The health sciences university’s inaugural class of 50 Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students is slated to begin this summer.
For Immediate Release:
(Yakima, WA) — Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU) is now accepting applications to join its inaugural Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) class. The DPT program is expected to welcome up to 50 students each year where alongside students from PNWU’s nationally ranked College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM) and Master of Arts in Medical Sciences (MAMS) program, they will be educated and trained to deliver healthcare services to rural and medically underserved communities throughout the Northwest.
“I am thrilled to have achieved this important milestone for PNWU’s School of Physical Therapy,” said Peggy R. Trueblood, PT, PhD, professor, and director for the School of Physical Therapy. “We have a great group of dedicated and committed faculty that are excited to be a part of educating the next generation of physical therapists here in the Yakima Valley. I am so grateful for the outpouring of support from the community and PNWU.”
The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) officially granted Candidate for Accreditation status to PNWU’s DPT program on Nov. 2, 2021. This status allows the non-profit university to begin matriculating students to begin their educations at the university in the summer of 2022. The exciting development comes after years of research and feasibility studies, key personnel recruitment, curriculum development, and infrastructure establishment. Eleven core full-time faculty members and more than fifteen part-time faculty are already in place and working to establish the program. Dr. Trueblood came to the University in August of 2019, having previously led Fresno State University’s physical therapy program for 15 years, to start the process of founding the new program.
“We are very excited about receiving candidacy status for the School of Physical Therapy and being able to enroll our inaugural class this coming August,” said PNWU Provost Edward Bilsky, PhD. “The DPT program will help us meet the healthcare needs of Central Washington and the Northwest, while also adding to the vibrant interprofessional health education already taking place on our Yakima campus.”
“I came here to make a difference, and with everyone’s help, the School of Physical Therapy plans to do just that,” exclaimed Dr. Trueblood. “The impacts of our program will not only reverberate here at PNWU, but in the rural and underserved communities throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond!”
PNWU’s application for candidacy was finalized and submitted to CAPTE on June 2, 2021. The candidacy visit report with the institution’s response was received by CAPTE on September 1, 2021, and the next progress report is due to be submitted on June 1, 2022. The decision on accreditation is projected to come forward in the Spring of 2025, with the first-class expected to graduate in May of 2025.
“I am looking forward to seeing the impact of the program’s research and scholarship in advancing the practice of physical therapy in preventing injuries, enhancing rehabilitation from injury, and allowing people to maintain the highest possible level of health and wellness,” added Dr. Bilsky. “Dr. Trueblood and her team are truly world-class, and we are fortunate to have them at PNWU.”
Achieving Candidate for Accreditation status does not assure the program will become accredited. The Commission’s decision to grant accreditation will be based on the program’s ability to demonstrate compliance with the standards and required elements.
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Please contact Paul Bubluski, PNWU Assistant Director of Content, for all inquiries and requests related to this release.