Skip to main content Skip to main menu
UF Health University of Florida
Department of Physical Therapy College of Public Health and Health Professions
Become a Gator PT!

Graduating DPT students receive their white coats

Published On
Social Media

DPT Class of 2018, Graduation Banquet, PHHP - Physical TherapyOn May 3, over 400 guests attended the graduation dinner at the Touchdown Terrace to watch 69 Doctor of Physical Therapy students successfully graduate and receive their white coats. The ceremony kicked off with a warm welcome from Department Chair Dr. Krista Vandenborne, and we were honored to have Dr. Sharon Dunn, president of the American Physical Therapy Association and associate professor in the DPT program and chair of the rehabilitation sciences department at LSU Health New Orleans, deliver the Barbara C. White Lecture.

During the ceremony, a number of students received awards, including:

Thad Boucher – Martha C. Wroe Outstanding Clinical Student – Recognizes a graduating student who has completed all clinical affiliations demonstrating outstanding clinical performance and great promise in the field of physical therapy as documented by their clinical instructors.

Dino Medic – The Dr. Mark H. Trimble Memorial Scholarship – Established in 2001 in memory of the late Dr. Trimble. This award is presented to an outstanding student in orthopedics who demonstrates a strong commitment to learning, initiative, and self-reliance in his/her studies.

Janeen McCormick Blythe – Scholastic Achievement Award – For Excellence in Academic Performance throughout the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program 2015 – 2018. This award is given to a graduating student in recognition of outstanding scholastic achievement and it is based on the highest cumulative GPA while in the physical therapy program. This year, Janeen was the only student to graduate with a 4.0.

DPT Class of 2018, Graduation Banquet, PHHP - Physical Therapy
DPT c/o 2018 graduate, Janeen McCormick Blythe, received the Scholastic Achievement Award for her 4.0 GPA.
DPT Class of 2018, Graduation Banquet, PHHP - Physical Therapy
DPT Class of 2018, Graduation Banquet, PHHP - Physical Therapy

Students who received pro bono and leadership recognition were given honors and recognized throughout the white coat ceremony.

Additionally, Erienne Blanchard, PT, DPT, CMPT, CFC, received the Outstanding Clinical Educator of the Year award for displaying excellence in clinical instruction and dedication to the education of entry-level physical therapy students.

DPT Class of 2018, Graduation Banquet, PHHP - Physical Therapy

We are so proud of the graduating class of 2018 — congratulations to our new Gator DPTs! We wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors. To view all photos from the DPT Banquet, check out the DPT Graduation Banquet album on Facebook.