Coronavirus and COVID-19
Greetings to all my former students! Well, life is certainly interesting right now. I hope you are all safe and staying at home if you are able. Those of you working in health care are essential providers; please know that I keep you in my prayers.
I hope all of you, whether working in health care or not, remember the lessons you learned in PT/OT/Sports Med. You already know how to wash your hands correctly for twenty seconds. You already know the importance of not touching your face. And you learned airborne isolation precautions so you know the virus can spread via talking, singing, laughing, sneezing and coughing. You know that you need to maintain 6 feet of distance to stay out of range of the droplets. And at this point you should assume everyone outside your home is infected. Do you remember learning about fomites in the chain of infection? Fomites are the objects that the virus can survive on, and this coronavirus seems to have an exceptionally long life. So I hope you are using disinfectant (Clorox wipes or even a bleach/water solution - 1/3 cup bleach per 1 gallon of water OR 2 tablespoons bleach per 1 quart water). Please stay safe and I hope everyone stays healthy. All my best wishes, Mrs. Birchler
p.s. A significant number of my email addresses are no longer valid, so please forward this to any classmates with whom you are still in touch. Thanks! And if anyone would like to send an update, I'm still keeping this website active.
ps ... How many of you remember Glo-germ and the black light? :-)
I hope all of you, whether working in health care or not, remember the lessons you learned in PT/OT/Sports Med. You already know how to wash your hands correctly for twenty seconds. You already know the importance of not touching your face. And you learned airborne isolation precautions so you know the virus can spread via talking, singing, laughing, sneezing and coughing. You know that you need to maintain 6 feet of distance to stay out of range of the droplets. And at this point you should assume everyone outside your home is infected. Do you remember learning about fomites in the chain of infection? Fomites are the objects that the virus can survive on, and this coronavirus seems to have an exceptionally long life. So I hope you are using disinfectant (Clorox wipes or even a bleach/water solution - 1/3 cup bleach per 1 gallon of water OR 2 tablespoons bleach per 1 quart water). Please stay safe and I hope everyone stays healthy. All my best wishes, Mrs. Birchler
p.s. A significant number of my email addresses are no longer valid, so please forward this to any classmates with whom you are still in touch. Thanks! And if anyone would like to send an update, I'm still keeping this website active.
ps ... How many of you remember Glo-germ and the black light? :-)
Alumni Networking Event 2018
Another perfect day of weather on May 29, 2018 for gathering at Carroll Park to greet former students and have them share their college experiences with current students. There were so many people coming and going that Mrs. Birchler didn't get a large group photo but lots of class photos. Please see individual years for more updates.
Class of 2008/2009 - Kristen Kuehne
Class of 2011/2012 - Tyler Janish
Class of 2012/2013 - Karistia Biddle
Class of 2014/2015 - Alexis Elliott
Class of 2015/2016 - Emilie Hosmer
Class of 2016/2017 - Nicole Bishop, Courtney Mielens; Rachel Bebee, Nicole Bero, Mackenzie Bickham, Courtney Krause, Cole Martin
Class of 2008/2009 - Kristen Kuehne
Class of 2011/2012 - Tyler Janish
Class of 2012/2013 - Karistia Biddle
Class of 2014/2015 - Alexis Elliott
Class of 2015/2016 - Emilie Hosmer
Class of 2016/2017 - Nicole Bishop, Courtney Mielens; Rachel Bebee, Nicole Bero, Mackenzie Bickham, Courtney Krause, Cole Martin
Retirement plans
Yes, after much debate, Mrs. Birchler is retiring at the end of this school year, 2017/2018. It was a bittersweet decision - I am looking forward to more time with my grandchildren, but I will miss teaching. It has been my pleasure and honor to work with so many amazing, committed students. It's even more wonderful to hear back from all of you and learn which career paths you have chosen. Please stay in touch and I will keep updating this web site!
Alumni Networking Event 2017
The weather was perfect on May 30, 2017 and fifteen alumni/alumnae attended to reconnect with former classmates and offer words of advice for college or a second year at the Career Center. See Class of 2015/2016 tab for updates.
