by optimizing movement to improve the human experience.
The department will always remember her confidence, kindness, poise, and ability to connect with others. Congratulations Allyson.
