VCU Physical Therapy students help drive amendments to Virginia health care legislation
At this year’s Virginia General Assembly, two VCU Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students helped push forward legislation designed to better support health care providers serving vulnerable populations.
Unlimited by campus boundaries
The stories in our Winter 2026 newsletter remind us that the power of a VCU Physical Therapy education stretches far beyond our campus.
VCU innovators create device to mimic real blood flow to surgical training simulations
Recent invention disclosure highlights a pump that could benefit physicians, military medics, educators and, ultimately, patients.
CHP simulation lab upgrades raise the bar for PT and OT training
When they stepped into the simulation lab on the second floor of the College of Health Professions this fall, physical and occupational therapy students found it had undergone considerable changes. Thanks to a $108,000 allocation from the Higher Education Equipment Trust Fund, it now features a more immersive, hands-on training environment that reflects the evolving demands of modern health care.
Duppen driven to improve mobility and independence for people with Parkinson’s
When Chelsea “CJ” Duppen PT, DPT, PhD began treating patients in rural North Carolina, she was one of only two clinicians in her county trained to handle neurologic diagnoses.
VCU researcher expands understanding of mobility after amputation with NIH-funded study
Understanding how individuals with lower-limb amputations navigate their communities – and why many remain dissatisfied with their mobility, even after successful rehabilitation – is the focus of a new research project led by Paul Kline, DPT, Ph.D., assistant professor in VCU’s Department of Physical Therapy.
APTA honors VCU alum for excellence in academic teaching
Anne Lorio, DPT, Ph.D., a 2001 graduate of VCU’s physical therapy masters program, was already nervous in the moments before delivering a graduation address to her physical therapy students at Georgia State University earlier this year. The call she received before taking the stage made the moment even more memorable.
PT graduates prioritize giving back
It’s easy for life to get in the way. Yet three graduates of VCU’s College of Health Professions Physical Therapy program — all in demanding, full-time practice — continue to find ways to give back to the program that helped mold their careers.
PT alum Fiorante takes ‘beautiful game’ of soccer to new places
For Michael Fiorante, DPT, soccer has always been more than a sport. It’s a language that anyone can speak.
VCU Physical Therapy student honored with National Rizing Tide Scholarship
For first-year Physical Therapy student Zion Segears, earning the Rizing Tide Scholarship is more than just financial support, it’s a stepping stone toward his dream of owning his own physical therapy practice and helping others find healing, just as he once did.
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.
VCU wins Marquette Challenge for 5th straight year
Keeping an important streak going, VCU Physical Therapy students raised the most funds for research to earn the Marquette Challenge for the fifth year in a row.
Can VR games improve chronic pain?
VCU Physical Therapy researcher James Thomas, Ph.D., director of the Motor Control Lab, is a pioneer in the use of virtual-reality interventional games — like simulated dodgeball and fishing — that encourage trunk movement while distracting participants from chronic back pain. His results: a 31% reduction in pain and a 30% decrease in disability among users.
Scholarships awarded during Commencement, White Coat Ceremony
In addition to welcoming the incoming Class of 2027 and presenting them with their white coats, the Physical Therapy presented scholarships to more than a dozen students across the program during its fall ceremony.
Motivating underserved children to become more physically active
Through her innovative “Together We Run” program, Tamara Buck, PT, DPT, PCS, is helping underserved children ages 8-13 train for and complete a 5K race. The initiative removes barriers to safe physical activity by providing mentorship, race buddies, and necessary equipment.
Physical Therapy alum joins faculty to champion health equity
From Virginia clinics to remote Haitian villages, Kai Kennedy, D.P.T., has dedicated her career to ensuring that everyone – no matter their background or zip code – has access to the care they need to live their fullest lives.
A new vision of mobility for lower-limb amputees
Assistant professor of physical therapy Paul Kline, Ph.D. is leading a VCU study on the unique challenges faced by individuals with lower-limb amputations. The project uses eye-tracking technology to understand how people with amputations visually navigate their environment while walking.
Physical Therapy students launch degree journeys at White Coat Ceremony
In pairs, members of the Class of 2027 crossed the Kontos Building stage to accept their white coats – a symbol of their commitment to their future profession as physical therapists.
Physical Therapy faculty member is among recipients of 2024 VCU Quest Fund
Paul Kline, P.T., D.P.T., Ph.D., assistant professor in the Virginia Commonwealth University College of Health Professions Department of Physical Therapy, has been awarded a grant from the 2024 VCU Quest Fund.
CBS6 visits the biomechanics lab to interview Pete Pidcoe and Zach Moore about concussion research
A team of researchers at the Virginia Commonwealth University College of Health Professions and College of Engineering are using robotic technology to better understand the long-term impacts that concussions can have on patients.
