Biography

As Director of Community Engagement and faculty in the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program, Bonnie Virag leads community engagement curriculum development and advancement of local and national community-based learning experiences for students in hybrid and on-campus cohorts. She is lead DPT faculty at Birmingham Free Clinic, a pro bono clinic in Pittsburgh where Pitt DPT students and faculty provide free PT services to uninsured community members year-round. She also advises the Pitt DPT Student Service Board, a student-led organization promoting community engagement nationwide. Virag teaches students in the classroom, clinic and community, focusing on social determinants of health, community engagement, working with medically underserved populations and professional development and leadership for DPT students. She is dedicated to creating supportive environments in which students and patients can maximize their strengths and optimize their well-being. She champions inclusive, person-centered care and encourages students to implement accessible, equitable health care practices for all individuals. Her professional career as a physical therapist and certified athletic trainer spans multiple clinical areas of practice including outpatient orthopedics, acute care, subacute rehab and sports medicine in high school, collegiate and professional athletics.