Program Overview
.jpg "Physical Therapy Students")
Gannon University's Doctor of Physical Therapy Program will be a
leader in educating autonomous physical therapists who participate
in integrative and collaborative practice to facilitate high
quality health and educational outcomes. We will be practitioners
of choice in the community, recognized as experts in movement,
function and health. As leaders we will embrace our social
responsibility, promote humanistic care, and contribute to the
profession's body of knowledge.
The Gannon University Physical Therapy Program at Ruskin
embraces the current APTA vision statement, "Physical therapists
will transform society by optimizing movement to improve the human
experience."
.jpg "Physical Therapy Students in Class")
The DPT program at Ruskin professes to:
- Provide physical therapy graduate education of the highest quality to develop generalist practitioners, while emphasizing faith, leadership, inclusiveness and social responsibility.
- Prepare global citizens engaged in the community, who are service oriented and meeting the needs of society.
- Engage in faculty community-based scholarship with the movement system at the core of all avenues of inquiry.
Gannon University is a Catholic, Diocesan University with 90
years of rich tradition in academic excellence. This success has
presented the opportunity to develop a second community-based DPT
program at our Ruskin, Florida campus. The Ruskin DPT
curriculum is both innovative and personalized and begins each
summer semester. The curriculum includes four full-time clinical
education experiences for a total of 40 weeks of clinical
experience. Students will also have the opportunity to travel for
clinical education experiences. The curriculum includes 5 courses
(Community Health Initiative I-V) that provides service learning
experiences with a network of community partners. Opportunities to
work with other professionals on community projects will be the
norm. In addition, the Ruskin DPT students will work alongside
faculty on clinical and community research projects. Students
will also be encouraged and supported to attend, participate and
present research projects at national and state
conferences.
Program Director: Richard W. Johnson, P.T., Ed.D. | 813-658-4904 | johnson171@gannon.edu
What Makes Us Different
- Leadership: Greater than 20 years of
professional and academic experience
- Laboratory Size: 10:1 Student-to-teacher ratio
provides opportunities to work closely with faculty and peers on
campus and in the community
- Community Engagement: Students and
faculty will embrace and strengthen the Ruskin, Florida
community
- Diverse Clinical Experiences: Presents
opportunities to travel throughout the nation
- Cutting Edge Technology: Students and
faculty will utilize innovative equipment to develop
highly-qualified clinicians
- Interprofessional Learning
Opportunities: Promote collaboration amongst multiple
disciplines and produce well-rounded leaders