Since 2012, the Marshall University School of Physical Therapy has been open to students who want to receive their Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT). Last week, the Marshall Board of Governors toured these new facilities and learned more about the program from department director, Dr. Penny Kroll.
“One of our overall goals is to get the community and clinicians within this community involved in our research endeavors and the overall education of our students,” Kroll said. “I was honored to be given the opportunity to introduce the members of the Board of Governors to our comprehensive, contemporary physical therapy program and to make them aware of the qualifications and achievements of our faculty and students in the program. We were able to provide a tour through our space, which is so well designed to meet the needs of the program.”
Kroll said this was an opportunity to highlight the benefits of the physical therapy program to the university and the community.
“I was very pleased to be given the occasion to thank the members of the board for their support in creating and sustaining the School of Physical Therapy and the Doctor of Physical Therapy program,” Kroll said. “This was an opportunity to emphasize the congruency between our mission and goals and that of the university.”
Mike Sellards, CEO and president of St. Mary’s Medical Center and incoming Board of Governors chair, said the board is responsible for the direction of the university and for fulfilling the university’s mission through understanding the needs of the students and the Marshall community.
“This program has been needed in our area for quite some time,” Sellards said. “The board was very impressed with the progress of the DPT program and the leadership it takes to get a program like this off the ground and moving toward accreditation.”
Dr. Michael Prewitt, dean of the College of Health Professions, said establishing a School of Physical Therapy was necessary due to the shortage of trained and qualified physical therapists in the region. Due to changes in population and increasing concerns over chronic disease, the School of Physical Therapy will maintain wellness, prevent the onset and progression of disability and restore function at the highest possible level.
“The School of Physical Therapy is one of several new programs developed in the last four years within the College of Health Professions which allow our health professionals to treat the emerging healthcare needs in our region,” Prewitt said. “We are proud to offer programs, which address these needs including public health, biomechanics and health informatics and we will continue to develop programs which meet the needs of our surrounding communities.”
For further information on the School of Physical Therapy and new programs offered within the college, visit www.marshall.edu/cohp online.
