Department of Physical Therapy holds first annual alumni networking event
On Oct. 10, the UIC Department of Physical Therapy hosted approximately 75 students, alumni, faculty and staff in AHSB for networking and refreshments, a lecture and a Q&A.
Alumni from across PT’s long history were in attendance, offering current students a chance to learn from and connect with the department’s past. The first cohort of PT graduates earned their degrees in 1973, making the department more than 50 years old.
“We hope to make this a tradition,” said PT clinical assistant professor Richard Severin, “and will try to place it closer to orientation to connect the newest cohort of students with the department’s illustrious history.”
The event’s keynote speaker was PT professor emerita and former department head Suzann K. Campbell, whose research and publications on pediatric physical therapy have become standard resources for physical therapy programs across North America. Her lecture and the subsequent Q&A focused on the delay in applying transformative research in clinical settings.
“The alumni and students were very appreciative of the chance to affiliate with Dr. Campbell, who’s been an integral part of the department and practice,” said PT professor Tanvi Bhatt.
After this inaugural event’s success, the department hopes to expand the offerings to include round tables or other informal conversation opportunities, keeping participants’ interests peaked with discussions on hot topics in the field of PT.