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HARRISBURG, PA – Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (HU) is pleased to welcome LaVonne Couch, PT, DPT, Ed.D., Associate Professor and Doctor of Physical Therapy. She’s the latest team member to join the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program currently in development* at HU. LaVonne brings some incredible experiences and an awesome skillset to HU. We can’t wait to see the positive impact she makes on our students and the physical therapy community in Central Pennsylvania!

Can you tell us about your educational background?

“I received my Doctor of Education in Educational Innovation and Leadership from Wilmington University (2006) and my Post-Professional Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the College of St. Scholastica (2016). Before receiving a Master of Science degree in Management from NJIT, I obtained my entry-level clinical Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy degree from Stockton University. I received it after first graduating summa cum laude with an Associate of Science degree in physics. I took my love of science, anatomy, movement, and exercise and discovered the field of physical therapy. And I never looked back!”

What courses do you teach at HU?

“As an Associate Professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at HU, I will be instructing in the Physical Therapy Exam and Rehab Principles course, the Evidence-Informed PT Practice course series, Physical Therapy for the Aging Adult, and the Integrated and Full-Time Clinical Experience course series.”

Where did you teach and work before arriving at HU?

“Prior to arriving at HU, I was the Director of Clinical Education for Temple University’s DPT program for four years, and six years prior to that the founding Program Director and Instructor for the Physical Therapist Assistant program at Rowan College of South Jersey. Prior to teaching in academia, I treated patients in the home health setting, in acute care hospitals, and in outpatient clinics. I also worked within an insurance company from the management perspective. This allowed me to help clinicians understand how to better document for reimbursement and also help adjudicators better understand the perspective of documentation from treating clinicians.”

What are your main areas of interest for conducting research?

“My main areas of interest for conducting research revolve around the scholarship of teaching and learning as well as mentorship and coaching at all levels. I have always been interested in coaching up younger clinicians and also less-experienced instructors – both clinical and academic.”

Have you received any special awards, certifications, or other professional recognition?

“I have been recognized by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy with an Outstanding Service Award (2016) and with induction into the Academy of Advanced Item Writers (2014).”

What do you think makes HU stand out as a university for our students and faculty?

“Harrisburg University offers affordable bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree opportunities to students who are interested in unique and advanced science-based majors that translate into real-world, employable opportunities. Students are involved in service learning, which prepares them for contemporary practice in their field – and HU has buy-in from corporate partners who provide these opportunities and are potential employers. From a faculty perspective, HU supports faculty initiatives for research. You don’t always find that level of dedication at every institution.”

Is there anything else you would like to add?

“HU will be leveraging new technologies and integrating best instructional practices to offer a unique experience for students who desire to enter the physical therapy profession. I look forward to being a part of this new experience!”

Please join us in giving Dr. LaVonne Couch a warm welcome! Our students are lucky to have you – and we can’t wait to see what you do with your time here at HU!

ABOUT HARRISBURG UNIVERSITY

Harrisburg University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and is a private, nonprofit university offering bachelor’s and graduate degree programs in the fields of science, technology, and mathematics. For additional information about the University’s affordable, demand-driven undergraduate and graduate programs, please call 717.901.5146 or email Connect@HarrisburgU.edu. Stay updated by following Harrisburg University on XLinkedInInstagram, and Facebook.

* Graduation from a physical therapist education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone; 703-706-3245; accreditation@apta.org is necessary for eligibility to sit for the licensure examination, which is required in all states. Candidacy is considered to be an accredited status, as such the credits and degree earned from a program with Candidacy status are considered, by CAPTE, to be from an accredited program. Therefore, students in the charter (first) class should be eligible to take the licensure exam even if CAPTE withholds accreditation at the end of the candidacy period. That said, it is up to each state licensing agency, not CAPTE, to determine who is eligible for licensure. Information on licensing requirements should be directed to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT; www.fsbpt.org) or specific state boards (a list of state boards and contact information is available on FSBPT’s website. Harrisburg University is seeking accreditation of a new physical therapist education program from CAPTE. The program is planning to submit an Application for Candidacy, which is the formal application required in the pre-accreditation stage, on November 1, 2024. Submission of this document does not assure that the program will be granted Candidate for Accreditation status. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status is required prior to implementation of the professional phase of the program; therefore, no students may be enrolled in professional courses until Candidate for Accreditation status has been achieved. Further, though achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status signifies satisfactory progress toward accreditation, it does not assure that the program will be granted accreditation.