On Friday, May 5th, 2023 we celebrated our 2023 graduates from our Doctor of Physical Therapy, Professional Athletic Training, and Post-Professional Advanced Athletic Training programs, and their accomplishments they achieved while here at USF Health. We welcomed 49 DPT graduates, 22 Professional Athletic Training, and 8 Advanced AT students to our alumni.
The graduation celebration is an annual school event in which faculty and staff are able to personally celebrate the programs along with a small group of family and friends. This year was unique in that it was the first combined event including our DPT and AT programs all at once. Each graduate was individually recognized by their faculty and presented with a medallion specific to their profession and to the Morsani College of Medicine. During the ceremony we also awarded our various program awards and athletic training presented their program scholarships.
Doctor of Physical Therapy Awards:
2023 Laura Lee “Dolly” Swisher Ethical and Professional Leadership Award – Erin Esposito (above left)
This award is named after Dr. Dolly Swisher, a founding faculty member, our third School Director, and now Professor Emerita. This award recognizes a graduate who illustrates strong professional and ethical behavior, displays effective confidence, engenders trust with patients and colleagues, high academic achievement, actively participated throughout the program, and demonstrates clinical acumen.
2023 Catherine Page Clinical Excellence Award – Bryce Braswell (above right)
This award is named after Catherine Page who was the first Director of Clinical Education. This award recognizes a graduate who has demonstrated exceptional clinical skills and is awarded based on feedback from clinical instructors and the Director of Clinical Education.
2023 Outstanding Systematic Research Project – “The effectiveness of therapeutic exercise for contralateral transfer in the lower extremity: A scoping review” – Brooke Fischer, Steve Fowler, Alexander Turnock, Kylie Unser and Faculty Mentor Patricia Teran Wodzinski (below left)
ACAPT National Honor Society – Erin Esposito (Above right)
Athletic Training Awards
Outstanding Advanced Athletic Training Student Award – Matthew Baranowicz
Athletic Training Program Service Award – Nate Wood
Student Service Award – Zoe Gholson (above left)
This award goes to a student that has gone above and beyond to demonstrate service to both the program and profession of athletic training. This basically translates to never saying “no” when opportunities are presented!
Athletic Training Student Leadership Award – Sarah Kult (above right)
This award is given to an AT student who is voted by their peers as an outstanding student-leader.
Athletic Training Director’s Award – Kayla Blair (above left)
The faculty select this award. The award is based on academic performance, service to the program and/or the profession, leadership, professionalism and commitment to excellence. Identifying this winner is always very hard – it’s hard to excel in ALL of those areas!
Jhanae Ingraham Memorial Perseverance Award – Jamila Dickerson (above right)
Last year we created an award to honor the lasting impact a member of the Class of 2021 had on the USF Athletic Training Program. Jhanae Ingraham was a shining beacon of positive change who’s smile would literally change the mood of a room. The program has not been the same since she passed away in a car accident in June 2020, and we will forever be changed for the better by having her as a member of the Bulls family. We wanted the accolade to highlight her passion and commitment to a better world, and to recognize a student that exemplifies these qualities through their interactions with colleagues, patients, and the world around them. Someone who may face challenges, but continues to show up every day with a determined attitude to make each experience beneficial and to do it with a smile.
USF Health Student Leader of the Year – Sarah Kult (AT) and Andrea Galinis (DPT) – (above left)
This award recognizes a graduating students from each academic program for their outstanding leadership skills. Examples of student leadership include
USF Health Spirit Award – Ryo Akita (AT) and Johann Geheb (DPT) – (above right)
The USF Health Spirit Award recognizes a graduating student from each academic program that best exemplifies the USF Health values we embrace as a community in support of our mission to “Make Life Better” in the communities we serve: interprofessionalism, compassion and passion, accountability, respect and inclusion, courage and resiliency, optimism, integrity and excellence.
USF Health Service Award – Kayla Blair (AT) and Kayla Foran (DPT) – (below)
Athletic Training Scholarships
Jhanae Sunflower Scholarship – Katelynn Parks (above)
The Jhanae Sunflower Scholarship was established in 2022 thanks to support of Jhanae’s family and the Jhanae Sunflower Foundation. The scholarship fund continues to be supported by faculty, staff, and alumni; and it our hope to soon grow the scholarship to endowed status to honor Jhanae’s legacy in perpetuity. The scholarship is awarded to a rising 2nd year athletic training student that displays academic integrity, exemplary leadership, and a commitment to giving back to the community.
“Doc” Leffers Scholarship – Yusuke Okada and Lauren Richardson (above left)
Awarded to a rising 2nd year enrolled in the athletic training program who exemplifies the characteristics and greatest potential to succeed in the profession. This scholarship is named for the former department chair of the Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine and honorary NATA member Doc Leffers.
Kennedy Family Scholarship – Rebekah Minter, Lauren Richardson, Zoe Gholson, Sarah Kult (above right)
Awarded to an athletic training student who has demonstrated leadership and service initiatives and accomplishments related to and that has benefitted the athletic training program at the University of South Florida and positively promoted the profession of athletic training.
Class Gifts
Each graduating class of our programs leaves a gift with the program to leave their mark here at USF. This year the DPT Class of 2023 donated succulent planters they created and watering cans to add some greenery to the student courtyard. The Athletic Training Class of 2023 donated a blanket and class composite to be hung in their classroom. The evening ended with a short reception before students and guest went off to celebrate.