Commencement exercises for our program’s 59th class took place on August 4, 2018. The ceremony recognized the 30 members of the class of 2018 and three physical therapists who completed the requirements for the DPT degree. Three physical therapists were recognized for completing the UNC orthopedic and pediatric residencies. Awards to the students presented at the ceremony included the Margaret L. Moore Student Recognition Award to Kate Finegan, the Darlene K. Sekerak and Ben F. Massey, Jr. Service Award to Ali Serrani, and the Judy Capps Beswick Award for outstanding clinical performance to Maddie Wygand. The Award for Excellence in Clinical Instruction was given to Diane Meyer, PT, MSCS of UNC Health Care. Karen McCulloch, PT, PhD, received the Outstanding Faculty Award.
The division launched a neurologic physical therapy residency with UNC Health Care in August. The orthopedic physical therapy residency was reaccredited this spring until 2028. The faculty continue to participate in strategic planning to add new residencies and fellowships with our UNC Health Care partners.
Karen McCulloch, PT, PhD, received a $947,233, two-year grant from the United States Department of Defense to advance her research involving injured service members with mild traumatic brain injury. Her research team is refining an assessment tool that incorporates smartphone technology with the goal to provide sensitive metrics to better inform return to duty decision makers.
We appreciate our alumni and friends who have donated to the Margaret L. Moore Professorship in Physical Therapy. To date, the fund has $226,832, which is short of our goal of $333,000, so we need you to keep giving! Erin Kinney, our new development director, will continue to focus on this goal and others as part of the Campaign for Carolina.
Deborah L. Givens, PT, DPT, PhD
Director, Division of Physical Therapy