A message from PNWUs SOPT Founding Program Director:

There is a tremendous need for physical therapists here in the Northwest, especially in rural and medically underserved communities. By 2028, it is predicted there will be a 26% increase in demand for physical therapists (PTs) for the Northwest (NW) region according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The current PT education programs in the NW represent only 3.5% of all DPT programs nationally. Given the number of graduates for each of those programs, there is still a 40% workforce void in the NW, given the steady increase in demand of PTs.

Not only do we need more physical therapists in rural and medically underserved communities, we need a more diverse workforce. Promoting diversity in the health professions will improve the health of the nation by building a health care workforce that draws on the strengths of all segments of our diverse society. The School of Physical Therapy (SOPT), is committed to increasing diversity in our students entering the DPT program. This will improve the quality of education, which in turn improves our graduates ability to treat patients from a wide range of cultural and social backgrounds.

As much as we need physical therapists, we cannot ignore the harsh reality that the cost of higher education has produced a national crisis of student debt topping $1.6 trillion in 2019 and rising (Impact of Student Debt Report, APTA 2020). Although PNWUs tuition is within the median of other PT programs in the NW, we cannot let that be a barrier to recruiting diverse, underrepresented students from rural and medically underserved communities at PNWU. I ask that you consider giving to the SOPT Student Scholarship Fund to help our students reach financial stability. Don't let tuition costs be a barrier to anyone that wants to attend PNWU and fulfill their dream of becoming a physical therapist.

Read More, an article from the Yakima Herald.

Dr. Peggy Trueblood, Founding Program Director, School of Physical Therapy