Duquesne University Rangos School of Health Sciences

A white coat is more than a uniform. It’s a symbol of dedication, compassion, and the responsibility to care for others.

We proudly celebrated our Physician Assistant Studies students as they received their white coats and marked an important milestone on their path to becoming healthcare professionals.

Congratulations to our future PAs! We are excited to see all that you will accomplish as you continue your journey toward making a difference in the lives of your patients and communities.

You asked for it...more Crosby content!

After a challenging week of exams, Crosby stepped in to host his highly anticipated review session, "Kinesiology with Crosby." Between sharing cuddles, good vibes, and a little extra motivation, he helped our PT students power through exam week.

Thank you, Professor Crosby, for always being there to support our hardworking students. We think you've earned an A+!

Congratulations to our rowing team members, Cherise, Serena, Caitlin, and Margaret on earning 2026 CRCA Scholar-Athlete honors!

Balancing academic excellence and collegiate competition takes dedication, discipline, and resilience, especially in the rigorous programs within the School of Health Sciences. We are proud to celebrate these outstanding student-athletes and all of this year's CRCA Scholar-Athlete Award recipients.

Keep making us proud, Dukes! 💙❤️

Total of 11 Dukes Earn 2026 CRCA Scholar-Athlete Award - Duquesne University Athletics Pittsburgh, Pa. – A total of 11 student-athletes from the Duquesne University rowing team were honored for their work in the classroom by garnering the 2026 Scholar-Athlete Award from the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA). Earning the honor for the Dukes are senior Cherise Dicke, junior...

A milestone worth celebrating!

Today, our Doctor of Physical Therapy students participated in their White Coat Ceremony, beginning the next stage of their professional education and their commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care.

Congratulations to each of our future physical therapists on this significant achievement. We are proud of all you have accomplished and excited to watch you continue your journey!

Summer might be right around the corner, but learning never slows down here in the Rangos School of Health Sciences! ☀️

Today, our 1st Year Professional-Phase Physician Assistant students were hard at work in the Phlebotomy Lab, building hands-on skills and gaining real-world experience that will prepare them for success in healthcare. We’re proud to see their dedication and passion in action!

Our Physical Therapy students have been immersed in the Mediterranean culture by participating in the HEAL Initiative (Health, Education, Awareness and Longevity) in Pioppi, Italy. Lab classes with Dr. Mattia Bisconti (Italy) and Dr. Edo Zylstra (USA), Liran Lifsh*tz (Israel), Dr. Martin Ong’Wen Otieno (Kenya), a visit to the Museum of the Mediterranean Diet with Prof. Fuhrmann-Schembri. An interdisciplinary Symposium with the Nursing students featuring the Mayor of Pollica, Dr. Stefano Pisani, presentations funded by the Eugene P. Beard Presidential Prize for Innovation and Distinction HEAL Duquesne University’s Professor Dr. Anita Showalter, DO, MA, FACOOG, “Developing a Whole Person Approach to Patient Care”Tyler Hall, Senior Executive Chef, Duquesne University and Gayle Musulin, General Manager, Parkhurst Dining “Sharing the Table: Community, Cuisine, and Mediterranean Tradition”, Italian guest panelists Dr. Mattia Bisconti, “Italian Healthcare System 101”. Meditation Session on the beach followed by RistoLab Mediterranean Diet Experience and Lunch. A visit to the Museum and Archeological site of Paestum, a Group Lunch at La Dispensa, and a wine tasting at the San Salvatore Winery. The students fished with their Final Presentations for the PT in Ancient Rome course. A huge thank you to the staff Duquesne in Romefor their incredible talent, vision, creativity and excellence. Our Physical Therapy students and faculty are forever grateful!

