Department of Physical Therapy

Student Testimonials

Kevin Chui (2005), Ph.D Program
The PhD program at NYU will profoundly change the way you think about yourself and your role in the physical therapy profession. Students receive a tremendous amount of individual mentorship in the state-of-the-art human performance and motion analysis research lab. You will be trained to think both independently and with a collaborative spirit to produce scholarship that has theoretical and clinical implications. My educational experience was further enriched by opportunities to assist faculty members with grant-funded projects, meet nationally and internationally recognized researchers, and collaborate with the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center at the VA Medical Center. Through these opportunities, I was exposed to different theoretical, philosophical, and pedagogical perspectives, adding to the overall richness and meaningfulness of my experience. The PhD program at NYU was a rewarding investment in my own intellectual and personal growth.

Michael D'Agati (2005), Doctor of Physical Therapy
NYU's DPT program is exceptional, innovative, and in the forefront of physical therapist education. The education and training of physical therapists is, at present, highly variable and lacks standardization, as I was able to see during my clinical affiliations. NYU's program sets a standard of excellence based on professional standards, clinical reasoning, and evidence. The faculty members, who are leaders in physical therapy education, initiated and developed the conceptual and philosophical curricular bases over two decades through an arduous and creative process, and have put forth the most forward thinking program.

Susan Garritan (2004), Ph.D Program
The strength of any PhD program rests on the quality of its faculty. In this regard, NYU's program in Physical Therapy Research is second to none. Our faculty's research skills, content knowledge, work ethic and dedication to building the theoretical underpinnings of our profession serve as constant sources of inspiration to their students. I am firmly convinced that it was this faculty collaboration and dedication that was instrumental in my receiving the Steinhardt School's Outstanding Dissertation Award.

Jean Kotkiewicz (2005), Doctor of Physical Therapy
The education that I received at NYU served as an excellent basis for me to apply during my clinical affiliations. The curriculum incorporated observations weekly in the best settings available here in New York and the surrounding areas, which added another wonderful aspect to my overall learning.

Edward R. Marion (2004), Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree for Practicing Therapists
I earned my Transitional DPT at New York University while practicing full time in New Jersey. The highly accomplished, dedicated, and supportive faculty of NYU continually worked to make this possible. Their flexibility and creativity enabled me to effectively navigate the rigorous didactic and laboratory program to improve my clinical skills to the doctoral level. Unlike other programs I explored prior to enrolling, I found the NYU facilities to be state of the art, the curriculum current and expansive, with the professors on the cutting edge of research. The transitional DPT at NYU is geared to working professionals who seek the highest quality clinical physical therapist doctoral training available.

Gina Masefield (2005), Doctor of Physical Therapy
This program has given me the knowledge and skill base I needed as I entered the profession of physical therapy. The faculty has designed a curriculum that is comprehensive and rooted in the most current evidence based practice ideals. I was very confident with the education that I received here at NYU.

Laura O'Kelly (1994), Bachelors
Visiting the NYU homepage for the Physical Therapy Department brought a smile to my face and with it a flood of memories. The academic excellence and high expectations of the Physical Therapy program has had a great impact on me and provided the foundation for how I approach and treat my patients. I remember the intensity of learning so much new material, the comaraderie and the feeling of great accomplishment with each passing semester. So often during my days in clinical practice I am thankful for the outstanding education I received at NYU. NYU was the starting block for an exciting career which has opened so many avenues of growth for me. I graduated from the program with the class of 1994 and have been in love with my career ever since.

Kunjal Patel (2006), Doctor of Physical Therapy
Having PASSED my NPTE this past Friday, I wanted to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for the quality education I've received here at NYU. I wouldn't have done it without your support.

Attilio S. Pensavalle (2006), Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree for Practicing Therapists
I have been a practicing physical therapist since 1979 and in private practice since 1982, I enrolled in the Transitional DPT program to elevate my knowledge of clinical science, and to keep in step with the new knowledge base shared by the DPT program graduates whom I employ. I have been extremely satisfied with the NYU PT Department’s clinical science courses focusing on orthopedics, and the neuromuscular, cardiopulmonary, and integumentary systems. The content in pathophysiology, radiology, pharmacology, exercise physiology, and clinical interventions provided a logical and scientifically structured basis from which to enhance my practice. The didactic topics and depth of scientific discussion were substantial and meaningful – even for a physical therapist with my years of experience. The intensity of the course content and the relation to current and future clinical practice was precisely what I was looking for. I had reviewed other transitional DPT programs, including distance learning and alternative/“condensed” programs, and am so glad I selected NYU. The knowledge, skills, and expanded perspective I gained from these courses will help guide and support me for my next 25 years of practice. I have already seen the benefits of my augmented knowledge base, as I have been especially clinically productive during this next phase of my career. There are broad and challenging opportunities on the horizon, in which I intend to briskly participate. One cannot say enough about the faculty, staff, facilities, and services at NYU. The faculty and staff are always available to lend either academic or administrative/logistic support; an aspect that is so important to all students, particularly transitional DPT students since they require unique time management. The depth of knowledge and expertise found within this Physical Therapy Department’s faculty has made the time and effort required of a working DPT student worth the investment. The onsite facilities (including library/study hall, fully equipped clinical classrooms, and computer library), as well as the NYU Medical Library, support the curriculum. The time, planning, and accommodation required of my personal and professional life, though significant, was well worth the effort, as I now have an updated knowledge base to integrate with my 25 years of clinical expertise. With hopefully another 25 years of practice ahead of me, I look forward, as does our profession and the APTA, to providing the quality physical therapy that my patients and clients deserve.

Susan Schultz (2004), Doctor of Physical Therapy
When I look back on the time I spent at NYU, I can’t help but smile. The friendships and professional connections that I made during my physical therapy education will continue to serve me for the years to come. I chose NYU for many reasons: the small class size, the wonderful reputation, the comprehensive curriculum, not to mention its location in one of the greatest cities in the world. The faculty, with a wide range of specialties, exposed me to areas of physical therapy practice that I never knew existed. The opportunities with which NYU was able to provide me undoubtedly “transformed” me from a typical college student into a clinician with the knowledge and skills to make a difference in people’s lives. I know I made the right choice by choosing NYU for my doctoral degree in physical therapy. It has given me the gift of practicing one of the most rewarding professions, and it is for that gift that I will always thank the NYU Physical Therapy Program.

Peter Seeley (1987), Bachelors
I have always been grateful for the education I received at NYU. I take great pride in the reputation the current faculty has at NYU. Also, I have always tried to keep a standard of care in all my professional and academic endeavors to be a proud NYU alumnus.

Sujeeta Sippy (2005), Doctor of Physical Therapy
The program at NYU prepared me to evaluate and provided interventions for the patients and clients we see in practice. The clinical reasoning skills that I developed over the 3 years of the program were absolutely invaluable and enabled me to provide interventions based on those skills.

Jennifer Teyfel (2005), Doctor of Physical Therapy
The program at NYU prepared me well for my clinical affiliations, and I felt well prepared for my first practice position. Over the years, by being placed in multiple clinical sites, I was able to establish a great physical therapy network.

Erica Zimmerman (2005), Doctor of Physical Therapy
For as long as I can remember, physical therapy was the profession that I wanted to be a part of and NYU was the institution that I knew would help get me there. This program has both met and exceeded my expectations in allowing me to grow from a student to entry-level clinician with the confidence in the ability I have to make an impact on the community's health and wellness. As I entered this career as a health professional and in the years to come, I will always be grateful for the advice, help, and resources both the faculty and associated clinicians of NYU have provided me.