2018 Trine University
White Coat Ceremony

DPT Class of 2021

On August 31, 2018 Trine University's DPT Class of 2021 recited the Oath of a Physical Therapist and became part of the Physical Therapy community. The program began with a welcome from Dr. Tom Ruediger, DPT Program Director, followed by comments from Dr. John Shannon, Vice President of Academic Affairs. Many relatives, friends, and community members were in attendance to demonstrate their support for students and the DPT program.

This year's guest speakers were DPT Class of 2018 graduates, Dr. Alexandra DeBoer and Dr. Breanna Duso. Alex, recipient of the DPT Most Outstanding Student Award, shared her insight recommending students take advantage of every possible opportunity including guidance and support from faculty members. Breanna, 2018's DPT Distinguished Student, offered her classes' Top 10 Pieces of Advice for the Class of 2021.

Team Rehab PT Student Scholarship Winner

Katie Leach, DPT Class of 2019

Team Rehab scholarships are intended to reward and encourage physical therapy students who are demonstrating potential to be outstanding practicing clinicians. One scholarship is awarded to a third year PT student from each Indiana PT program. Recipients of these scholarships are awarded a stipend of $2,000, which will be distributed at the INAPTA Fall Conference Awards Banquet during the student’s final fall semester in physical therapy school.

Katie applied for the scholarship in April by submitting her resume, transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a cover letter describing her career objectives, highlighting what makes her a team player striving for excellence within the clinical environment.

Congratulations, and well done Katie!

American Society of Biomechanics Annual Meeting

Class of 2019 Physical Therapy Students,
Emily Watkins and Taylor Miller

DPT faculty member, Thomas Gus Almonroeder, and PT students, Emily Watkins and Taylor Miller, had the opportunity to present their research findings at the American Society of Biomechanics Annual Meeting on August 10, 2018 at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

The titles of their poster presentations are, 'Verbal Instruction Reduces Patellofemoral Joint Loading during Bodyweight Squatting’ and ‘Decision-Making Influences Tibial Impact Accelerations during Lateral Cutting.' Both projects received positive feedback from conference attendees and abstract reviewers. The projects also relied on contributions from Professor Tricia Widenhoefer and PT students, Logan Lucas, Ben England, Travis Mason, and Chris Lanning.

American Board of Physical Therapy Specialities Certification

Nicole Edmonds, PT, DPT, CEIM 
Tom Ruediger, PT, DPT, DSc

Dr. Nicole Edmonds (Pediatric) and Dr. Tom Ruediger (Sports) earned American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties certification this summer. This certification formally recognizes physical therapists who have demonstrated advanced clinical knowledge and skills in a specific area of physical therapist practice. Dr. Edmonds, who teaches pediatric content in the DPT curriculum, is the second Pediatric Clinical Specialist in Fort Wayne. Dr. Ruediger, Trine's DPT Program Director, is the first Sports Clinical Specialist in Fort Wayne. Congratulations to you both!