Featured News
Every day VCU Physical Therapy students, alumni, faculty and staff do extraordinary things. Read more about our latest achievements below.
White Coat Ceremony welcomes 56 PT students into Class of 2028
At the annual Department of Physical Therapy White Coat Ceremony on Sept. 5, the Physical Therapy Doctorate program welcomed 56 new students to the College of Health Professions. The ceremony included recognition of current student leaders and award recipients, highlighting the program’s culture of service and achievement.
Lamb Lecturer calls for ‘expertise without borders’
At this year’s Robert L. Lamb Distinguished Lectureship, Rob Landel, DPT, challenged VCU physical therapy students to seek out opportunities to specialize – but learn to cross lanes because therapists can best help patients when they do.
Driven by purpose and impact
As Virginia’s top-ranked program, VCU Physical Therapy thrives because of the people who bring our mission to life: our students, faculty, alumni and community partners. In this Summer issue of our newsletter, you’ll find powerful examples of how our commitment to innovation and service is transforming lives and shaping the future of our profession.
On the quest to continue Marquette Challenge streak
VCU Physical Therapy students are looking to extend their 5-year streak of winning the Marquette Challenge, a national fundraiser supporting the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research (FPTR). To honor this run of victories, the event has been renamed the VCU-Marquette Challenge for this year.
Students honored during Commencement activities
During an awards luncheon, Physical Therapy celebrated the Class of 2025 and presented several recognitions.
Wilkins: Heart of a PT with vision of a hospital leader
Joe Wilkins is a three-time VCU graduate – two physical therapy degrees and a master's in health administration – who serves as president of St. Francis Medical Center in Chesterfield County. At the December 2024 Commencement, he and wife Tonya Parris-Wilkins received the Edward A. Wayne Medal, which celebrates alums who have made outstanding contributions to the university. Their support includes establishing the Parris-Wilkins Scholarship, which has supported 18 students in achieving their educational goals since 2012.
Paving the way for new therapies for inherited muscle disorders
Department of Physical Therapy assistant professor Michael Kiefer, DPT, Ph.D. is collaborating with the Center for Inherited Muscle Research to establish outcome measures critical for clinical trials in myotonic dystrophy. His work plays a key role in an ambitious international effort to validate new treatments for myotonic dystrophy, an inherited disorder that takes away muscle strength and movement.
Student pro bono PT clinic cares for community
The Physical Therapy student-run CARES clinic provides free rehabilitation services to uninsured Richmond residents. The clinic offers individualized, compassionate care while giving students valuable real-world experience.
A pivot to PT after 22-year military career
Feather Wright marked a major milestone by earning her Physical Therapy degree, an accomplishment she pursued following a 22-year-long career in the U.S. Army – channeling her service experience into a new professional calling.
Our Fall 2024 Newsletter
In our latest newsletter, find an array of stories and other valuable insights about the program.
