University of Cincinnati Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

Our second years are off to their very first clinical rotations! We are so proud of how far they have come, and we cannot wait to see everything they continue to learn and accomplish in clinic!

Check out what 3rd Year student Olivia Tombragel has been up to at her clinical this summer!

“I have loved my experience in pediatric PT at the Perlman Center because of their unique approach to patient care for children, many of whom have diagnoses of CP. Each session brings together a group of 3-8 kids who receive multidisciplinary therapies during their visit, and I’ve gained a deeper appreciation for this seamless interprofessional collaboration while working alongside my wonderful clinical instructors and the OTs and SLPs each session. The group setup also allows the children to interact and engage with their peers, and it is so rewarding to see the progress they make and their enjoyment seeing their friends in therapy each week! Throughout my time here, I’ve learned so much about adaptive equipment and been hands-on with various types of standers and gait trainers nearly every day. I’ve also had the opportunity to observe multiple other PT settings throughout Cincinnati Children’s including aquatic therapy, inpatient and NICU PT, and the various outpatient PT intensives that kids undergo after surgeries like SDRs and SEMLS. I’m incredibly grateful for this experience and excited to carryover many of the things I’ve learned here into my final rotation and my career after graduation.”

Huge congratulations to our newly elected first-year UC DPT Student Organization board members! We’re so excited to have this passionate group representing our class and can’t wait to see what they bring to our program this year. Here’s to a year of growth, community, and lots of movement together. Swipe to meet your new board!

Our first-year DPT students completed Wheelchair Day! During this hands-on lab, they practiced wheelchair management, safety, and mobility skills in both indoor and outdoor settings. These essential experiences help prepare our future physical therapists for clinical practice!

Our second-year Pediatrics class welcomed some adorable “patients” this week—stuffed animals! During this hands-on lab presented by Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Pediatric Resident and Pediatric Residency Director, students practiced torticollis examinations, infant screening techniques, and other pediatric assessment skills in a fun, low-pressure learning environment. It was a day full of smiles and learning, which will help build confidence they will soon bring to the clinic!

Say hello to our new friend Cheese and Quackers! Our students helped name her and she can be found on the second floor in the program managers’ office and around the building sometimes. Come say hi!

Our first-year cohort has been learning how to properly fit and use assistive devices in their Interventions I class! Through these hands-on labs, students are beginning to develop the clinical skills and confidence needed to become skilled physical therapists. From walkers to canes, every lab brings them one step closer to providing safe and effective patient care!

Our second-year students have began their geriatric class! In a simulation lab, they used different materials such as glasses, headphones, and gloves to simulate sensory differences in geriatric patients. This lab allows them to put themselves in their patients’ shoes which help with more empathetic treatment and communication!