Photo on left from left to right: Eden Parker, Julia Flory, Kayla Wallace, Taylor Anderson, Kelsie Moe, Cole Ordiway
Photo on right from left to right: Devin Myers-Sass, Lance Cameron, Kaitlyn Gromaski, Jordyn Mahar, Jacob Gillman, Maddison Sutter, Erin Cummings, Abby Leinberger, Kayla Wallace
Photo on left from left to right: Eden Parker, Julia Flory, Kayla Wallace, Taylor Anderson, Kelsie Moe, Cole Ordiway
Photo on right from left to right: Devin Myers-Sass, Lance Cameron, Kaitlyn Gromaski, Jordyn Mahar, Jacob Gillman, Maddison Sutter, Erin Cummings, Abby Leinberger, Kayla Wallace
Alumni Networking Event 2016
It was perfect weather for a picnic at Carroll Park. Morning session had eight alumni visitors - Aubrey Mielens from 2012/2013 with her little sister Ashley, a current student (top left), and several students from 2014/2015 including from left to right in the center photo, Jordan Federer, Kendra Zaucha, Harmoni Tipmore, Heather Gross, Faith Nesbitt, Katie Polisano and Taylor Hausbeck. They enjoyed looking at their class scrapbook. Afternoon attendees included from left to right in the bottom photo, Michael Walther, class of 2013/2014 and Alexis Elliott, Olivia Gonzales and Tamera Slater from the Class of 2014/2015. See individual class news for updates from all attendees.
HOSA volunteers 2016
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It was team effort from multiple class years. Mrs. Birchler put out the call for help with HOSA regional competition at SVSU on January 6, 2016 and she had almost a complete team of former students for the Physical Therapy event. From left to right, Katie (not from our program but a student in SVSU's MSOT program), Drew Davis (am -2013/2014), Chelsea Jeske (am - 2012/2013), Kristi Stout (a current student), Katie Card (am - 2011/2012). Taylor Gerhardt (am - 2013/2014), and Breanna Jacobs (am - 2012/2013). In addition, Kristen Kuehne (am - 2008/2009) was Section Leader for the Sports Medicine event (see Kristen's update on her class page).
Alumni/Alumnae Networking Event 2016
It was a small group this year - four in the morning and three in the afternoon - but Mrs. Birchler heard from lots of students who were unable to attend. See class years (2011/2012, 2012/2013, and 2013/2014) for photos and updates.
Alumni/Alumnae Networking Event 2014
The skies were threatening and it was hot and humid, but Mrs. Birchler was thrilled to see so many former students at Carroll Park on May 27, 2014. Morning session visitors included Kristen Kuehne (2008/2009-am); Brett Adcock, Cameron Ciesielski, Kirby Courier, Chris Dowd, Garrett Galbraith, Breanna Jacobs, and Chelsea Jeske (2011/2012-am); Stacie Finkbeiner, Sofia Gutierrez, Bryce MacDonald, Alyn Metevia, Krislyn Rozek, Darian Willett (2012/2013-am). Afternoon visitors included Madison (Mad Dog) Zimmerman, Rebekah Rudnick, Lexie Jacobs, Haley Kowalski, Kellie Neering (2012/2013-pm); Chelsea Gwizdala and Jackie Downs (2011/2012-pm). Some people had so much fun that they came for both the morning and afternoon sessions (Darian, Sofia, Breanna, and Chelsea J). Please see individual class years for updates.
Annual Alumni/Alumnae Networking Event 2013
It was a wet chilly day, but 18 alumni/alumnae braved the rain to come to Carroll Park on May 28, 2013. Individual updates are under the class year. Garrett, Chris and Cameron went swinging despite the drizzle (top left). Jenae', Andy and Kristen (top center). Chelsea, Jordan and Kaylynn (top right). Samantha, Austin and Lindsey (bottom left). Matt, Morgan, Adam, and Chelsea (bottom center). Kara and Cassidy were also present but left before photos.
In Memoriam - August 2012
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Many of you should remember Jeff Coupie. He was a guest speaker about SCI and adaptive sports. He also directed Thunder in the Valley, a competitive event at SVSU for disabled athletes. We were able to participate as volunteers at Thunder in the Valley for the past three years. David and Albert (AM Class of 2009/2010) also volunteered for a wheelchair rugby event at Delta College that Jeff organized. Mrs. Birchler learned that Jeff died on August 5, 2012. He will certainly be missed by many.
2012 NETWORKING EVENT
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It was great to see so many alumni and alumnae. Most of the alums came to the morning gathering. The weather was perfect at Carroll Park.
Class of 2008/2009: Kristen Kuehne
Class of 2009/2010: Briana Dery, Russell Leonard; Amanda Fegan, Jason Klopf
Class of 2010/2011: Ashley Burpee, Jorden Gary, Austin Johnson, Andy Leppek, Haley Lomba, Riley Pashak, Tyler Piotrowski, Jenae' Snyder, Sawyer Stanley; Stepfanie Kill