Fall 2019 CSU DPT Program Clinical Education Update

Since my last update, things at CSU DPT have been extremely busy, in a positive way!  I am happy to share a brief update with you. 

Curriculum Update: We have completed Phase 1 of a curricular revision, aimed at strengthening our current program & also improving access to students from different backgrounds.  We have moved several pre-requisites (anatomy, pathology, neuroscience) into the program, re-organized & streamlined other content to promote integration, and have reduced the total number of weeks of clinical education from 41 weeks to 38 weeks.  In order to provide meaningful clinical experiences for our students and optimize our clinical partnerships, we have also done the following (beginning with the incoming DPT Class of 2022):

• reduced our first full-time clinical experience from 10 weeks to 8 weeks
• combined our two terminal clinical experiences from separate 8 & 7 week placements into a single 14-week experience

The rationale behind these changes is too lengthy to describe here, but we carefully considered feedback from current students, alumni, faculty, employers, and also our clinical partners. Please note that these changes in clinical education experiences will begin to appear in the annual March mailing this coming March 2020 for summer 2021 Applied PT I clinical experiences only (the combined terminal placement for all students will begin in fall 2022).    

Now that we have successfully moved these important pre-requisites into the program, we are beginning Phase 2.  With this phase, we are looking even more broadly at the curriculum to design something that we believe will push us forwards alongside physical therapy practice & our evolving healthcare system.  I am happy to answer any questions you may have, so please don’t hesitate to reach out. 

Outstanding Clinical Educator Awards:  Each year at our Prestige Speaker event in the fall, we are excited to honor a clinical educator who has made a significant impact in the development of our CSU DPT students, and who has promoted the mission, vision and core values of our program through their clinical teaching.  Clinicians are nominated by students with final selection by the DPT faculty.  Although we have already honored these individuals at the event, I would also like to share this information about both the 2018 & 2019 award recipients here:

2019    Kevin Brochetti, PT, DPT, COMPT, OCS, FAAOMPT

            Louis Stokes Cleveland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Dr. Brochetti graduated from CSU with his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2013.  He subsequently completed Orthopedic Residency and Manual Therapy Fellowship Programs through the Institute of Therapeutic Sciences.  He is Board Certified by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties in orthopedics.  Dr. Brochetti is employed by The Department of Veterans Affairs at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center.  CSU is extremely fortunate that Kevin has sought opportunities to mentor future clinicians through service as a clinical instructor for our program.  He has committed to training highly motivated DPT students in orthopedics and manual therapy annually through our 15-week terminal clinical experience/specialty practicum.

Below is an excerpt from his nomination letter from one of our CSU DPT students:    

Dr. Brochetti has made an impact in my clinical education by expanding the horizon of the physical therapy profession for me. He has completed his residency and fellowship, so he is able to present an astounding amount of knowledge and information in a way that is easy to comprehend. Dr. Brochetti has a practice style that is rooted in patient-centered care, as he is compassionate towards his patients by treating each person as an individual rather than just another patient with knee or back problems.  He works hard on solving the puzzle of what is causing his patient’s pain and works to the best of his ability to engage the patient in the care that will help his/her recovery. The VA Medical Center treats a huge variety of patients with different cultures, races, and socioeconomic status. Dr. Brochetti takes an innovative approach to his treatment styles by utilizing many tools from his toolbox, those being functional dry needling, needling with e-stim, cupping, HawkGrips instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization, and many more. He attends various continuing education courses throughout the year and is always current on the latest research topics. He attends a multitude of professional events in which he advocates for the PT profession. Dr. Brochetti has made a huge impact in my clinical education, and I believe he consistently demonstrates the CSU DPT Program’s mission, vision, and core values.

2018    William Mallory, PT, MSPT

            MetroHealth Medical Center - Parma

Mr. Mallory graduated from CSU with his Master of Science in Physical Therapy in 2006.  Bill has worked with our program in a variety of capacities, including service as a clinical instructor for over a decade with students across all clinical levels.  He has also worked with students as a part-time lab instructor and in service with our pro bono physical therapy clients through our partnership with the Preventative Care Center at Cuyahoga Community College.  Bill works for MetroHealth Medical Center at their location in Parma.  He received two separate nominations from students, and below are some excerpts from their nomination letters. 

“Bill has a strong background in exercise science, and MDT treatment approach, but he remains open and understanding about a student’s different approach and ideas towards treatment options which allows for a strong collaboration. He has inspired my professional practice moving forward because he leads by example and demonstrates high quality care with good return, success rates and high patient satisfaction with his clients.””

His experience as a clinical educator is unmistakable, as he is calculated in how he approaches each student in an individualized fashion, just as he provides individualized care in all of his patient interactions. His methodical approach to clinical education gradually guides students through individual mastery of the various components of clinical practice, leading to the ultimate reward of outstanding clinical knowledge and practice habits.  He is truly a catalyst for change in optimizing the health of his patients through his sincere effort to provide them with patient-centered care, valuable education, and many laughs and grins.”

We thank you both Bill and Kevin for your longstanding support of and service to our CSU DPT Program!