Inclusion at Pitt PT: How We Are Taking Action
The three-part plan to Communicate Our Strengths, Strengthen Our Partnerships, and Advance Our Efforts allows us to demonstrate what we are doing and how we continue to disrupt the barriers to:
- Diversify the identities among practicing physical therapists
- Maintain and advance the climate of inclusivity among the students, staff and faculty of our department
- Prepare physical therapists to be ready for and embrace the opportunity to care for patients of all identities, experiences, backgrounds and perspectives
This initiative aligns with:
- Our University’s goal and strategies to promote Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
- The mission of our Office of Health Sciences Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
- The values that define our School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
- The goals of our Department of Physical Therapy programs
1. Communicate Our Strengths
Help Students Explore Their Identities
A Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Work Group made up of Pitt PT faculty, students, alumni and community partners has been leading an initiative to define our commitment and pursue actions to explore various identities and create an environment of belonging with the intent to understand each other, and for an explicit mission of equity, justice and inclusion of all individuals and thoughts.
Equip Faculty with Skills to Build Inclusive Environments
Recent enhancements to the physical therapy curriculum are strengthening cultural competence and better emphasizing high-quality instruction regarding gender health. Given the commitment to population and community health, the program has integrated aspects of community engagement and inter-professional practice into the curriculum such that all students graduate having engaged in considerable community and inter-professional activities.
The program has also integrated information related to social determinants of health into a variety of courses - engaging students in foundational content and interactive discussions that highlight the relevancy and importance of the topic - while also establishing an expectation of leadership in integrating the concepts into contemporary practice.
Our faculty search committee members have engaged in training sessions completed with the Pitt Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion to better guide our efforts and limit biases in recruiting, retaining and recognizing an excellent and diverse faculty.
Student Organizations Support Diversity Initiatives
Physical therapy students and faculty have engaged in focus group discussions to identify and develop diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. The intent of the focus groups is to maintain transparent and clear communications with the student body as it relates to their concerns, engage student ideas, foster thought and discussion and collectively accept and address the challenge to lead change.
Assistant Professor Allyn Bove is enhancing program efforts to prepare DPT students to treat a diverse patient population through her Year of Diversity grant that looks at students' comfort treating patients of diverse backgrounds, and asking them how their DPT program helped prepare them for working with patients with different backgrounds. Based on Bove's work and recommendations identified through student listening sessions, Pitt PT DEI seminar topics have included sessions on:
- LBGTQIA+ Advocacy in PT
- Journal Club: Gender Pay Gaps in PT
- Immigrant and Refugee Health
- Unique Rural Healthcare Needs
- Pro Bono PT Services - A How-To
- Educator and Provider Bias
- Becoming a Disability Advocate
2. Strengthen Our Partnerships
Enhance Engagement with Students, Faculty and Staff
We have developed a new partnership with the Office of Health Sciences Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (HSDEI) in order to better support the efforts of the HSDEI and to better connect the resources of the HSDEI to our students, staff and faculty in consistent and meaningful ways.
The program has connected students to SHRS Affinity Groups to enhance connection and belongingness among students.
Identify Resources to Connect with Students, Faculty and Staff
We have implemented and will continue to draw upon the resources of the University to support efforts and events aimed at advancing diversity, equity and inclusion.
We have developed and will continue to grow a Canvas learning site for our program dedicated to resources to promote diversity, equity and inclusion.
3. Advance Our Efforts
Spread the Initiatives Across SHRS
Our goal is to collaborate with the other departments in SHRS to expand and integrate the diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives across the school and beyond. The DPT program has worked alongside faculty and students from the Departments of Occupational Therapy and Physician Assistant Studies and the School of Pharmacy among other programs to develop and implement interprofessional learning activities to span the health care provider team.
We are working with the SHRS Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Community Engagement to develop regular departmental programming for students, staff and faculty related to diversity, equity and inclusion and community engagement.
Renovate Recruitment, Admissions and Hiring to Focus on Diversity and Inclusion
Pitt PT is committed to building an equitable and inclusive environment for physical therapy education, research and service. We engage in a holistic review process with admissions, have implemented a student ambassador team to better engage the "student voice" and representation in admissions, and have implemented processes and trainings that have led to an increase in faculty and staff diversity.
After conducting an in-depth review of the program’s admissions process, we have consulted with a renowned expert to: expand admission opportunities for under-recruited persons of color, share experiences with students and faculty, and facilitate discussions with faculty that would lead towards actionable reforms of the admission process to specifically minimize biases and ensure equal opportunities for all applicants.
Seek Opportunities for Community Engagement
We are teaming up with community organizations in Pittsburgh to foster interest in and understanding of the PT profession, especially among disadvantaged children, adolescents and older adults.
Our physical therapy students are leading the way in youth career exploration events nationwide, engaging with students from elementary through high school to diversify the profession and raise awareness. They participate in innovative programs like a virtual Shark Tank at Abell Junior High in Midland Texas, STEM initiatives, and health sciences career academies. Through career exposure and enrichment programs like PittEnrich, Health Professions Prep, and Investing Now, they inspire young minds to explore careers in physical therapy. By returning to their local schools to give presentations and participating in career days across the country, Pitt DPT students are dedicated to fostering interest in health sciences among diverse and underrepresented groups, paving the way for the next generation of physical therapists.