Increasing Diversity and Inclusion in Physical Therapy
The University of Pittsburgh Department of Physical Therapy is committed to building an equitable and inclusive environment for physical therapy education, research and service. We believe that our educational programs, research and communities are all made stronger by embracing individual and cultural differences.
We recognize that our profession is not as diverse as the communities in which we practice, and we believe that the department has the responsibility to improve diversity throughout the physical therapy profession.
The department’s dedication and unwavering commitment to reflect the inherent and equal value of all people has – and will continue to – positively impact the face of the department’s staff, faculty and students. Pitt PT fully embraces its role in preparing the next generation of physical therapists who will be comprised of, and ready to care for, people of all abilities, religions, marital status, familial status, sexes, ages, sexual orientations, veteran status, national origins, ancestries, races, colors, genetic information, gender identities and expressions, and socioeconomic status.
The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program has forged ahead to develop and implement strategies that will continue to expand access to DPT education, increase graduate presence in medically underserved regions within Pennsylvania and across the nation, introduce young students from under-represented groups to careers in physical therapy, and ultimately change the face of the profession such that it better reflects the communities and populations it serves.
Recent Inclusion Outcomes
Student Body and Faculty Diversity
With leadership from our department’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) workgroup, we have actively implemented strategies to improve diversity among our students, faculty and staff. We also participate in development activities to ensure that all Pitt PT faculty, staff and graduates are both knowledgeable about systemic inequalities in the health care system and dedicated to reducing disparities in health and health care.
In the past three years, these efforts have already resulted in pronounced outcomes in the diversity of our student body and faculty:
Starting with the admission of the Pitt DPT student cohort in August 2021, the average percentage of non-white Pitt DPT students has increased from approximately 11.5% to approximately 32.5%. We have also seen an increase in 1st gen (5%), self-identified from disadvantaged background (6%), and self-identified from medically under-served area (5%).
Since 2021, Pitt PT has seen increased diversity among faculty, from approximately 4.3% non-white to approximately 22% non-white.
Our intent is to identify and attend to the gaps in recruitment and admissions that would better enable our programs to recruit a more diverse student body and faculty to meet our mission, the future of the physical therapy profession and a society free of barriers to rehabilitation.
DEI Seminar Series
The implementation of a seminar series offers faculty, staff, students and partners of the DPT program the opportunity to interactively engage in topics related to racial and social injustices. Based on Assistant Professor Allyn Bove’s work with focus groups, the following DEI seminar offerings have been provided to faculty, staff and students:
Unpacking White Privilege
Culturally Competent Medical Care
Patients with Disabilities: How to Advocate
Effective Physical Therapy for Transgender Patients
Incorporating Equity into Physical Therapy
Healthcare Providers and Undocumented Patients
Embracing Body Positivity in Rehabilitation
Safety and Equity for Transgender Physical Therapists
Other topics that were not part of the focus group recommendations:
Disparities in Physical Therapy Access
Ableism in Rehabilitation Sciences
Artificial Intelligence in Physical Therapy – Impact on Health Justice
Historical Perspectives on Women’s Healthcare in the U.S.
Physical Therapy Considerations for the Menopausal Physical Therapist
Community Engagement
The Department of Physical Therapy is proud of its community partnerships with the SHRS Wellness Pavilion at the University of Pittsburgh Community Engagement Center in Homewood and the Birmingham Free Clinic, and looks forward to continuing to serve alongside these organizations in helping to meet the needs of the greater Pittsburgh community.
Watch our video on DPT in the Community!
Pitt DPT students are committed to community engagement nationwide, playing important roles in enhancing health and well-being of communities:
In Pittsburgh, they support older adult fitness classes at senior high-rise buildings in low-income neighborhoods, bringing accessible, safe physical activity for our more vulnerable community members.
In 2023, nearly 50 DPT students and faculty provided fitness screenings to hundreds of older adult athletes at the National Senior Games.
Students have led dynamic presentations at youth career exploration events nationally, raising awareness of the PT profession among students from groups historically underrepresented in health science careers.
Students educate the public on the benefits of physical therapy and the importance of physical activity at community events, block parties and health fairs, supporting the health and wellbeing of community members of all ages.
Pitt PT is committed to bringing awareness of the physical therapy profession to undergraduate students interested in the health sciences. The Advancing Diversity in Physical Therapy, or ADaPT@Pitt, program is designed to engage, recruit and advance diverse students into graduate physical therapy education. The week-long immersive event provides 10 scholars with an opportunity to stay on campus and participate in activities such as panel discussions with physical therapists and DPT students, professional and peer social events and informational sessions for completing their graduate school application.
