April Lee Coward

American Heart Association Basic Life Support (CPR), July 2024 - Current

STEADI, April 2025

The Nichols Center, Inpatient Rehab, January 2026-March 2026

• Gained experience evaluating and treating patients with neurological, orthopedic, and complex medical conditions along with implementing interventions including gait training, therapeutic exercise, balance training, and functional mobility tasks.
• Collaborated with an interdisciplinary team (e.g., occupational therapy, speech therapy, nursing, and physicians) to coordinate comprehensive, patient-centered care.

Performance Therapy Crystal Springs, Outpatient Orthopedics, June 2025-July 2025

• Gained experience providing physical therapy interventions for patients with orthopedic, post-surgical, and sports-related conditions.
• Gained knowledge in therapeutic exercise prescription, manual therapy techniques, and functional movement assessments.

St. Francis Medical Center, Acute Care, August 2024-October 2024

• Gained experience providing physical therapy interventions to critically ill patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), focusing on early mobility, functional endurance, and respiratory precautions.
• Collaborated with an interdisciplinary healthcare team to develop and implement individualized patient discharge plans, ensuring safe transitions of care and continuity of rehabilitation.
• Collaborated with Clinical Instructor to develop and deliver an in-service presentation on transfer training for newly hired staff.

Capital Orthopedics Clinton, MS, Physical Therapy Technician, June 2021 - May 2023

• Guide and teach patient’s therapeutic exercises as instructed by the therapist
• Ensure each therapy station is sanitary and prepared for each patient’s treatment.
• Schedule patients in relation to the therapist's schedule.
• Assist the receptionist and PTs with various office tasks, such as making copies, answering phones, and scanning documents.

Sports Elective II, Fall 2025

Mechanism-Based Assessment and Clinical Reasoning for Persistent Pain, July 2025

Sports Elective I, Spring 2025

Anatomy Elective, Summer 2024

Observations: 

• UMMC Friday Night Clinic, 2 hours
• Performance Therapy Sports, 12 hours
• Belhaven Training Room, 8 hours

High School Game Coverage, Fall 2025

• Clinton High School vs Murrah High School
• Tricounty Academy vs Central Hinds Academy
• Clinton High School vs Oxford High School

Continuing Education Units (CEUs):

• APTA-MS State Conference 2025, Jackson, MS - 15.5 Hours
• Combined Sections Meeting 2025, Houston, MS - 18 Hours
• UMMC Related, 2023-2025, Jackson, MS - 0.8 CEUs

Presentations:

Palen M, Burgess B, Chander S, Lee A, Warnick E, Lauderdale M. Effects of integrating board preparatory software with traditional study methods on a DPT program’s board passing rates and scores.

• APTA-MS Conference, Jackson, MS, September 2025
• SHRP Research Day, Jackson, MS, April 2025

Ongoing Research/investigation:

Lin S, Lauderdale M, Brown M, Holt K, Bradford A, Lee A, Palen M, Warnick E. “Effects of Implementation of Board Preparatory Software on UMMC DPT Program’s Board Passing Rates.” UMMC Institutional Review Board Approved.

Core Planning Group for UMMC Block Party, Fall 2025

• Promoted physical therapy principles by creating engaging, accessible experiences that highlighted the importance of mobility, strength, and balance in daily life.
• Collaborated with fellow students and faculty to develop interactive wellness stations promoting functional mobility, fall prevention, and physical activity for all age groups.

IPE SLAC Defibrillator Derby, March 2025

• Collaborated with students from multiple healthcare disciplines to enhance interprofessional communication and teamwork skills.
• Participated in simulated emergency response scenarios emphasizing rapid assessment, teamwork, and patient safety.

2025 Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association - In Person, February 2025

• Attended national conference sessions focused on emerging evidence and innovations in physical therapy practice.
• Represented UMMC as part of a competitive Quiz Bowl team, testing advanced knowledge of physical therapy practice and clinical decision-making.

