Bellarmine University Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

10/08/2025

10/01/2025

October is Physical Therapy Month! Choose PT!

10/01/2025

BU DPT students are working with community members with the mentorship of faculty at the Thrive Center as part of our Service Learning and Community Engagement Curriculum. Check out this great center focused on optimal aging through innovation.

https://www.thrivecenterky.org

09/30/2025

***Calling All Pediatric Volunteers***

09/29/2025

As we head into fall, we look back fondly at a wonderful summer event - iCanBike Camp! This was a partnership between the Bellarmine PT Program and iCanShine, grant funded through the Crusade for Children.

We're so proud of the kids! They worked so hard and made great strides in their bike riding skills. Learning to ride a bike brought such joy.

We're so grateful for the Bellarmine and Kentuckiana community that came together to make this possible. Over 50 volunteers donated their time, including Bellarmine employees and their relatives, students (Bellarmine, Middle School, and High School), and other community members.

We can't wait for Bike Camp Summer 2026!

09/25/2025

Congratulations to Dr. Audrey Stockwell who was featured in the APTA Magazine this month advocating for grip strength as a measure of health! Dr. Stockwell is an adjunct faculty member in the BU DPT Program and program director of ReVital Cancer Rehabilitation at KORT Physical Therapy in Kentucky.

Dr. Stockwell co-authored research on this topic presented at the APTA Combined Sections Meeting in Houston this year with BU DPT faculty Dr. Chris Wingard and BU DPT students from the Class of 2025: Amanda Biebel, Michael Hinton, Kathleen Henry, and Anna Kate Stukenborg: "Assessing Hand Grip Strength Following a 12-Week Progressive Exercise Program in the Oncology Population.”

https://www.apta.org/apta-magazine/2025/09/01/hands-on-grip-strength-as-a-measure-of-healt

Could a simple squeeze predict overall health? A growing number of PTs say grip strength should be a standard measure of strength and functional status. Here’s why.

09/24/2025

Congratulations to BU DPT Class of 2021 Graduate, Dr. Danielle Morrison, who shares her Defining Moment that confirmed why she became a PT in the APTA Magazine in August 2025. "Extreme Conditions and Exceptional People" shares her story of being a PT in Antarctica.

At the coldest, driest, and windiest place on Earth, a PT finds renewed purpose by treating a deeply motivated population.

09/23/2025

We would love to congratulate and honor our elected Class of 2028 Class Officers!

Co-Presidents - Halle Gilbert and Darrius Thompson
Vice President - Alexi Hardy
Secretary - Kimber Amend
Treasurer - Allison Hamilton
Historian - Kayla Farley
Social Chairs - Hillary Johnson and Madison Lemond
Technology Chair - Victoria Kiley
APTA-KY/APTA Liaisons - Jack Kammerer and Reaghan Scarborough
Pre-PT Liaisons - Mollie Davis and Trisha Sexton
Student Wellness Coordinator - Natalie Harris

09/22/2025

Kentucky Governor Beshear proclaims September 22-26, 2025 as Fall Prevention Awareness Week. Physical Therapists help prevent falls!

09/19/2025

Congratulations to our colleague, Dr. Elaine Lonnemann, recipient of the Dr. David A. Pariser Exceptional Educator Award from the APTA-KY! We're grateful for her mentorship and education of PT students.

At the conference, we enjoyed her moderated Keynote Conversation with Sam Brown on Leadership, Legacy, and Lessons Learned as well as her educational session on Optimizing Movement: Integrating Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy in Adult Neurologic and Pediatric Rehabilitation with Katherine Smith, Mackenzie Ferree, and Kelly Prater Whitmore.

09/19/2025

Congratulations to Melissa McElroy on receiving the Outstanding Clinical Education Award from APTA-KY! Dr. McElroy is a Bellarmine graduate. She's an exceptional Clinical Instructor and we're grateful for all that she does for PT students!

09/18/2025

Congratulations to all recipients of the 2025 All-Academic Team recognized at the APTA-KY Conference, including Bellarmine PT Student, Olivia Potter, Class of 2026!