DPT Newsroom

In an evening filled with joy, pride, and heartfelt reflection, family, friends, and loved ones celebrated the Duke Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Class of 2025 at the Hooding and Recognition Ceremony. Held on May 10, 2025, at the Washington Duke Inn, this milestone event marked a profound transition for 98 graduates, who began their journey as classmates and emerged as esteemed physical therapy professionals.

This weekend, Duke proudly celebrates the incredible achievements of the Class of 2025, honoring their dedication, perseverance, and excellence. Special congratulations to the Duke Doctor of Physical Therapy honorees, whose hard work and commitment have earned them well-deserved recognition. As we reflect on the national, university, school, and departmental awards presented to these outstanding individuals, we applaud their contributions to the Duke community and beyond.

On May 7, Duke DPT students took on the 239-step climb to the top of Duke Chapel, experiencing breathtaking views of West Campus, Durham, and beyond. The Chapel Tower Climb was a unique opportunity for students to bond, challenge themselves, and see their campus from a whole new perspective. This experience fostered camaraderie and appreciation for Duke's rich history and landscape.

Duke University's Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program has risen to the No. 4 spot in the 2025 U.S. News and World Report Rankings. This milestone underscores the program's unwavering commitment to innovation, academic excellence, and student success.

This past Saturday, Duke’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students had the chance to inspire and engage with the next generation of healthcare professionals at the Duke Health Professions Recruitment and Exposure Program (HPREP) Health Professions Fair. The event was part of HPREP's ongoing initiative to introduce high school students to various careers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), and health professions and encourage them to pursue these fields.

The Duke Department of Orthopaedic Surgery recently welcomed a new IT analyst, Matthew Wilkinson, who joined the team this month to support faculty and staff with their technology needs. Matthew, originally from Oxford, has always had an interest in the computer field, which led him to pursue a degree in computer science at UNC Charlotte with a concentration in robotics, AI, and gaming. “During college, I had an internship at Duke in cybersecurity,” Matthew shared. “That experience inspired me to return to Duke full-time.”

Marcus Roll, PT, DPT, is an assistant professor in the Duke Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program, with a clinical focus on adult neurologic rehabilitation. Q: When did you join the DPT division? A: I joined Duke DPT as a student in 2008, returned as a faculty resident in 2016, and became a core faculty member in 2018.

In a recent editorial, Steven Z. George, PT, PhD, FAPTA, professor, Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery and Population Health Sciences and the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, and Alan M. Jette, PT, PhD, FAPTA, professor, Boston University Sargent College of Health & Rehabilitation Science, explore the significant impact of recent disruptions in federal funding on rehabilitation research.

The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) recently hosted its 50th annual Combined Sections Meeting (CSM) in Houston from February 13 to 15. As the largest physical therapy conference in the U.S., CSM attracted thousands of practitioners, students, and professionals for a week of networking, learning, and professional development. The Duke Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program was well represented at this event, showcasing the depth and breadth of the Duke DPT community.