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.