New Partnership Opens Doors to Physical Therapy Careers for Westchester Students
NYMC and Archbishop Stepinac High School Create New Agreement for Students Interested in Pursuing Careers as Physical Therapists
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On August 19, New York Medical College (NYMC) and Archbishop Stepinac High School signed a new academic partnership agreement, creating a pathway for Westchester high school students interested in pursuing careers in physical therapy. Through the partnership, graduating students of Stepinac’s Susan and Daniel P. Mahoney ’67 Health Sciences Honor Academy will have preferred admission to NYMC’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) Program, provided they meet all program requirements.
The agreement was celebrated during a signing ceremony at NYMC that brought together representatives from both institutions, including Brian J. Nickerson, Ph.D., J.D., M.P.A., FACHE, dean of the School of Health Sciences and Practice; D.P.T. faculty; Rev. Thomas Collins, president of Archbishop Stepinac High School; and Stepinac students and alumni.
“Today is about creating a connection between two outstanding educational institutions here in Westchester County and giving talented young students an opportunity to begin envisioning their professional future much earlier,” said Michelle Novotny, Ed.D., M.A., senior associate dean for administration and enrollment, highlighting the importance of the new partnership with the growing need for physical therapists.
“The demand for physical therapists is real and growing, and the students who fill that need often decide on this career path early,” said Dr. Nickerson. “This partnership meets them at that moment, giving Stepinac’s most motivated students a clear pathway from high school to a doctoral degree, and giving our communities the skilled clinicians they’ll depend on. We’re proud to partner with Archbishop Stepinac to open the doors for the next generation of health professionals.”
For Stepinac students, the partnership provides an opportunity to explore the profession and begin preparing for a career in physical therapy while still in high school.
“At Archbishop Stepinac, we are committed to helping our students discover their purpose and preparing them to lead lives of service, compassion, and integrity,” said Father Collins. “Our partnership with New York Medical College is an exciting opportunity to expand that mission by giving our students meaningful exposure to the world of medicine and healthcare.”
Also in attendance were Christopher Massari, D.P.T. ’26, NYMC alumnus and Archbishop Stepinac High School Class of 2016, and Bram Newman, M.D., sports medicine physiatrist at Burke Rehabilitation Hospital, where they emphasized the importance of the collaboration between all three organizations.
“As a proud alumnus of both Stepinac and NYMC, this is a great opportunity—one I would have taken advantage of as a student,” said Dr. Massari. “With both schools also having a partnership with Burke Rehabilitation Hospital, it’s exciting to see them come together to bridge the gap between education and clinical practice for these students.”
Bram Newman, M.D., highlighted the broader impact of the collaboration. “It’s nice to see the thread that weaves the collaboration where students can truly embrace what they’ve learned on the educational side.”
Under the agreement, Stepinac graduates seeking preferred admission to NYMC’s D.P.T. Program must complete a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and pursue a major in the sciences, such as health sciences, biology, exercise science, or a related field. In addition, applicants must meet all standard NYMC D.P.T. Program requirements.
As the demand for health care professionals grows, partnerships like this can help students with opportunities to explore health professions early in their educational journey. The agreement marks an important new chapter between NYMC and Archbishop Stepinac, and a promising beginning for Westchester students to take the first steps toward a career in health care.