Transdisciplinary project is using robotics to advance concussion recovery
A VCU research team utilizes engineering approaches to study how concussions impact hand-eye coordination. (VCU Health)
Honoring our mentors: A conversation with Dr. Ann Dunbar
In this episode we talk to Dr. Ann Dunbar, alumni of the physical therapy program and founder of the 'Honoring Our Mentors Physical Therapy Scholarship'.
Our Fall 2023 newsletter
In our latest newsletter, find an array of stories and other valuable insights about the program.
VCU College of Health Professions appoints Physical Therapy Chair
Virginia Commonwealth University’s College of Health Professions has appointed Benjamin Darter, P.T., Ph.D., chair of the Department of Physical Therapy.
VCU collaboration gives children experience of mobility
A group of students in Virginia Commonwealth University’s Department of Physical Therapy in the College of Health Professions, was part of a volunteer project this month to help meet the needs of patients with significant mobility impairment at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU (CHOR).
Virtual VCU worlds used to train, teach and treat in the real one
How researchers and faculty are building virtual reality applications to face society’s grand challenges.
College of Health Professions Alumni Spotlight: Evangeline Yoder, PT, MS, DHSC
Evangeline Yoder was first introduced to the physical therapy profession as a child while being treated by an orthopaedic surgeon in Richmond named Dr. Thomas Wheeldon.
Department of Physical Therapy names interim chair
Virginia Commonwealth University’s College of Health Professions has named Benjamin Darter, P.T., Ph.D., interim chair of the Department of Physical Therapy.
VCU Takes Top Honors at the VCU-Marquette Challenge
The ‘VCU-Marquette Challenge’ is a national competition in which physical therapy students compete to raise the most money to support APTA’s Foundation for Physical Therapy Research (FPTR).
Study to develop new measure of prosthesis awareness in individuals with lower limb loss
Benjamin Darter’s project — funded by a $1.97 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense — focuses on ways to improve the understanding of a prosthesis user’s mobility.
Distinguishing chronic low back pain in young adults
Peter Pidcoe Ph.D., D.P.T., Alexander Stamenkovic, Susanne M. Van der Veen, and James Thomas Ph.D., D.P.T., published a paper discussing distinguishing chronic low back pain in young adults.
PT faculty receive national awards
Two PT faculty received national awards at the 2020/2021 American Physical Therapy Association Awards Ceremony in Washington DC on September 12th, 2021.
‘I could really see myself here at VCU'
A health sciences summer pipeline program offers undergrads from across the country a six-week slice of life as a graduate health professional student — and connections to last a lifetime.
Alumni Spotlight: Dr. Tracey Adler
We recently had the opportunity to talk one on one with Dr. Tracey Adler, a physical therapy graduate of the College of Health Professions.
Alternatives to traditional ventilators could be possible with a 3D printer and a few simple tools
Researchers across VCU’s health sciences, engineering and art programs are collaborating to create blueprints for ventilators that health systems could build from scratch.
A study in the science of play: Does early engagement help premature babies thrive?
Infants born very preterm, at or before 28 weeks gestation, are at high risk for developmental impairments. Physical therapy and medical specialists from Virginia Commonwealth University are leading a study in collaboration with colleagues from the University of Virginia to determine how early, evidence-based physical therapy intervention can enhance physical, social and cognitive outcomes. (VCU News)
VCU and Longwood University receive a $1M grant to improve therapy services for children with disabilities
Virginia Commonwealth University, in collaboration with Longwood University, has received a $1.07 million grant to work with students, teachers and families to support children with disabilities. (VCU News)
VCU project will train educators, physical therapists how to more effectively serve young children with significant disabilities
Virginia Commonwealth University researchers and teacher educators have received a $1.09 million grant to train early childhood special education and physical therapy professionals how to more effectively address the needs of children with significant disabilities. (VCU News)
Go Baby Go program gives children with mobile impairment a new independence
The goal of the program is to make power mobility more accessible to the 1-to-3-year-old patient population with significant mobile impairment to maximize their exploratory ability and independence.
Physical therapy program offers help for infants with delayed skills
U.S. Department of Education-backed clinical trial provides treatment for children with motor impairments. (VCU News)
Baby steps: Helping babies with neuromuscular disorders crawl and explore the world
In many cases, children with cerebral palsy and other neuromuscular disorders are challenged by lack of coordination or lack of strength, preventing them from executing a coordinated crawling motion.
Aaron’s wish: Researchers and students make boy’s dream to ride a bike come true
Aaron Nalle had a wish. He wanted to ride a bike just like his big brothers. But for Aaron, riding a bike was complicated. The 7-year-old was born with arthrogryposis, a congenital, nonprogressive condition that severely limits movements of joints, including the knees, hips, ankles, elbows, wrists and hands.
