Representing the University of Puget Sound on a global stage, 11 Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students and six faculty members recently traveled to Anaheim, California, in February, for the American Physical Therapy Association’s (APTA) Combined Sections Meeting (CSM).
One of the highlights of the gathering was the recognition a Puget Sound community health initiative received, earning it the APTA Academy of Leadership and Innovation Social Responsibility Award. The project, part of the research team led by Puget Sound Clinical Professor Danny McMillian, was presented by Kristin Hultgren ’26, Layla Santos ’26, Abi Koehn ’27, and Danny Jose ’27, who received the honor for their work with Tacoma’s Willie Stewart Academy. The project paired Logger DPT students with local high schoolers for weekly 90-minute wellness sessions at a YMCA. These sessions combined physical activity with interactive discussions focused on the pillars of lifestyle medicine, such as restorative sleep, nutrition, and stress management.
The pilot program’s results were positive, with every high school participant reporting maximum satisfaction and increased confidence in pursuing healthy behaviors independently. The project has already gained national attention, as faculty from other universities are now consulting with McMillian to replicate the model in their own communities.
“The ability to connect knowledge learned during the didactic portion of our program with direct community member interactions allowed for us to see the role that physical therapists can play in overall population health,” Hultgren said.
CSM is the world’s premier physical therapy conference, attracting more than 15,000 attendees this year. The Puget Sound DPT students made a remarkable showing, as every research proposal submitted by students and faculty was accepted for presentation. An impressive achievement, as many submissions are rejected during the conference's strict peer-review process.
The trip was made possible through funding from the university. All students received Student Conference Travel Awards from the University Enrichment Committee, which supports full-time students who present independent work at conferences. Professors Holly Roberts, Karin Steere, and Eliza Szymanek also received assistance from the Faculty Support Committee's Faculty Conference Participation Travel Awards for additional work they presented.
“It is the culmination of two and a half years of work,” said Holly Roberts, associate professor and director of physical therapy. “Students take their research from start to finish — from the research question to data analysis and dissemination. It takes a lot of work to present at this level.”
The research presented by the Loggers covered the full human lifespan, from toddlers to centenarians. Katherine Podoll ’26 shared findings on shock-absorbing ballet shoes designed to reduce injury rates in dancers. Other presentations focused on pediatric mobility — using harness systems to help children with Down syndrome interact with their families — and geriatric care, using backward walk tests to better predict and prevent falls in older adults.
“If we do meaningful work but the appropriate people don’t hear about it, the work has no value,” Podoll said.
The success at CSM reflects the depth of the university’s DPT program, which blends foundational science with 30 weeks of full-time clinical internships. A hallmark of the three-year curriculum is the on-site, free community clinic, where second- and third-year students manage patient care under expert supervision. This hands-on training has led to high licensing exam pass rates and a reputation for excellence in the field. For Roberts, the conference represents the vital transition from student to professional.
“It is exciting and energizing for them to interact with so many individuals who are excited about their profession,” she said. “It allows them to start to see themselves giving back.”
