D.P.T. Class of 2025 Present Community Service Projects
Students Showcased their Initiatives in Community Health and Wellness, the Race for Rehab and Global Outreach
Students from the New York Medical College (NYMC) Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) Class of 2025 in the School of Health Sciences and Practice presented their community service projects on November 30. Students shared information and lessons learned through their projects in health and wellness, the Race for Rehab and global outreach.
These projects serve as platforms for students to demonstrate their commitment to being active members of their communities. By engaging in these meaningful experiences, students were able to develop the applicable skills as future physical therapists. Members of the D.P.T. Class of 2026 were in attendance, absorbing important information that will benefit them as they carry out the projects next year.
Catherine Curtis, Ed.D., Ed.M., M.A., PT, assistant professor of physical therapy, wrapped up the event with a few parting words for the presenters: “You all should be very proud of yourselves for what you’ve accomplished. Behind each of those outcome measures, one hopes there is a smile. You should be very pleased.”
D.P.T. Class of 2025 Community Service Projects
Health and Wellness
The Health and Wellness group provided screenings and shared educational materials, as well as physical activity tips at various community events throughout the semester such as the Annual Neighborhood Health Fair hosted by White Plains Hospital on September 30. They also partnered with the Grandpas United of the White Plains Youth Bureau on fall prevention screenings; as well as offered warm-up and cool-down exercises to participants in the Race for Rehab.
Students: Justin Augustin, Youssef Ibrahim, Gaetano Modica, Tori Moore, Lauren Riccobono, Veronica Sevivas, Abid Shah, Amit Shah, Steven Shifren Peter Valdez, Jordan Vazquez and Edward Weng
Faculty Advisors: S. Nikki Gawronski, D.P.T., PT, assistant professor of physical therapy and Kristina Welsome, D.P.T., PT, OCS, assistant professor of physical therapy
25th Annual Race for Rehab
The Race for Rehab project group organized the 2023 5K Race for Rehab race that benefits Achilles International, a non-profit organization that provides support for athletes with disabilities. This year’s race was the 25th anniversary and the most successful to date, raising $16,000.
Students: Raina Alexander, Daisy Alvarez, Jamie Barrett, Bettina Brutus, Peter Calicchia, Destiny Ferguson, Justinian Michaels, Gaby Pagnotta, Kari Pansler, Alejandra Rivas, Rania Saleb, Cristina Santamaria, Sarah Smith, Rommel Torres, Shayla Unger and Maria Verderosa
Faculty Advisors: Janet Dolot, M.S., D.P.T., Dr.P.H. ’14, PT, OCS, associate professor of physical therapy, chief, division of physical therapy and Anthony Sozzo, M.A., M.S.Ed., associate dean of student affairs.
Global Outreach
The Global Outreach group’s project was centered around humanitarian efforts for the Commonwealth of Dominica, which is still recovering from Hurricane Maria in 2017. Goods were collected, sorted, and packed by the team before being shipped to the island nation. Funds and supplies were raised through donations and collection drives.
Students: Safraz Ali, Michelle Archambault, Angelo Berona, Jeff Daniel Duro, Sam Delgado, Jake Hymowitz, Ray Huang, Patrick Lee, Alex Morales, Steven Morella, Denny 0'Hara, Frank Schultz, Anthony Tran, Kenn Tran, Whitnie Torchon and Yue Tang
Faculty Advisors: Catherine L. Curtis, Ed.D., Ed.M., M.A., PT, assistant professor of physical therapy, and Gale Lavinder, Ed.D., PT, adjunct assistant professor of physical therapy
