DPT Students Reach Milestone
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The LSU Health New Orleans Doctor of Physical Therapy Class of 2019 reached a milestone in their educational journey Friday, September 16, 2016. They received their white coats, marking their entrance into clinical practice.
The white coat is a visible symbol of professionalism, integrity, compassion, lifelong learning, trustworthiness and dedication to the health and well-being of patients.
Following welcoming and introductory remarks by Jane Eason, PhD, PT, Head of the Physical Therapy Department, and Dr. J. M. Cairo, Dean of the LSU Health New Orleans School of Allied Health Profession, Logan Samuel, BS, SPT, DPT II Class President, shared his insights with the class.
As their families and loved ones looked on, LSU Health New Orleans Physical Therapy faculty helped the 35 students slip on their new coats and welcomed them as new colleagues.
After Jessica Wood, the last student to be coated, returned to her seat, the Class stood, and in unison, pledged to uphold the APTA Code of Ethics.
The Department of Physical Therapy at LSU Health New Orleans offers an entry level Doctor of Physical Therapy program. The program develops graduates with outstanding clinical skills in Physical Therapy, including diagnosis, clinical reasoning, program planning and therapeutic intervention. The program offers highly qualified faculty, state-of-the-art facilities and is located in the heart of the LSU Health New Orleans medical complex.
The program began in 1971 and the first class graduated in 1973. It was on the leading edge of raising educational standards, becoming one of the first to establish the DPT as the entry level degree. The LSU Health New Orleans Physical Therapy program is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) of the American Physical Therapy Association and has been since 1973.
