Celebrating National Physical Therapy Month
Physical therapy faculty, staff, and students at the University of Hartford are joining the American Physical Therapy Association to celebrate the 30-year anniversary of National Physical Therapy Month this October. The event raises awareness about the many benefits of physical therapy and the impact physical therapists have on health care and society.
UHart’s physical therapy program in the College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions is one of only four PT programs in Connecticut. UHart offers a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree, as well as an undergraduate program that offers a combined BS in Exercise Science with direct entry into the DPT program.
“Our physical therapy program has a lot of accomplishments to celebrate over the past several years,” said Associate Professor Brian Swanson, program director for physical therapy and chair of the Rehabilitation Sciences department. “We expanded our DPT program from 40 to 60 students per cohort, moved into beautiful new lab spaces in the Hursey Center, and added a new certificate program in advanced orthopedic physical therapyand an orthopedic physical therapy residency program.”
The program also has a very active Physical Therapy Student Association, which is hosting a Spirit Week from Oct. 24 – 31. The neon T-shirts worn by participants will support fundraising for the Marquette Challenge, a student-led effort that supports the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research.
On Wednesday, Oct. 26, students in the DPT Class of 2023 will host a symposium from noon – 2 p.m., featuring their faculty-led final research projects. Research is an important component of the DPT program.
The University also hosted the Connecticut chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association for its annual conference on Oct. 22, bringing physical therapists from across the state to campus for a full day of seminars, a keynote address, and an annual business meeting.
Follow the Physical Therapy program on Instagram at @uhart_pt for a look at the student experience, faculty life, and updates on alumni.