[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 125 (Monday, September 30, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1701]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN-FLINT ALUMNI ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 26, 2002

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an important event 
in the history of the University of Michigan-Flint. On October 25th, 
faculty, staff, alumni, and students of the University's Physical 
Therapy Department will celebrate the 50th anniversary of its founding, 
which originated on the University of Michigan Ann Arbor campus, and 
the 20th anniversary of its relocation to the Flint campus.
  Professional education in physical therapy at the University of 
Michigan commenced in 1952 within the Department of Physical Medicine 
and Rehabilitation, in the Medical School on the Ann Arbor campus. It 
was the first professional preparation program in physical therapy in 
the State of Michigan. Graduates received a Bachelor of Science degree 
from the College of Literature, Science and the Arts and a Certificate 
in Physical Therapy from the Medical School. In 1982-83, in response to 
multiple professional developments, the educational program was 
relocated to the Flint campus of the University in order to achieve 
budgetary, curricular, logistical and administrative enhancements not 
possible on the Ann Arbor campus, due to changing Medical School 
priorities and a period of academic retrenchment.
  In keeping with its tradition of academic leadership, the program 
became the first program in the state to make the transition to the 
professional (entry-level) MPT (Master of Physical Therapy), as well as 
offer a post-professional MPT degree for practicing clinicians. The 
university will also be the first in the state to offer the Doctor of 
Physical Therapy (DPT) degree, with the first class graduating in 
December 2002. This doctoral degree will be the first doctoral degree 
offered at one of the University of Michigan regional campuses.
  Mr. Speaker, for 50 years the University of Michigan-Flint's Physical 
Therapy Department has prepared generalist physical therapy 
practitioners, many of whom have gone on to practice in specialty areas 
as well as teach in both academic and clinical settings, or who serve 
as managers and researchers within definitive areas of professional 
practice. Over 1700 graduates have served patient/clients not only in 
the state of Michigan but nationally and internationally. Many have 
assumed leadership positions in health care delivery systems and 
academic institutions. The long tradition of preparing practitioners 
who are outstanding clinicians who practice in a humanistic way has 
made the graduates of this program highly valued by client/patients and 
sought by employers. As a lifelong resident of Flint, I am 
exceptionally pleased with the accomplishments and advancements made at 
the university. It continues to serve as one of most valuable resources 
of my district. I ask my colleagues in the 107th Congress to please 
join me in congratulating the university, and the dedicated men and 
women that make up the Physical Therapy Department.

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