UIC Department of Physical Therapy

Congratulations, Class of 2026! 🎉

Congratulations to the UIC DPT Class of 2026 on passing the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) and officially becoming licensed physical therapists!

Your dedication, perseverance, and countless hours of hard work have paid off, and we couldn’t be prouder of all that you’ve accomplished.

Welcome to the profession, colleagues! We are excited to see the impact you’ll make on your patients, your communities, and the future of physical therapy.

Remember, you’ll always be part of the UIC DPT family, and we hope to see you back on campus soon!

Community Is Always on the Menu 🥘

During the summer semester our DPT students organized potlucks, bringing classmates together to share food, relax, and enjoy some time outside the classroom.

Throughout their time at UIC DPT, our students continue to create a strong sense of community; supporting one another through the hard work while also making time for connection and fun along the way!

When everyone “chips” in, we can do amazing things! 😊

Advocating for the Profession 🌲🤝

Last week in Portland, Oregon, UIC Physical Therapy faculty represented our department and profession through leadership, advocacy, and service at the APTA House of Delegates and the inaugural APTA Payment Advocacy Summit.

Dr. Rich Severin served as Chief Delegate for the APTA Academy of Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Physical Therapy, helping advance motions focused on CPR/AED preparedness and workforce sustainability. Dr. Oliver Rivera also represented the profession as a member of the Illinois Delegation, continuing his service on behalf of physical therapists across the state.

Additionally, Dr. Severin and Dr. Rick Rausch participated in the inaugural APTA Payment Advocacy Summit, where Dr. Rausch led an educational session on the CMS and CPT code development process and how physical therapists can effectively advocate for improved reimbursement.

We are proud to see our faculty actively engaged in advancing physical therapy through leadership, advocacy, and service within APTA. Congratulations, and thank you for your continued commitment to our profession!

🚨 Future PTs, It’s Time! 🎓

Applications for the UIC DPT Class of 2030 are now open!

📅 Application Deadline: October 1, 2026

Be sure to review the application checklist and submit your application through PTCAS before the deadline.

Ready to take the next step toward becoming a physical therapist? We’d love to have you join the UIC DPT family!

For more information, visit the link in our bio.

Happy Fourth of July! 🇺🇸

Wishing our UIC DPT community a safe, happy, and memorable Independence Day.

This year’s celebration is especially meaningful as our nation commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

We hope everyone enjoys a wonderful holiday with family and friends!

⚾️ UIC DPT is proud to be part of the Move Better Illinois Campaign!

Our students and faculty had an amazing time volunteering at the Illinois Physical Therapy Association’s PT Night at the Boomers Game, connecting with the community and sharing the power of movement.

From discussing injury prevention and healthy aging to promoting physical therapy as a lifelong resource for staying active and independent, this event was all about bringing the “PT for the Future Me” message to life in a fun and engaging setting.

We love opportunities like this to step outside the classroom, serve our community, and showcase the many ways physical therapists help people move better throughout every stage of life.

💙❤️ Thank you to everyone who stopped by to chat, play games, and learn more about physical therapy!

Congratulations, Dr. Danielle Goodman, PT, DPT, OCS! 🎉

Join us in congratulating Dr. Danielle Goodman, PT, DPT, OCS on becoming an ABPTS Board-Certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist (OCS)!

A proud graduate of the 2025 UIC Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Residency, Dr. Goodman successfully passed the ABPTS Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Specialist examination, earning board certification in orthopaedic physical therapy.

Dr. Goodman earned her DPT from the University of Cincinnati in 2024 and now practices in outpatient orthopaedics in Austin, Texas.

Congratulations on this tremendous accomplishment! We are proud to celebrate another outstanding graduate of the UIC Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Residency and wish you continued success in your career.

Congratulations, Dr. Anyssa Iliopoulos, PT, DPT, SCS! 🎉

Join us in congratulating Dr. Anyssa Iliopoulos, PT, DPT, SCS on becoming an ABPTS Board-Certified Sports Clinical Specialist!

A proud graduate of the 2025 UIC Sports Physical Therapy Residency, Dr. Iliopoulos successfully passed the ABPTS Sports Physical Therapy Specialist examination, earning board certification in sports physical therapy.

Dr. Iliopoulos is also a member of the UIC DPT Class of 2024. A former collegiate softball player at Rutgers and member of the Greek National Softball Team, she has a passion for working with overhead athletes and now practices in Arizona.

Congratulations on this tremendous accomplishment! We are proud to celebrate another outstanding graduate of the UIC Sports Physical Therapy Residency and wish you continued success in your career.

Taking Learning on the Move 🚶‍♀️🩼

The UIC DPT Class of 2028 recently took their learning beyond the classroom, practicing assistive device skills around campus as part of PT 624 Therapeutic Applications.

From fitting and gait training to navigating curbs, ramps, stairs, and uneven terrain, students gained hands-on experience applying classroom concepts in real-world environments.

Experiential learning like this helps prepare our students to confidently meet the functional mobility needs of patients across a variety of clinical settings.

One step at a time, they’re building the skills to help others do the same.