Trine University cut the ribbon on its new Health Sciences Education Center in Fort Wayne today. It also welcomed the inaugural class of its first doctoral program.
32 students embarked on the three-year Doctor of Physical Therapy program. The program is in partnership with Parkview Health, Lutheran, the Fort Wayne VA and others.
With Trine’s new education center located aside the Parkview Hospital Randallia campus, students have direct access to clinical experience.
Dr. Max Baumgartner is Dean of the School of Health Sciences, and director of the new program. He says there’s a huge need for more physical therapists nationally and in Northeast Indiana.
“Our baby boomers are coming into an age where they need not only more maintenance care but also rehabilitative care," says Baumgartner. "At the same time we’ve got a lot of physical therapists who are baby boomers so they’re approaching the age of retirement. So with a limited number of PT schools, an increase in retirement of physical therapists, and an increased demand, there’s going to be a real need for qualified caregivers.”
Baumgartner says the market for physical therapists is expected to grow 30 percent in the next 8 years.
Trine aims to debut a physician assistant program in the next few years.