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On Friday, December 2, 2016, the 51Ʒ�� Department of Physical Therapy, in partnership with the Maine Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), hosted its annual scholarship symposium. 

This year’s event showcased poster presentations of third-year Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) student research projects and case reports. These scholarly presentations are the culmination of the two-semester research and case report track that students complete under the mentorship of faculty in the D.P.T. program. The presentations are designed to model the presentations that occur at national meetings of the APTA, and each year several of these posters are accepted for presentation at these national venues.         

The event also included a keynote address from Steve McDavitt, PT, D.P.T., FAAOMPT, FAPTA, president of the Orthopedic Section of the APTA on “Appreciating Value-Based Physical Therapy Through Understanding Influences From Implementation of Guidelines, Adherent Care and Care Pathways.” McDavitt is a former member of the Board of the APTA and has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the AAOMPT 2001 Menell Service Award, Orthopedic Section of APTA 2008 Paris Distinguished Service Award, and the APTA 2012 Lucy Blair Service Award. These awards acknowledge an outstanding member of those respective organizations whose contributions are of exceptional and enduring value.

The symposium also featured presentations by 51Ʒ��Department of Physical Therapy faculty Tara Paradie, PT, M.S., assistant clinical professor and assistant director of Clinical Education; Brian Swanson, P.T., D.S.c., O.C.S., F.A.A.O.M.P.T., assistant professor; Erin Hartigan, PT, D.P.T., Ph.D., O.C.S., A.T.C., assistant professor; and Michael Sheldon, PT, Ph.D., program director and associate professor. Matthew Somma, D.P.T. ’09, President of Maine Chapter APTA also presented.

To learn more about the 51Ʒ��’s Westbrook College of Health Professions visit

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