Lynchburg College is pleased to announce the hiring of Kevin Brueilly, P.T., Ph.D. as founding chair of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program scheduled to begin in the fall of 2010.
"Dr. Brueilly's extensive background as a teacher, researcher, and clinician make him the ideal person to lead the program through the accreditation process," said Dr. Tim Laurent, associate dean for academic affairs.
"As the director, he envisions an evidence-based curriculum with appropriate academic rigor and support that prepares leaders within physical therapy who are highly respected among their physical therapy colleagues and other health care providers. Emphasis will be placed upon educational experiences which are carefully planned to engage the learner in active learning strategies."
With a future shortage of physical therapists predicted across the country, LC plans to launch a new Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program in partnership with Centra.
The decision to offer the new three-year program came after an extensive feasibility study involving Lynchburg College, Centra, Rehab Associates of Central Virginia, Orthopaedic Center of Central Virginia, and Garman & Proffitt Physical Therapy.
Nationally, there are only 210 accredited physical therapy programs, and LC expects its new program to be fully accredited by the first graduating class in 2013. In Virginia, only Hampton, Marymount, Old Dominion, Shenandoah, and Virginia Commonwealth universities offer DPT programs. Educational requirements for physical therapists have changed over time with the elimination of bachelor's degree programs, and master's degree programs being phased out. New programs must now offer a doctorate program.
Dr. Brueilly has been a member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) since 1994, holding membership in the Acute Care, Education, and Research sections within the APTA.
He has been very involved in many areas of the profession of physical therapy throughout his career, volunteering time and expertise to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy in many capacities. He also serves as a reviewer for the Journal of Physical Therapy Education, and Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and is an Editorial Advisory Board member of the APTA's acute care publication Acute Care Perspectives.
Dr. Brueilly comes from the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans where he served as assistant professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program. He has also worked at Texas Tech University.
Dr. Bruielly earned his B.A. degree from Cedarville University, Cedarville, Ohio; his master of physical therapy degree from the University of St. Augustine, Institute of Physical Therapy, St. Augustine, Florida; and his Ph.D. from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas.
Dr. Brueilly will assume his position as of July 1, 2009. His initial work will include the design of the curriculum for this exciting new program for Lynchburg College.
For more information about the program, contact the graduate studies office by e-mail gradstudies@lynchburg.edu, phone 434/544-8383, or http://www.lynchburg.edu/dpt.xml.