Concordia University, St. Paul Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

Recently, our second year PT students practiced debridement techniques using oranges and chicken drumsticks to simulate tissue handling and wound bed management in a controlled environment.

Wound care is an important component of physical therapy practice, particularly in acute care and inpatient settings. Effective debridement supports tissue healing, reduces infection risk, promotes circulation, and helps prepare the wound bed for optimal recovery. For physical therapists, strong wound management skills allow us to facilitate earlier mobility, prevent secondary complications, and contribute to improved functional outcomes.

Hands on experiences like this help bridge classroom knowledge with the clinical decision making required to provide safe, evidence-based care!

Happy March!

🤝Meet our student of the week: Natalie Herzog, SPT 1

📍Hometown: Hermantown, MN

🎓Where did you go to undergrad?
Bethel University

💛💙What do you love about the program?
I’ve loved getting to know my cohort better and how supportive and uplifting our faculty members are!

🩺What is something you are excited about in the DPT program?
I am looking forward to being able to see multiple specialties within our clinical experiences.

🚨Why did you choose PT?
I chose PT as I hope to make an impact on the lives of children and build relationships with families throughout the rehabilitation process.

🎉Fun fact about yourself?
I can speak German!

Happy Monday!

🤝Meet our student of the week: Payton Farrell

📍Hometown: Chanhassen, MN

🎓Where did you go to undergrad?
University of Iowa

💛💙What do you love about the program?
I love the small cohort size! Everyone is so supportive and genuinely wants to see you succeed. It makes coming to class every day so fun!

🩺What is something you are excited about in the DPT program?
I am excited for clinicals to start next fall! I’m looking forward to getting more exposure in different settings and finding out which area of PT I see myself working in!

🚨Why did you choose PT?
I chose PT because I am passionate about helping people through the physical rehabiliation process. I feel so lucky to be in a field that not only helps people restore physical function, but also has such a positive impact on people’s quality of life!

🎉Fun fact about yourself?
I studied abroad in Florence in undergrad!

🤝Meet our student of the week: Gino Ciardelli, SPT 1

📍Hometown: Shakopee, MN

🎓Where did you go to undergrad?
Minnesota State University, Mankato

💛💙What do you love about the program?
I really love how close the faculty is with the students. The professors are always supporting us and it’s clear that they want to help us succeed.

🩺What is something you are excited about in the DPT program?
I am excited for my first clinical rotation. It should be a great opportunity to apply everything that I have learned so far.

🚨Why did you choose PT?
I chose physical therapy because I love exercise and I loved the idea of helping people become stronger to get back to their daily activities. I also chose physical therapy because of the time we get to spend with our patients.

🎉Fun fact about yourself?
I have been stung by a sea urchin in Italy🇮🇹

Happy Monday!

🤝Meet our student of the week: Carrie Brenith

📍Hometown: Erie, CO

🎓Where did you go to undergrad?
Puget sound

💛💙What do you love about the program?
Services learning focus

🩺What is something you are excited about in the DPT program?
Upcoming clinicals

🚨Why did you choose PT?
No more desk job, nice way to treat the cause and grow my skills past my previous massage therapy practice

🎉Fun fact about yourself?
I did castle restoration in France

Happy February!!

🤝Meet our student of the week: Becca Lineberry

📍Hometown: Rochester, MN

🎓Where did you go to undergrad?
University of Minnesota - Duluth 🐾

💛💙What do you love about the program?
How connected and supportive our cohort is both in and out of the classroom

🩺What is something you are excited about in the DPT program?
Exploring different specialties and applying what we’ve been learning in class out in the clinic

🚨Why did you choose PT?
It’s a rewarding profession that is centered around helping others

🎉Fun fact about yourself?
I’ve traveled to 5 out of 7 continents!

Students from DPT programs across the state of Minnesota came together to attend the annual SSIG APTA Student Conclave Event! Here is a few photos to showcase our CSP students in attendance.

Students were able to learn more about residency, attend three informational sessions, network with students from PT programs, and participate in a national advocacy dinner hosted by St. Catherine University. Special thanks to all those who made this event possible - including our very own CSP students on APTA boards: Milly Dingwalll, Brian Vanyo, and Max Hanninen :)

We hope you’re staying warm this Monday!

🤝Meet our student of the week: Jacob Citterman

📍Hometown: Hendricks, MN

🎓Where did you go to undergrad?
Southwest Minnesota State University

💛💙What do you love about the program?
I love how connected our cohort is and how the facility are always there to help whenever you need it.

🩺What is something you are excited about in the DPT program?
I am excited to continue with the coursework and get more hands on experience throughout the semester.

🚨Why did you choose PT?
I choose PT because it allows me to interact and meet new people and help them get back to doing what they love doing.

🎉Fun fact about yourself?
This summer, I worked at the oldest golf club west of the Mississippi River.

🤝Meet our student of the week: Dylan Stormoen

📍Hometown: Stillwater, MN

🎓Where did you go to undergrad?
Pepperdine University

💛💙What do you love about the program?
I love how hands on our professors are in their teaching. They are so supportive of our learning and always make it fun and collaborative!

🩺What is something you are excited about in the DPT program?
Now that first semester is finished, I’m excited to get into more specialized course work. I can’t wait to go a bit deeper and learn which fields I’m most interested in!

🚨Why did you choose PT?
I chose PT because I am passionate about helping others to build a relationship between their body and mind. I hope as a PT I can help facilitate this for others, through hands on care, movement, and healing!

🎉Fun fact about yourself?
I’m a certified yoga instructor and I love to practice too!

This past Friday students from CSP DPT program attended clinical partners day!

Students from all three cohorts were able to meet with representatives from local clinics and partners within the community, discuss questions with a selected hiring panel, information on residency programs, and so much more.

Big thanks to Linsey Hamilton PT, DPT, DScPT for organizing this event for our program! 💙💛

Happy Monday! Our students are ready to jump back into learning!

🤝Meet our student of the week: Max Gutenberg

📍Hometown: Andover, MN

🎓Where did you go to undergrad?
UW - La Crosse

💛💙What do you love about the program?
How close our cohort is and we celebrate each other

🩺What is something you are excited about in the DPT program?
I am excited about getting to start clinicals and be in different setting and learning from lots of PTs

🚨Why did you choose PT?
I chose PT as I saw how beneficial they were to me as I was often injured through sports and the joy they had when celebrating their patients recoveries.

🎉Fun fact about yourself?
I am a liscensed bartender and mixologist through the Minnesota School of Bartending.

🎉 A big congratulations to our second-year students on completing their first clinical experience before the holidays!

Over eight weeks, students gained valuable hands on experience as Student Physical Therapists, working alongside dedicated clinical instructors in outpatient, acute care, and rural settings across Minnesota, Wisconsin, Utah, Arizona, and Washington.

We are incredibly proud of our students and grateful to our clinical instructors and professors for their mentorship and support throughout this important milestone!

HandsOnLearning ClinicalEducation ThankYouCI