Venu Akuthota, MD, Professor and Chair, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, welcomed students in saying, “It’s our job to define our professions. You have the luckiness of an incredible faculty that will give you knowledge and ideas of what it is to be a professional and a part of this profession.” 

Current students encouraged the incoming class to embrace the rigor of the program and reminded them that, as they took their professional oath, they were committing to a lifestyle of serving others.

Shanta Zimmer, MD, Senior Associate Dean for Education, Associate Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, welcomed the group to the School of Medicine. “I pledge my support to you as you go down this path,” noted Zimmer, “I feel honored to stand with you and your faculty in patient care and in education.”

The Class of 2020 is full of athletes, researchers, creative thinkers and individuals committed to service. Among the diverse group of 67 students are a professional potter, the steeplechase record holder at Cal Poly, first-generation college students, a U.S. Navy Veteran, a published author in cognitive aging, an ultra-marathoner and a trilinguist. 

Director and Associate Dean Margaret Schenkman, PT, PhD, FAPTA noted that the Physical Therapy Program works very hard to have an environment of inclusion, diversity and recognition of all people, cultures, backgrounds and professions with whom physical therapists work. 

See photos HERE