New Physical Therapy Center Director
We welcomed Dr. Steven Coppolecchia, PT, DPT, OCS, as the new Director of the USF Health Physical Therapy Center and Assistant Professor in the School of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences early this year. With an extensive background in clinical leadership, mentorship, and program development, Dr. Coppolecchia brought a vision for excellence in patient care, education, and research. Read More.
USF Athletic Training Students and Faculty Shine at SEATA 2025 Conference
Each year several of our athletic training students and faculty travel for the Southeastern Athletic Trainers’ Association (SEATA) Conference. This annual event brings together athletic trainers, educators, and students from Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands to expand their knowledge, skills, and network.
Each year, the USF Athletic Training program support students by covering some costs for attending SEATA and other conferences. Dr. Tritsch, AT Program Director, said, “It’s wonderful to see our students learning alongside peers from other programs and professionals from across the Association. The networking and conversations that happen between sessions build bridges and community that can benefit them years after graduation.” Read More.
USF Health Physical Therapy Program moves into a new home, marking its next chapter
After years of growth and rising demand, the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences (SPTRS) entered a new chapter, moving into a newly renovated facility on the USF campus that doubled its space and strengthen its standing among the nation’s top programs.
Now housed in the MDA building, the school’s new home features expanded facilities designed to advance education and mirror real-world health care environments. The upgrades include two dedicated laboratories, a spacious classroom filled with natural light and a larger Chalsty Rehabilitation Experiential Learning Laboratory equipped with hospital beds, IV setups and telemetry monitors. Read More.
Twice as nice: Athletic Training Program repeats as Quiz Bowl national champions
For the second straight year, the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine Athletic Training Program has claimed the top prize at the National Athletic Training Association (NATA) Quiz Bowl, making history as the competition’s first ever back-to-back national champions.
This year, the USF team beat out more than 20 programs in the Southeast District to qualify for the national finals, where they faced off against 10 other district champions in a Jeopardy-style battle of knowledge covering complex topics from injury assessment and emergency care to evidence-based practice. Read More.
Physical therapy scholarship celebrates beloved Bucs trainer
Tom “Ox” Oxley, the Bucs’ head athletic trainer from 1977 to 1984 left a lifelong impression in the Tampa Bay community, particularly his profession of physical therapy and athletic training. His daughter, Elizabeth Oxley, MA ’01, established USF Health’s Thomas Oxley Memorial Scholarship in Physical Therapy. In just three weeks, the fund grew to endowment level — $25,000 — meaning it will benefit students for generations to come. Read More.
Collaborative Undergraduate Major in Health and Physical Rehabilitation Launches
The physical rehabilitation science major is designed for undergraduate students who are interested in pursuing careers or graduate programs in physical therapy, athletic training or occupational therapy.
“This major has a strong interdisciplinary foundation, with upper-level rehabilitation science course work to prepare students for the next step in their professional or academic journey,” Parrino said. Read More.
USF Health & St. Pete College PT/PTA Students Team Up for IPE Day to Enhance Patient Care & Teamwork
USF Health and St. Petersburg College students from Physical Therapy (PT) and Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) programs came together for an exciting Interprofessional Education (IPE) Day, focused on improving collaboration, communication, and patient outcomes.
Physical Therapy Residency Acceptances
The graduating class of 2025 had a remarkable surge in applications and acceptances to unique physical therapy residency programs across the nation. This trend reflects the ongoing growth in students pursuing these opportunities within our Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program, a trajectory that has been steadily ascending over the past three years. This year, we proudly announce that eleven of our students have earned coveted spots in various residency programs, both within the state of Florida and nationally. Read More.