The Department of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) in the School of Health Sciences and Practice (SHSP) recently achieved outstanding outcomes in two educational standards—full reaccreditation and 100 percent first-time passing rate on the National Physical Therapy Examination—validating its excellence in physical therapy education. The D.P.T. program received full reaccreditation for ten years from the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), with a written commendation. The program was found to be in full compliance with all standards and required elements for reaccreditation, and CAPTE stated they appreciated the thorough and professional manner in which the accreditation obligations were addressed in the official notification letter: “The Commission commends the program for the quality of its Self-study Report. The Program submitted a well-written, thorough, concise and comprehensive Self-study Report that clearly conveyed the nature and scope of the educational experience.” In the formal Summary of Action, CAPTE noted, “The program is meeting its mission as evidenced by a focus on community service, scholarship, and interprofessional collaboration within the program that fosters a commitment to the health and wellness of society.”
Michael J. Majsak, P.T., Ed.D., center, associate professor and chair of the Department of Physical Therapy, is proud of his team’s effort. “I couldn’t be more pleased. Our ten-year reaccreditation with a written commendation from CAPTE for our program and Self-study is about as good as it gets. As CAPTE stated, our program achievements result from interprofessional collaboration with faculty and resources across all three of our schools, as well as support from our wonderful administrative departments. It is not merely our teaching and coursework. It really does take a village,” said Dr. Majsak.
Dr. Majsak gives props and appreciation to the student recruitment efforts of the SHSP Office of Admissions; the exceptional services of the Offices of the Registrar and the Bursar; the sound advice of the Office of Student Financial Planning; the attention of the Office of Student and Residential Life; the dedicated efforts of the Health Sciences Library in helping students attain the evidence they need for their education; the counsel of the Office of Academic Support in promoting student academic success; and security and student health services personnel for keeping students safe and healthy.
SHSP Dean Robert W. Amler, M.D., M.B.A., SHSP Vice Dean Ben C. Watson, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, and SHSP Assistant Dean Verne R. Smith, J.D., were instrumental in substantiating the sound financial and administrative structure of NYMC for the reaccreditation process which included an in-depth site visit.
“The facilities team had us looking our very best for the site visit. Just as impressive was the tour of Clinical Skills and Simulation Center. The CAPTE team looked very closely at our entire program and every detail was important,” said Dr. Majsak. “I am also grateful to our many part-time clinical faculty, numerous clinic coordinators and research partners, students and alumni for their contributions to our reaccreditation efforts. We are proud that we are, in accordance with the Pathways to Progress Strategic Plan put forth by Dean Amler, creating an exceptional student experience.”
The second educational standard that the Department of Physical Therapy recently met with remarkable success was a 100 percent first-time passing rate on the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) by the 2017 graduates of the D.P.T. program. Data from the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy showed that the 2017 NYMC first-time pass rate was 6.8 percent above the average U.S. pass rate, and the NYMC mean scale score of 695.2, was 14.7 points above the national mean score. Dr. Majsak proudly stated, “We are very pleased to once again attain a 100 percent first-time passing rate on the national licensure exam. This is the third time in four years that we have achieved that mark, and we look forward to our continued success. Our high first-time pass rates are a testament to the excellent students we attract, the dedicated academic and clinical faculty who work with and mentor our students, and the wonderful support we enjoy from our entire NYMC community.”
“Now in its 24th year, our physical therapy program continues to exceed expectations. Congratulations to Dr. Majsak and our faculty and students for these back-to-back accomplishments—full reaccreditation and 100 percent board passage by our graduates. It’s an exciting time for the burgeoning field of physical therapy and New York Medical College is well equipped to be at the forefront,” Dr. Amler said.
The Department of Physical Therapy from left: Catherine L. Curtis, P.T., M.A., Ed.M., Ed.D., assistant professor of physical therapy; Diane Montagnoli, clinical education secretary; Fiona A. Villate, administrative secretary; Kristina M. Welsome, M.S.P.T., D.P.T., O.C.S., C.F.M.T., M.T.C., assistant professor of physical therapy; Michael J. Majsak, P.T., Ed.D., associate professor and chair of the Department of Physical Therapy; Janet P. Dolot, M.S., D.P.T., Dr.P.H. ’14, PT, OCS, assistant professor of physical therapy; Susan L. Ronan, P.T., D.P.T., P.C.S., assistant professor of physical therapy; Gale J. Lavinder, P.T. Ed.D., assistant professor of physical therapy; and S. Nikki Gawronski, P.T., D.P.T, G.C.S., assistant professor of physical therapy.