Biography

As a passionate advocate for experiential learning, Tara Hankin is dedicated to creating pathways that empower students to excel in hands-on, real-world settings. In her role as Associate Dean of Clinical Partnerships, Hankin supports experiential learning initiatives across SHRS, focusing on building strong clinical partnerships to provide students with immersive learning opportunities. One of Hankin’s greatest joys is collaborating with a network of health care professionals to craft dynamic clinical experiences that prepare students for diverse career paths.

With a career devoted to organizing clinical training for both entry-level and post-professional physical therapists, Hankin brings a wealth of experience to shaping learning environments that blend rigor with real-world application. Her scholarly work focuses on identifying and addressing barriers faced by underserved and underrepresented students in healthcare programs. Through the ADaPT (Advancing Diversity in Physical Therapy) program, Hankin is committed to building inclusive pathways that support students from diverse backgrounds.

Hankin’s passion for this field was sparked by the innovative, multidisciplinary approach to sports medicine and orthopedics at UPMC. The opportunity to contribute to such interprofessional care—and to shape the next generation of practitioners within it—is incredibly fulfilling for Hankin.