HARRISBURG, PA — From Thursday’s AR/VR and 3D printing demos to the closing reflections on Saturday, the 2025 MovePA Annual Conference brought together physical therapy professionals, educators, students, and innovators in the heart of Pennsylvania.
On Thursday, HU’s newly developing Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program and its faculty took the lead in the pre-conference event. A series of technology-focused demos and presentations introduced attendees to an array of cutting-edge tools: AI-driven patient simulations, immersive VR/AR anatomical exploration, and 3D printing for prosthetics and orthotics.
“It was such a privilege to kick off the MovePA pre-conference and to share how innovation and collaboration are transforming the future of physical therapy,” said Jacki Klaczak Kopack, PT, DPT, Ed.D.. “Drawing on years in PT education, I wanted to provide a non-traditional, high-energy introduction to the wonderful day of hands-on learning, and the session highlighted opportunities to lead with technology, think ethically, and grow together across disciplines. Working alongside the talented HU team demonstrated that we’re truly better when we work and create together.”
The pre-conference uniquely offered students and professionals alike the chance to see, touch and apply those technologies in real time.
This was more than just a demonstration of tools; it was an embodiment of HU’s emerging identity in the physical therapy and rehabilitation space. HU’s DPT program positions itself explicitly as a hybrid model that blends online distance learning, simulation, and hands-on in-person training for comprehensive experiential learning.
Amid that Thursday session, several incoming DPT students joined the event, got a sneak peek at the tech they’ll soon use, and met faculty and peers they’ll learn alongside. HU is cultivating a pipeline of future practitioners who are comfortable with both clinical fundamentals and next-generation innovation.
Friday marked the first full day of MovePA’s core educational program. PTs and PTAs from across Pennsylvania gathered to attend concurrent sessions and poster research presentations, and network across disciplines. In this setting, HU’s campus became a living laboratory of movement science and technology-enabled care.
Saturday offered one of the most memorable moments of the weekend. When a scheduled pediatrics presenter was unexpectedly taken out of commission, HU faculty member, Dr. Jennifer Price, PT, DPT, stepped in seamlessly to fill the two-hour slot:
“I wasn’t expecting to present this particular lecture at HU until our students were taking their Advanced Pediatrics elective, but I’m glad I had it ready to go for our MovePA attendees! Especially since COVID, it’s become more and more necessary for pediatric PTs to have a solid understanding of cardiopulmonary considerations for their patients, and I got great feedback from the session attendees on the lecture and their experience.”
The official keynote address, delivered by Associate Professor Academic and Program Lead Doctor of Physical Therapy, Tonya Miller, PT, DPT, Ph.D., encapsulated the ethos of the weekend:
“I was honored to deliver the keynote at MovePA and join colleagues who are shaping the future of physical therapy in Pennsylvania. This conference embodies the passion, innovation, and purpose that transform society through movement.”
Physical therapy is not simply a profession of rehabilitation; it is a discipline of innovation, collaboration, and societal wellness. Dr. Miller added:
“MovePA captures the best of our profession: community, collaboration, and curiosity. I was honored to present the keynote this year and to connect with our colleagues. It was exciting to host the conference in our Health Sciences Tower and to share our new Doctor of Physical Therapy space with PTs and PTAs from across Pennsylvania.”
For PTs and PTAs considering their next step, the event was both inspiration and practical education. It showed how the physical therapy practice is evolving toward immersive simulation, augmented (AR) and virtual reality (VR), rapid-prototyping devices and interprofessional care models, and how a next-generation DPT program must prepare students to lead in that environment.
HU remains committed to building momentum in PT education and practice innovation, and the success of this year’s MovePA Conference reinforces that momentum. For anyone looking to explore the evolving field of physical therapy – whether a practicing PT, a PTA looking to advance, or an aspiring student – HU offers a compelling path forward through its DPT program. Its hybrid format, ambitious curriculum, and emphasis on cutting-edge simulation and fabrication technologies set it apart.
Thank you to all attendees, presenters, staff, students, and faculty who made MovePA 2025 such a success. HU looks forward to many more years of collaboration and innovation in motion. For more information about HU’s DPT program, visit HarrisburgU.edu.
ABOUT HARRISBURG UNIVERSITY
Harrisburg University was recognized by US News & World Report as one of the nation’s most innovative colleges for 2025. HU is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and is a private, nonprofit university offering bachelor’s and graduate degree programs in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, nursing, and other health science fields. For additional information about HU’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 LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
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