I nostri studenti di Fisioterapia si sono immersi nella cultura mediterranea partecipando alla HEAL Initiative (Health, Education, Awareness and Longevity) a Pioppi, in Italia. Il programma ha incluso lezioni pratiche con il Dott. Mattia Bisconti (Italia), il Dott. Edo Zylstra (USA), Liran Lifsh*tz (Israele) e il Dott. Martin Ong’Wen Otieno (Kenya), oltre a una visita al Museo della Dieta Mediterranea con la Prof.ssa Fuhrmann-Schembri. Si è tenuto inoltre un Simposio interdisciplinare con gli studenti di Infermieristica, alla presenza del Sindaco di Pollica, Dott. Stefano Pisani, e con presentazioni finanziate dal "Eugene P. Beard Presidential Prize for Innovation and Distinction": la Prof.ssa Anita Showalter (DO, MA, FACOOG) della Duquesne University ha presentato "Sviluppare un approccio olistico alla cura del paziente"; Tyler Hall, Executive Chef della Duquesne University, e Gayle Musulin, General Manager di Parkhurst Dining, hanno tenuto l'intervento "Condividere la tavola: comunità, cucina e tradizione mediterranea"; tra i relatori ospiti italiani, il Dott. Mattia Bisconti ha presentato "Il sistema sanitario italiano: le basi". Il programma è proseguito con una sessione di meditazione in spiaggia, seguita dall'esperienza "RistoLab Dieta Mediterranea" e dal pranzo. Non sono mancate una visita al Museo e al sito archeologico di Paestum, un pranzo di gruppo presso "La Dispensa" e una degustazione di vini presso la Cantina San Salvatore. Gli studenti hanno concluso il soggiorno presentando i loro progetti finali per il corso "Fisioterapia nell'Antica Roma". Un immenso ringraziamento allo staff per il suo incredibile talento, la visione, la creatività e l'eccellenza. I nostri studenti e docenti di Fisioterapia saranno per sempre grati!

The 4th Annual Physical Therapy World Summit Duquesne in Romewas extraordinary. Welcome address by Duquesne University Director of European Programs, Mr. Michael Wright. Students from Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore attended and joined our students. Speakers included: Dr.Matteo Pirinu, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Meyer IRCCS, Florence presented on Colosseum of Pediatric Physiotherapy: The Story of Caterina Affected by Obstetrical Brachial Plexus Palsy, Dr. Giorgia Coratti Assistant Professor | National Scientific Qualification as Associate Professor, Università
Cattolica del Sacro Cuore presenting on Paediatric Neuromuscular Diseases: Times are Changing, Dr.Wilfrida Otieno, Kenya, Pelvic Health and The Woman”s Experience in Low Income Countries (Obstetric Fistula), Dr. Mattia Bisconti ,Università di Roma “LaSapienza”, Rome, Transforming Tomorrow’s Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy: Innovation through Psychologically Informed Care, Dr. Jordana Lockwich,Duquesne University, USA, ‘Parkin Beats’ - Drumming Toward Better Movement and Exercise Intensity in Parkinson’s Disease , Dr. Martin Ong’Wen Otieno Clinical Director, Afyafrica Orthopedic Services (Kenya), A Good African Story: Navigating Challenges of Clinical Reasoning & Leadership in Low Resourced Healthcare Systems; Mr.Otis Fitzgerald,Physical Therapist ,Pittsburgh Pirates, USA, From the Ground Up: The Biomechanics of the Overhead Athlete, Dr.Christian Lorenzini ,Elite Cura & Allenamenyo, Siena, The Paralympic Athlete: Heart Beyond the Obstacle
Focus on Shoulder and Lower Back, Dr. Edo Zylstra Founder & Clinician | KinetaCare Physiotherapy, USA, The Radiculopathic Model of Orthopedics (RMO): Dry Needling in a Reproducible Framework,Dr.AmirTakla,AustralianPhysiotherapy,Australia, FAIS: Impingement in Elite Sport - Assessment, Treatment and When to Refer. World Tennis Tour Experience, Mr. Liran Lifsh*tz ,Physio & More, Israel, Rethinking ACL Injuries: Clinical Assessment, Hands-On Treatment, Rehabilitation, and the Cross-Bracing Protocol.

