Paula Smith was honored with the Golisano Health Leadership Award during a surprise presentation in front of her first-year Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students.
Presented by Special Olympics Vermont Director Alex Gilman and an athlete Smith has worked with through the program, the award recognizes leaders who have made significant contributions to improving access to health, fitness, and wellness services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
Smith, a clinical associate professor and clinical education director in UVM’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program, has been involved with Special Olympics Vermont for a decade. Through that partnership, DPT students participate in several Special Olympics events each year.
Students take part in the Fun Fitness screening program as part of their Psychosocial Aspects of Health and Wellness course. Developed by the American Physical Therapy Association, the screenings assess flexibility, endurance, strength, and coordination while giving students hands-on experience working with athletes and their families. Smith notes that the data collected also contributes to a growing understanding of how best to support people with IDD.
Working with Special Olympics athletes and their families helps students develop communication, observation, and relationship-building skills that will serve them throughout their careers. Health equity is another important lesson, with an emphasis on ensuring that care is tailored to meet each patient’s needs.
“They're learning technical skills, they're learning communication skills,” Smith says. “And I think they walk away better equipped.”
Smith says the partnership also reflects UVM’s commitment to service and community engagement. Over the years, students have volunteered at sites across Vermont, and she hopes to expand those opportunities in the future.
One of the most rewarding outcomes, she adds, is seeing graduates carry that commitment to service into their professional lives.
“Physical therapy is an art and a science,” Smith says. “There's a strong scientific foundation to what we do, but the art lies in the connection between the practitioner and the patient.”
The Golisano Health Leadership Award is the highest Special Olympics honor for health partners and recognizes leaders and organizations advancing health equity for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.