The University of Colorado Physical Therapy Program celebrated the graduation of the Doctor of Physical Therapy Class of 2024. Festivities were held over a three-day period, including the CU Physical Therapy Alumni Association Graduation Party on Thursday, December 12, 2024, the Convocation Ceremony on Friday, December 13, 2024, and Commencement on Saturday, December 14, 2024. 73 graduating students were recognized for this monumental milestone in their education.

The weekend was kicked off with the CU Physical Therapy Alumni Association Graduation Party, which was hosted at Comrade Brewing Company in Denver the evening of Thursday, December 12th. There were over 150 attendees including graduates and their families, members of the PT Alumni Association Board of Directors, as well as members of the CU PT faculty.

The afternoon of Friday, December 13th, the annual Convocation Ceremony was held in Education 2 South on the CU Anschutz Medical Campus, and was marshalled by Alyssa Arms, PT, DPT, OCS. Graduates and their guests heard introductory remarks from CU PT Program Director and Associate Dean for Physical Therapy Education Michael Harris-Love, PT, MPT, DSc, FGSA, FAPTA; Roderick Nairn, PhD, Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs; John Sampson, MD, PhD, MHSc, MBA, Dean of the University of Colorado School of Medicine; and Venu Akuthota, MD, Professor and Chair of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Class President Angela Delos Santos made comments to her class, and faculty members Amy McDevitt, PT, DPT, PhD, OCS, FAAOMPT and David James, PT, DPT, OCS, SCS, were selected to deliver graduation addresses to the class.

Following their speeches was the presentation of awards. Deana Gordon, PT, DPT ‘20, Vice-President of the CU Physical Therapy Alumni Association and Joanna Roybal, PT, DPT ’10, President of the CU Physical Therapy Alumni Association, presented the Rising Star Award to David Bruton, Jr., PT, DPT ’21, and the Alumni Achievement Award to Annie Sirotniak, PT, MSPT ’93, DPT ‘07.

Jackie Berning, PhD, RD, CSSD, was presented the Cerasoli Award for Outstanding Contributions to Physical Therapy Education by Dr. Michael Harris-Love. Lisha Bustos, MA, was presented with the Champion of Physical Therapy Award by Dr. Dan Malone. The CU PT Excellence in Teaching Award, presented by Dr. Dana Judd to Dr. Amy McDevitt.

In addition, Drs. Catherine Bilyeu, Meghan Hernandez, David James, and Dana Judd recognized our graduating PT residents Ericka Salhus, PT, DPT; Leah Calderon, PT, DPT; Joshua McDowell, PT, DPT, and Jenna Cabrera, PT, DPT. Dr. Bilyeu also presented the Outstanding Clinical Instructor Award to Charlotte Kochman, PT.

Various faculty members then presented the student awards. The below students were recognized:

• Mary Gosnell Award: Andrew Romero
• Richard D. Krugman Spirit of Service Award: Ariele Faria Dos Santos
• Outstanding Capstone Award: Angela Delos Santos, Jessika Linnemeyer, and Kyle Suess
• National Physical Therapy Honor Society: Brooke Beyrooty, Maizie Deihl, Angela Delos Santos, Julianne Iarusso, Anna Lauria, Jessika Linnemeyer, Ella O’Rourke, Kyle Suess, and Dylan Wagner.
• Physical Therapy Program Altruism in Action Award: Ariele Faria Dos Santos
• Herbert J. Levy Humanitarian Award: Maizie Deihl
• Outstanding Doctor of Physical Therapy Award: Angela Delos Santos

Following the presentation of student awards, Drs. Judd and Harris-Love delivered the closing remarks, and there was a reception held in the lobby outside the auditorium.

On Saturday, December 14^th, the official CU Anschutz Commencement Ceremony was held at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. CU Physical Therapy joined the CU College of Nursing, CU Anschutz Graduate School, Colorado School of Public Health, and Anesthesiology Assistant Program in conferring degrees to our graduates. We are so proud of our 2024 graduates and can't wait to hear about all they will accomplish as doctors of physical therapy as they join our network of over 2,000 CU PT Alumni!