Il 4° Summit Mondiale Annuale di Fisioterapia presso la Duquesne University è stato straordinario. Il discorso di benvenuto è stato tenuto dal Direttore dei Programmi Europei della Duquesne University, il Sig. Michael Wright. Hanno partecipato studenti dell'Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, unendosi ai nostri studenti. Tra i relatori figuravano: il Dott. Matteo Pirinu (Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Meyer IRCCS, Firenze), che ha presentato "Il Colosseo della Fisioterapia Pediatrica: La storia di Caterina affetta da paralisi ostetrica del plesso brachiale"; la Dott.ssa Giorgia Coratti (Ricercatrice | Abilitazione Scientifica Nazionale a Professore Associato, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore), che ha relazionato su "Malattie neuromuscolari pediatriche: i tempi stanno cambiando"; la Dott.ssa Wilfrida Otieno (Kenya), con l'intervento "Salute pelvica e l'esperienza della donna nei paesi a basso reddito (Fistola ostetrica)"; il Dott. Mattia Bisconti (Università di Roma "La Sapienza"), con "Trasformare la fisioterapia muscoloscheletrica del futuro: innovazione attraverso un approccio psicologicamente informato"; la Dott.ssa Jordana Lockwich (Duquesne University, USA), con "Parkin Beats: suonare i tamburi per migliorare il movimento e l'intensità dell'esercizio nella malattia di Parkinson"; il Dott. Martin Ong’Wen Otieno (Direttore Clinico, Afyafrica Orthopedic Services, Kenya), con "Una buona storia africana: affrontare le sfide del ragionamento clinico e della leadership nei sistemi sanitari a risorse limitate"; il Sig. Otis Fitzgerald (Fisioterapista, Pittsburgh Pirates, USA), con "Dalle fondamenta: la biomeccanica dell'atleta overhead"; il Dott. Christian Lorenzini (Elite Cura & Allenamento, Siena), con "L'atleta paralimpico: il cuore oltre l'ostacolo – Focus su spalla e rachide lombare"; il Dott. Edo Zylstra (Fondatore e Clinico | KinetaCare Physiotherapy, USA), con "Il Modello Radicolopatico in Ortopedia (RMO): il Dry Needling in un framework riproducibile"; il Dott. Amir Takla (Australian Physiotherapy, Australia), con "FAIS: l'impingement nello sport d'élite – Valutazione, trattamento e indicazioni per l'invio specialistico. L'esperienza nel World Tennis Tour"; e il Sig. Liran Lifsh*tz (Physio & More, Israele), con "Ripensare le lesioni del LCA: valutazione clinica, trattamento manuale, riabilitazione e il protocollo Cross-Bracing".

We can’t wait to celebrate our incredible graduates as they take the stage this Friday! It’s a moment years in the making, and we’re so proud of everything they’ve accomplished.

Can’t join us in person? No problem! Tune in live and be part of the celebration from wherever you are! Livestream: https://bit.ly/4upvy3T

When most students have to run down Fifth Ave., it’s because they’re late to class or an appointment downtown.

This Sunday, third year Duquesne University Rangos School of Health Sciences Occupational Therapy student Molly T**a of Rochester, NY will be doing that same thing, only in the finishing stretch of the UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half Marathon, her first attempt at the distance.

Molly didn’t grow up a runner—far from it. She was a lifelong dancer, starting with Irish dance and later moving into ballet, jazz and contemporary. Running was something she “hated” for years. But a Mother’s Day request from her mom Jen—“the only thing I want is to go on a family run”—unexpectedly sparked her interest.

From there, running became a shared activity with her dad Dave, who has completed a full Ironman and run many races. Watching him race was transformative: “I had so much fun cheering… it was one of the best days of my life, probably because I didn’t have to do it,” she said smiling. Her love for her parents definitely shines through.

Now her dad is her coach and has given Molly a full training plan in preparation for this bigger goal. She runs three to four days a week, despite the many demands on her time with being a student in the highly-ranked OT program.

As her father is dealing with some lingering issues with his back, this may be her last chance to run a race with him. She is savoring this opportunity. Part of this celebration will also mark Jen’s 15th anniversary of being in remission from breast cancer.

Running has become a form of stress relief and helped Molly to focus and remember what’s important in life. It’s also been a big help in her getting to know the Pittsburgh area and experience many of its unique neighborhoods and culture, including the Eliza Furnace Trail, North Park and the North Shore.

“Even when I started training for this, like looking at my plan and thinking, you're going run 12 miles? Like no, you're not. If you really like dedicate yourself to it, you can do it. And that can like translate I guess to anything in life. So, it's really made me more proud of every week where I'm saying OK, one more mile.”

Molly’s training in the OT program also reminds her to appreciate her physical ability. “Some of these people will never walk again, she said. I do it because who knows if you could ever do it again.”