Rewan and Sewar Alrabadi Aspire to Make Double the Impact in Physical Therapy
Twin Sisters Share One Dream: Opening Their Own Clinic
Sewar Alrabadi, left, and Rewan Alrabadi, right, D.P.T. Class of 2027, are making history as the first set of twins to attend the School of Health Sciences and Practice’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) Program. The sisters will also be the newest doctors in their family’s growing legacy of health care professionals.
"The more you're in this program, the more you learn how physical therapy connects with other fields—whether it’s speech-language pathologists, doctors, or nurses," said Rewan Alrabadi. "We figured there were already enough doctors and nurses in the family, so we thought, 'Why not choose a career that complements those roles?'"
Yonkers, New York, born and raised, the identical twins once envisioned entirely different careers, including becoming a fashion designer, teacher, pediatrician, and ophthalmologist. A growing interest in health and movement led them to earn their Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Lehman College before enrolling at New York Medical College (NYMC).
"The professors are incredibly knowledgeable and expose us to a wide range of areas—some specialize in outpatient care, others in inpatient, and some even bring in the academic side of the field for those interested in teaching," said Sewar Alrabadi. "I really appreciate that each professor has their own specialty and so many impressive certifications. It’s inspiring, that’s exactly what I aspire to be. They’re all so motivating, and I truly feel like I owe them a lot. They’ve sparked my interest in so many areas of physical therapy."
A built-in best friend, study partner, and motivator, each sister is thrilled to continue her academic journey alongside the other. The sisters also share an undeniably strong sense of twin telepathy. Whether it’s finishing each other’s sentences or instinctively knowing what the other needs during high-stress study sessions, their connection is effortless. As one of 12 sets of twins in their family, the Alrabadi sisters are now preparing for their upcoming clinicals. After spending most of their lives side by side, they’re excited for their brief time apart during clinicals for the chance to share, reflect, and learn from each other’s unique experiences along the way.
Though they grew up matching in both looks and outfits, confusing their teachers in elementary and middle school, their future paths after NYMC will be anything but identical. "I’d like to work in acute care, but I also want to keep my skills sharp by trying outpatient settings too—maybe in an orthopedic clinic—so I’m considering splitting my time between the two," said Sewar Alrabadi.
"I'm also interested in acute care, specifically cardiopulmonary rehab," said Rewan Alrabadi. "This semester, there's been a strong emphasis on it, and I’ve found myself really engaged. I’ve been especially drawn to it, and it seems like the area I’d want to focus on for inpatient work."
While their professional interests may branch in different directions, the sisters are excited about one shared destination. "Eventually, the dream is to open our own clinic—that's further down the line," said Rewan Alrabadi. "We think it would be really special to have twin sisters running a physical therapy clinic together. It’s definitely a great conversation starter and could help us build strong rapport with our patients."
