UM-Flint Physical Therapy Department

10/07/2026

🌍 UM-Flint PT is in the Netherlands!

This week, Dr. Jenny LaCross is representing UM-Flint Physical Therapy at the International Continence Society (ICS) Annual Meeting, presenting her research:

“Association of Physical Activity with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Older Women: The Study of Muscle, Mobility and Aging (SOMMA)”

👏 Congratulations, Dr. LaCross, on sharing your research on the international stage!
Check out the poster ⤵
🔗 https://www.ics.org/2026/abstract/465

10/07/2026

🎉 Exciting Research from UM-Flint Physical Therapy! 🤖💙💛

Can AI help prepare future physical therapists for patient care? Our faculty are exploring just that!

Congratulations to Dr. Leslie Smith and colleagues Samantha Hsu and Dr. Peter Bodary on their publication in Health Professions Education:

📖 "Reimagining Patient Interviews: The Effect of AI-Generated Chatbots on DPT Student Engagement."

Their research explored using AI-generated patient simulations to help DPT students practice interviewing and clinical communication skills.

📊 The results?

93% found AI chatbots relevant to learning patient history.

Over 80% reported improved engagement and skill development.

👏 Congratulations to the research team for advancing innovative approaches to physical therapist education!

🔗 Read the publication: https://hpe.researchcommons.org/journal/vol12/iss5/8/

Background and Purpose: Artificial intelligence generated chatbots (AIGC) present new possibilities for physical therapist education, especially for self-directed learning and skill development. Their impact on Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students’ communication and interviewing skills is sti...

10/05/2026

🍎 Happy World Teachers’ Day! 📚

Today, we celebrate the educators who teach, challenge, encourage, and inspire—from our earliest classrooms to professional and clinical education.

To all the teachers, professors, clinical instructors, mentors, and educators who have made a difference: thank you! 💙💛

💬 Who was the most impactful teacher in your life—and what made them memorable? Give them a shout-out in the comments!

10/02/2026

👉https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=IXrGS7AAAAAJ&hl=en 🌟https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=q7tQZmwAAAAJ&hl=en

10/01/2026

🩵 UM-Flint Physical Therapy is heading to the APTA Michigan Fall Conference!

There is a lot to celebrate this year! Our faculty and students will be sharing their research, and several members of the UM-Flint community are being recognized with APTA Michigan awards.

Congratulations to our APTA Michigan, A Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association presenters and award recipients for their contributions to physical therapy education, research, clinical practice, and the profession!

🔗 See the full list of UM-Flint presentations and award recipients here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1smufeLGhPcYof-eCxUpKTrvlPXanhJI4Ez2t75RIXHA/edit?usp=sharing

10/01/2026

09/28/2026

💙💛 Learning, Connecting, and Advancing PT Education

Members of the UM-Flint Physical Therapy leadership team attended the Cohere EXXAT Conference in Baltimore last week to learn more about innovative ways to support PT students throughout both the didactic and clinical components of their education.

As early users of EXXAT, the UM-Flint PT program values the opportunity to build on this relationship, explore new approaches, and continue providing our students with high-quality educational, service, and clinical learning experiences.

Grateful that EXXAT provided an opportunity for learning and networking at the National Aquarium where the jellies showed us how to go with the flow.

We are excited to bring new ideas back to UM-Flint and continue advancing the student experience!

09/24/2026

From UM-Flint DPT to the world stage! 〽️

We are incredibly proud of third-year UM-Flint DPT student Sia Hayes, who is representing Team USA at the 2026 World Triathlon Age-Group Championships in Pontevedra, Spain!

Sia will compete on September 26 in the Olympic-distance triathlon — a 1-mile swim, 40K bike ride, and 10K run. She earned her place on Team USA after qualifying for and competing at the USA Triathlon National Championships.

Balancing the demands of DPT education with training at this level takes remarkable dedication, discipline, and perseverance. Those same qualities will serve Sia — and her future patients — exceptionally well throughout her career as a physical therapist.

The entire UM-Flint Physical Therapy Department is cheering you on, Sia! 🇺🇸〽️🏊‍♀️🚴‍♀️🏃‍♀️

GO BLUE and GO TEAM USA! 💛💙

Read the article here: https://news.umflint.edu/2026/09/24/um-flint-dpt-student-sia-hayes-to-compete-in-world-triathlon-championships/?fbclid=IwY2xjawUiaktleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBwZG9mAWJyaWQRMVJFeG9RTEVNdllaYmJlamNzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeFkT-_xDNAgeblNn8auv5sKNON2IqdbcBeOkMMxnR-NWU1LOFh6X6re32zSs_aem_cPyNnPy6EnrGpX2CCU2cUA

09/24/2026

WE are participating in the APTA Flash Action Strategy and supporting efforts to strengthen our workforce and improve access to physical therapist services. 📢

Join the movement now and take action to support the Physical Therapist Workforce and Patient Access Act:
🌟https://www.votervoice.net/mobile/APTA/Campaigns/139695/Respond