Preparing the Next Generation of Physical Therapists with a Unique Partnership and Personal Support.

Pictured above: Lindsey Gearhart (L), Marymount University Student, and Caity Tompkins (R), MedStar Health,
cultivating the future of physical therapy professionals.

Whether heading off to kindergarten or beginning graduate school, it is common for students to feel nervous about the first day of school.

Lindsey Gearhart, a student pursuing a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia, was surprised—and relieved—when she heard from Caity Tompkins, a MedStar Health physical therapist and education outreach coordinator, about a new academic collaboration between the university and MedStar Health. The partnership aims to increase the number of highly trained physical therapists locally during a growing national shortage.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts approximately 13,900 job openings for physical therapists each year, on average, throughout the next decade. To meet this demand as the U.S. population ages, students seeking careers in physical therapy are essential.

As a marquee incentive of the Marymount University partnership program, MedStar Health awards five $20,000 scholarships each year.

“Caity invited me and the other scholarship recipients to lunch before orientation,” Gearhart says. They were joined by Elizabeth Rothermel, regional director, MedStar Health Physical Therapy.

“They went out of their way to foster a connection at a time when I was nervous going into Physical Therapy school and not knowing how that might look,” Gearhart says. “They always reach out and ask us what we need. If there's ever a feeling that I am lost, I will have someone to talk to and help me work through that.”

Now, in just its first academic year, the partnership will benefit 50 students—the most ever enrolled in Marymount’s Doctor of Physical Therapy Program. 

The program provides a unique and invaluable opportunity for students pursuing a career in physical therapy, providing them with personalized mentorship, hands-on experience and ongoing interaction with MedStar Health professionals inside and outside the classroom.

Guidance from talented healthcare practitioners and diverse clinical experiences shape students into well-rounded professionals, positioning them as strong candidates for employment as they begin their careers.

“Every patient is different, but the more practice you get, the more familiar you will be with personal interactions. Fostering a bond with your patient can make a big difference in their care,” Gearhart says. “It’s the difference between a good and great physical therapist, and that’s what this program aims to do.”

The program benefits extend beyond the three years students spend earning their degrees. By graduation, they develop technical skills through training alongside leading clinicians while also gaining the confidence and interpersonal abilities necessary to excel in their field.

“With two strong, important organizations working together, we help drive the profession forward in this region,” Caity says. “By increasing the number of physical therapists in the Baltimore and Washington, D.C., region, our patients won't need to wait as long for care. They can access the excellent care we provide at a time and in a location that works best for them. We are excited to do that for our community.”