July 2, 2026

Wheeling University Physical Therapy Students Present Research and Receive White Coats

WHEELING, W.Va., July 2 – Wheeling University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students presented their capstone research projects and received their white coats during two separate events on Thursday, July 2.  

Activities began at 9 a.m. in Acker Auditorium, when the DPT students presented their research findings to faculty, staff, and students. A White Coat Ceremony followed at 2 p.m. at the CET’s Recital Hall. 

The student research presentations were a culmination of two years of study on a specific area of interest. The DPT students worked with a faculty member on the research projects that overlapped both the student’s and faculty’s interests. With seven faculty research mentors, each having their own areas of specialization, students had a wide range of opportunities from which to choose a research topic. 

“Participation in research is a key component of the Wheeling University DPT program, because our profession seeks evidence that therapeutic interventions have been proven and appropriate for patients,” said Dr. David Edwards, DPT Program Director and Associate Professor of Physical Therapy. “With increased emphasis on evidence-based practice, one of our priorities is to provide students the chance to work closely with a faculty mentor on research projects. The research the students produce can influence treatment plans and protocols for the patients they treat. Presentation of their scholarly work before their peers and the public is another key part of the process. In addition to their on-campus presentations, our physical therapy students are given the opportunity to present their research projects at state, national, and international conferences, as well as publish their results in professional journals.” 

Dr. Bryan Raudenbush, Professor of Physical Therapy and Research Coordinator, said, “The projects can take the form of experiments, reviews of current literature, case studies of patients, descriptive analyses, or the evaluation of various treatment options. At Wheeling University, we are educating students to be life-long learners, so they need the ability to be intelligent evaluators of research data. A physical therapist who knows how to determine if a research study is credible and of high quality will be a better therapist for their patients. We begin this process the first week students arrive on campus.” 

Eight students presented six different projects. The presentations included:

• Caitlyn Doherty: “Demographics and Comorbidities as a Predictor for Manipulation Under Anesthesia After Total Knee Arthroplasty”
• Garrett Stone: “Experimental Study of the Individual and Combined Effects of Full Spectrum Light Therapy and Peppermint Scent Administration”
• Sarah Duch and Dougneshia Summers: “Adaptive Sports in Doctorate of Physical Therapy Curriculum”
• Hunter Temple: “Use of the Clinical Education Curriculum Among Physical Therapy Educators Who Have Completed the APTA Credentialed Clinical Instructor Program Level 2 Course: A Mixed Methods Study”
• Kyle Johnson and Jacob Moore: “Course Instructors’ Perspectives for Choosing Post-First Design with Discussion Board Assignments: A Basic Qualitative Study”
• Austin Bassa: “Explosive Push-Up on Dual Force Plates: A Novel Approach to Upper Extremity Return-to-Sport Testing”

At the White Coat Ceremony, the DPT students recited the Physical Therapist’s Oath and received their white coats which signify their status as healthcare professionals. Dr. Rhonda Haley, Director of Clinical Education and Associate Professor of Physical Therapy, said, “The White Coat Ceremony is a rite of passage that emphasizes the importance of compassionate patient care as the students prepare for their final clinical education rotations. It is relevant in emphasizing the importance of the human connection in healthcare. Throughout their years of education, the students have been taught that empathy and respect are critical parts of optimal patient care in a clinical setting.” 

Dr. Chris Mercer gave the keynote address during the White Coat Ceremony. Dr. Mercer is a three-time graduate of Wheeling. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology in 1999, went onto receive a master’s in Physical Therapy in 2001 and then earned a doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2005. He serves as Director of Operations at WVU Medicine Reynolds Memorial Hospital.

The Wheeling University Department of Physical Therapy is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) and all faculty are members of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). Additional information about the Wheeling University Doctor of Physical Therapy Program can be found at https://wheeling.edu/academics/graduate/physical-therapy/ or by e-mailing dptadmissions@wheeling.edu