As National Physical Therapy Month comes to a close, Hampton University is highlighting the importance of collaboration, professional development, and patient-centered care in preparing the next generation of rehabilitation professionals.
Through its Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program, Hampton University is strengthening the physical therapist–physical therapist assistant (PT–PTA) relationship through educational partnerships with Riverside College of Health Sciences and ECPI University. These collaborations provide students with opportunities to learn alongside their peers, develop professional relationships, and gain a deeper understanding of how teamwork contributes to effective rehabilitation care.
The partnerships reflect a shared commitment to excellence in physical therapy education, mutual respect for the distinct contributions of physical therapists and physical therapist assistants, and a common goal of improving the lives of patients and the communities they serve.
One example is Hampton DPT students’ participation in a spinal cord injury laboratory experience at Riverside College of Health Sciences. Working alongside physical therapist assistant students, Hampton students collaborate on mobility interventions based on patient case studies before presenting their findings to classmates. Students discuss patient evaluations, examination findings, prognoses, and plans of care, gaining practical insight into the complementary roles and responsibilities of rehabilitation professionals.
Hampton students also participate in an immersive dementia simulation at Riverside, helping them better understand the challenges individuals living with dementia may encounter, particularly those affecting physical therapy participation and independent living. At Riverside Rehabilitation Hospital, students observe patient care involving individuals with neurological impairments and see firsthand how physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language therapists work together to optimize patient outcomes. These experiences also introduce students to specialized rehabilitation equipment and therapeutic interventions used in clinical practice.
Hampton’s partnership with ECPI University’s Physical Therapist Assistant Program further extends collaborative learning beyond the classroom. Through initiatives such as Golden Years Wellness Day and shared educational sessions focused on community health, therapeutic exercise, and physical agents, students from both institutions strengthen their communication skills and deepen their appreciation for the complementary roles they will play in rehabilitation settings.
Perhaps most importantly, these experiences foster professional relationships that continue beyond individual learning activities. Many DPT and PTA students have remained in contact throughout their respective educational journeys, building connections that lay the groundwork for future collaboration in clinical practice.
As National Physical Therapy Month concludes, Hampton University’s work serves as a reminder that advancing rehabilitation care begins long before professionals enter the workforce. By creating opportunities for students to learn with and from one another, the University is helping cultivate a culture of collaboration, compassion, and shared responsibility that extends from the classroom to the clinical setting.
Through its partnerships with Riverside College of Health Sciences and ECPI University, Hampton continues to invest in the future of physical therapy by preparing practice-ready rehabilitation professionals who understand that better patient care begins with working together.
About the contributors
Elizabeth Locke, PT, Ph.D., is chair of Hampton University’s Department of Physical Therapy. Charlene Jensen, PT, DPT, MMHPE, serves as adjunct faculty in Hampton University’s Department of Physical Therapy and dean of Allied Health Programs at Riverside College of Health Sciences. Justina Morales, PTA, is program director at ECPI University.
About Hampton University
Founded in 1868, Hampton University is one of the nation’s strongest Historically Black Colleges and Universities and a prestigious Carnegie R2-designated research institution. For more than 150 years, Hampton has prepared world-ready leaders of character and consequence through a distinctive educational experience grounded in academic excellence, leadership, innovation, and service.
Home to students from 44 states and 32 countries and territories, the University is nationally recognized for groundbreaking research in atmospheric science, cancer research, cybersecurity, marine and environmental science, and other disciplines that address society’s most pressing challenges. With an annual economic impact of $515 million across the Commonwealth of Virginia, Hampton continues to advance discovery, strengthen communities, and prepare graduates to lead with purpose in an increasingly interconnected world. Learn more at www.hamptonu.edu.
