Young Harris College in the mountains of North Georgia and PCOM Georgia in metro Atlanta recently signed an agreement benefiting undergraduate students interested
in becoming physical therapists.
“This agreement with the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine is a great moment here at Young Harris College,” said Drew Van Horn, PhD, president of Young Harris College. “Partnering with a reputable institution like PCOM Georgia allows us to offer educational opportunities to students in the physical therapy field. This partnership expands our ability to offer more options for students in this region interested in this field of medicine.”
“Young Harris College continually looks for opportunities to expand our students’ chances to advance their learning and development,” Dr. Van Horn added. “An agreement like this with PCOM Georgia helps us meet a healthcare need in an area we previously could not. It’s a win-win for the College and students.”
Ruth M. Maher, PT, PhD, DPT, professor and chair of the PCOM Georgia physical therapy
department, said, “With a significant national shortage of physical therapists, the affiliation agreement between PCOM Georgia’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program
and Young Harris College couldn't be timelier.”
She added, “Our institutions’ missions and values are very much aligned regarding education, service to society, and improving the quality of life for our communities. In addition, Young Harris College’s focus on encouraging intellectual curiosity, the pursuit of intellectual inquiry, and fostering open-minded and inquisitive learners is very much valued and a vision we share. These traits predict success in a Doctor of Physical Therapy program and physical therapy profession as they enrich and promote critical thinking and clinical reasoning.”
The educational institutions agreed to identify prospective physical therapists by their sophomore year of college so that PCOM Georgia could introduce them to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program. PCOM Georgia agreed to admit up to three Young Harris College students per year into the program. The agreement requires the students to have successfully completed their undergraduate prerequisites for the Doctor of Physical Therapy program and fulfilled the requirements for admission to PCOM Georgia.
Among the eligibility requirements for the PCOM Georgia Doctor of Physical Therapy program are:
PCOM Georgia’s physical therapy program develops practitioners who take a holistic
approach to patient care in a field that transforms lives. Physical therapists are
evidence-based movement experts who use critical thinking and clinical reasoning to
treat their patients across their lifespan. The doctoral program emphasizes a commitment
to lifelong learning and growth. Not only are physical therapists in high demand,
but research indicates that they achieve a high level of job satisfaction as they
work with individuals to improve quality of life.
Young Harris students who attend PCOM Georgia will continue to experience the benefits of a small campus, focusing on student success. The Doctor of Physical Therapy program offers small class sizes, state-of-the-art learning facilities, and several interprofessional educational opportunities, culminating in a diverse and vibrant learning environment that encourages critical thinking, creativity, and ethical leadership, empowering students to reach their full potential.
Young Harris College is a private baccalaureate and master’s degree-granting institution located in the beautiful mountains of North Georgia. Founded in 1886 and historically affiliated with The United Methodist Church, Young Harris College educates, inspires, and empowers students through an education that purposefully integrates the liberal arts and professional studies. The College has four academic divisions: Fine Arts; Humanities; Mathematics, Science, and Technology; and Professional Studies. Approximately 1,400 students are enrolled in its residential and Early College programs. The College is an active member of the NCAA Division II and remains a fierce competitor in Conference Carolinas. For more information, visit yhc.edu.
Established in 2005, PCOM Georgia is a branch campus of Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), a private, not-for-profit, accredited institution of higher education with a storied 125-year history dedicated to the healthcare professions. Located in Suwanee (Gwinnett County), PCOM Georgia offers doctoral degrees in osteopathic medicine, pharmacy and physical therapy. Graduate degrees are offered in biomedical sciences, medical laboratory science and physician assistant studies. The campus joins PCOM South Georgia in Moultrie in helping to meet the healthcare needs of the state. Emphasizing "a whole person" approach to care, PCOM Georgia focuses on educational excellence, interprofessional education and service to the community. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 678-225-7500. The campus is also home to the Georgia Osteopathic Care Center, an osteopathic manipulative medicine clinic, which is open to the public by appointment. For more information, visit pcomgeorgiahealth.org.
Jamesia Harrison, MS
Assistant Director, News and Media Relations
Email: jamesiaha@pcom.edu
Office: 678-225-7532 | Cell: 470-572-7558
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