Happy Birthday Physical Therapy

This weekend, the Department of Physical Therapy is celebrating the 30th Anniversary of PT at the Institute. Alumni, faculty, and friends will come together for social and educational events. PT Chair (and Interim Dean of SHRS) Leslie Portney has produced a publication that reports the history of the program. Congratulations to our PT faculty, students, and alumni!

This birthday celebration of PT, which coincides with National PT Month, is a reminder of the important contribution that our PT programs make to the life of the Institute. From an educational standpoint, our program is recognized for cutting edge curricula, and is ranked 7th in the nation and first in the northeast by US News and World Report. Faculty in PT contribute as Institute leaders, and many have high profiles in the American Physical Therapy Association. Our remarkable and talented Physical Therapy students participate in wellness projects that impact many aspects of the community and they conduct an annual dodgeball tournament that raises thousands of dollars for charity.

The impact of the PT Department extends beyond the classroom. This past year, the program opened an exciting new clinic for the community. Located on the third floor of the Shouse Building, the clinic provides physical therapy services to individuals also being seen in the Speech and Language Center, and to our Charlestown and Navy Yard neighbors. The clinic is staffed by our students two days per week and he schedule is already full.

Finally, the PT program is unique in its international master's program. This program is customized to meet the needs of internationally licensed physical therapists who wish to accomplish advanced study in the U.S. These phenomenal individuals from around the world add much to the life of the Institute.

I hope that everyone in the Institute community will take a moment to say "thanks and congratulations" to our colleagues in Physical Therapy! We are all so grateful for your leadership and service!  Happy Birthday PT!