American Physical Therapy Association, APTA

American Physical Therapy Association Mississippi Chapter, APTA-MS

American Physical Therapy Association American Academy of Sports Physical Therapy, APTA-Sports Section

American Physical Therapy Association Academy of Orthopedic, APTA-Orthopedic Section

SHRP Ambassador

• Prospective Student Communication
• Assist Recruitment/ Student Service Staff with in office tasks as needed

UMMC DPT Class of 2026 Officer - Secretary

• Keeps Minutes of Meetings
• Sends flowers, cards as necessary
• Assists other class officers as necessary

Mississippi College Dance Team, Fall 2021 - Summer 2022

• Member, 1 year
• Captain (November 2021 - August 2022)
• Plan and choreograph routines to then lead team at practices ensuring dances are taught and ready to perform
• Recruit new members
• Communicated with the administration to organize events

Hinds Community College Hi-Stepper, Fall 2019 - Spring 2021

• Member, 2 years
• Captain (August 2020 - May 2021)
• Assist director during practices and performances, filling in to lead the team in director's absence
• Recruit new members
• Choreograph and teach new dances
• Communicate with the dance team director and band director

2nd Place at Knowledge Bowl at the Combined Sections Meeting, Spring 2025

• Apart of a competitive Quiz Bowl team, testing advanced knowledge of physical therapy practice and clinical decision-making.

Mississippi College Trustee Scholar, Fall 2021 - Spring 2023

• Requirements: Transfer student, write a one-page essay, interview with peers in front of Mississippi College administration

Phi Theta Kappa, Spring 2020 - Spring 2023

• Requirements: Maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher for two semesters

Mississippi College Dance Team Captain, Fall 2021-Summer 2022

• Requirements: Audition with a solo dance and show leadership and communication skills

Mississippi College Dean’s List, Fall 2021 , Spring 2022

• Requirements: Maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher

Hinds Community College Hi-Stepper Captain, Fall 2020 - Spring 2021

• Requirements: Good standing member of the team for at least two semesters, perform a solo dance, and interview with the director and former members

Hinds Community College 3E Outstanding Student, Spring 2021

• Requirements: Recommended by a faculty member, write an essay, and fill out an application

Hinds Community College Who’s Who Award, Fall 2020

• Requirements: Recommended by a faculty member, turn in a resume, and fill out an application

Hinds Community College President Scholar, Fall 2020

• Requirements: Maintain a GPA of 4.0

Hinds Community College Dean’s List, Fall 2019, Spring 2020

• Requirements: Maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher

High School Game Coverage, Fall 2025 

• Assisted the athletic trainer in taping and preparing athletes for practices and games. Observed a licensed physical therapist providing on-field evaluations and sideline care for acute injuries.
• Clinton High School vs Murrah High School; Tricounty Academy vs Central Hinds Academy; Clinton High School vs Oxford High School

Central MS Down Syndrome Buddy Walk, Fall 2025 

• My involvement included assisting with preparing resourse bags for World Down Syndrome Day and help children engage in interactive and inclusive activities throughout the event.

UMMC Program Focus Day, Fall 2025 

• Actively involved in program events assisting faculty and welcoming prospective students.

High School Athletic Training Workshop, Feb, March, April, May 2025 

• Collaborated with athletic trainers to teach high school students about sports medicine, assisting with hands-on demonstrations, taping instruction, and interactive learning activities.

Health Aging Fair, April 2025

• Provided the general public with a free health screening including blood pressure assessment, balance assessment, and general strength assessment.

Back to School Health Rally, July, 2024

• Helped children participate in interactive and inclusive activities along with educating portents and guardians on the importance of regular exercise for their children.

UMMC DPT Preview Day, March 2024

• Actively involved in program events assisting faculty and welcoming prospective students.

UMMC DPT General Admission Interviews, January, 2024

• Actively involved in program events assisting faculty and welcoming prospective students.

UMMC DPT Early Admission Interviews, October 2023

• Actively involved in program events assisting faculty and welcoming prospective students.

Watermelon Classic 5K walk/ Run, July, 2023

• Assisted with making preparing packets and informing locals runners of pertinent information about the race.

International Ballet Competition, June 2023

• Assisted licensed physical therapist with athlete care through the use of modalities.