10-year accreditation is extraordinary success for Physical Therapy department

January 17, 2019

By Alex Branch

 
A big year for the Department of Physical Therapy culminated with the program earning national accreditation through 2028.

The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education has deemed the program to be in compliance with the intent of all standards and requirement elements.

“We are thrilled to have earned 10-year accreditation,” said Myles Quiben, PT, PhD, DPT, Interim Chair of the Department. “It is a long process, and our staff and faculty worked extremely hard to demonstrate to the commission that our program and curriculum are of the highest quality.”

The accreditation news capped a year chock full of achievements for the program, which started in 2010. Every graduating student was employed within six months of leaving UNTHSC. The current student body is diverse and service-minded, Dr. Quiben said.

Faculty members were published in 14 journals, delivered 28 peer-reviewed keynote or forum presentations nationally and internationally, and earned several national leadership awards and recognitions.

“That’s really impressive because we are a fairly small faculty,” Dr. Quiben said. “Our program is less than 10 years old, but our faculty and staff really put UNT Health Science Center in the spotlight.”

Dr. Quiben credited Yasser Salem,PT, PhD, for his work on the accreditation process, which began in 2017 while he was the program’s interim chair. Now that accreditation is complete, the department will do a full review of courses, curriculum and policies for student progress.

Faculty and staff are interested in exploring more simulations for students and potential residencies.

“Now that accreditation is over, the work in a sense begins,” Dr. Quiben said. “We will always look for ways to make our program ever greater than it already is.”

Nicoleta Bugnariu, PT, PhD, Interim Dean of the School of Health Professions, called the 10-year accreditation window a recognition of extraordinary teamwork of PT faculty, staff, and students, as well many other team members that support the program.

“HSC should be proud of this win,” she said. “Now we all have this window of opportunity to push boundaries, innovate and encourage an academic climate that is responsive, entrepreneurial and forward thinking. This willcreate a transformative learning experience that will distinguish us from other programs.”