Physical therapy students inaugural doctoral class

For physical therapy patients, seeing a therapist who has a clinical doctoral degree has multiple benefits.

“We’re able to make more difficult diagnoses and more advanced clinical decisions,” said Allison Smith, one of 35 Grand Valley students who will earn doctorates in physical therapy at commencement April 28.

It’s the first Grand Valley class to graduate with a terminal degree. John Peck, director of the physical therapy program, said the process of changing from a master’s-level program to a doctoral level began in 2002, along with most other universities that offer physical therapy. Grand Valley’s first class was admitted in 2004.

Smith, who received the Glenn A. Niemeyer Award at the annual awards banquet, was offered a fellowship at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. Her classmate Kari Brown will work at a sports medicine practice in Portage. Both said, following certification exams in the summer, they feel very confident about entering the workforce.

“We’ve had a lot of extra clinical time and more rotations,” Brown, who earned the Outstanding Service to Community and Profession award, said.

Brown’s interest in physical therapy began in high school when she suffered a knee injury. “The therapists were able to help me get back on my feet quickly, and then I decided that’s what I want to do,” she said.

Kari Brown, left, and Allison Smith will be among the first class of physical therapy students to graduate with a doctoral degree / Photo by Michele Coffill