Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

Our mission is to be a professional organization that provides student physical therapists of the University of Toledo with opportunities for professional growth and social well-being. Professional growth is enhanced through guest speaker presentations, medical mission trip availabilities, APTA and OPTA optional conferences or events and job fairs that educate students about career options and offer employment. 

This organization helps to promote appropriate faculty-student relationships and facilitate friendships between students through special events tailored to the common interests of the organization’s members and affiliates. As a professional organization we will engage in behaviors that allow for positive personal growth and maintain interactions with other professional student organizations of the University of Toledo, which includes participation in intramural sports. In addition, we strive to generously give our time, services and finances to the community and other philanthropies both locally and globally. Overall, our desire is to gain skills and knowledge through active participation within the organization and use what we have learned to better the physical therapy profession.

UToledo’s Student Physical Therapy Organization named winner of its 2019-20 Program of the Year Challenge.

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UToledo Physical Therapy Multicultural Leadership Council Statement Regarding the Death of George Floyd:

The UToledo Physical Therapy Multicultural Leadership Council (PT MCLC) recognizes the ongoing injustices, especially to the Black community, occurring in society today. The death of George Floyd reflects the continuous challenges with racism and systemic injustices in our country. As a growing organization, we pledge to help the community of the University of Toledo become “Comfortable with the Uncomfortable” conversations. This includes the current injustices of the Black community and the inclusivity of minority and LGBTQ communities. The PT MCLC was established to raise awareness of the profession of physical therapy to the underrepresented population at the university and local level; by promoting diversity and inclusivity. 

We stand with our peers, our communities, and our future patients who have been affected by racism and injustice. Moving forward we will uphold and encourage others to recognize Principle 1 from the American Physical Therapy Association Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapist: “1A. Physical therapists shall act in a respectful manner toward each person regardless of age, gender, race, nationality, religion, ethnicity, social or economic status, sexual orientation, health condition, or disability. 1B. Physical therapists shall recognize their personal biases and shall not discriminate against others in physical therapist practice, consultation, education, research, and administration.” 

Every day, we as students and future clinicians will work toward setting the pace to create an inclusive place. We intend to celebrate who we are as a people, acknowledging the richness of our differences so that we can build on our strengths and together strive for the common good. We are dedicated to understanding each other by appreciating and valuing the diversity within our community.  

An important aspect of being well-rounded professionals includes being active in volunteer work in our community and around the world. SPTO members are heavily involved in outreach activities throughout the year. In the community they regularly participate in the Community Care Clinic to help provide pro bono services under the supervision of a licensed Physical Therapist, Girls on the Run to assist an organization that encourages physically active lifestyles for young girls, and Food for Thought to package meals for those who are in need in the local Toledo area.

SPTO members also give of their time abroad through medical mission trips. PT students work within an interdisciplinary team alongside other UT students in the medical field. Click here to view the 2016 Nicaragua Mission Trip presentation and see how you can become involved! Information on 2019 Medical Missions and their applications will be available in the coming months.

It is important to create your personal and professional brand when becoming a physical therapist. With this in mind, SPTO is focused on living a healthy and active lifestyle. SPTO utilizes some of its funds to help sponsor intramural sports teams. In the past we have participated in football, basketball, soccer, softball, and volleyball. We have had teams comprised of only one class or a mixture of first and second year students. We use this as a time to compete and build relationships between classes. This is what makes the University of Toledo DPT program so amazing. The close connections made with classmates and professors really gives you a sense of family and home.