Krannert School of Physical Therapy celebrates past, looks to future in College of Health Sciences
By Meisha Baker
Business Manager
The University of Indianapolis Krannert School of Physical Therapy celebrated its past and future Oct. 5 at Fountain Square.
As part of the ceremony the Krannert School of Physical Therapy observed its 25th anniversary. UIndy also recognized the formation of the College of Health Sciences in the ceremony.
Guests at the 25th anniversary celebration included past graduates, faculty and staff, Provost Deborah Balogh, President Beverley Pitts and other current UIndy faculty and staff.
UIndy has offered physical therapy programs since 1982. Since the first graduating class, the Krannert School of Physical Therapy has graduated 25 classes and over 3,000 students.
“The reason for celebrating 25 years is to commemorate and celebrate our past as we journey into our future as a college of health science,” said Associate Professor of Physical Therapy Julie Gahimer.
For 22 of the 25 years, the school only offered students the opportunity to graduate with a master’s degree. In 2005, the school graduated its first class of doctoral students.
The Krannert School of Physical Therapy is ranked 16th in the nation, according to U.S News and World Reports.
The Krannert School of Physical Therapy is a part of the new College of Health Sciences that was created in August of this year.
The College of Health Sciences is a combination of the Krannert School of Physical Therapy and the School of Occupational Therapy. Both of the schools have been operating separately for over 20 years.
The school of Occupational Therapy is the oldest OT school in the state of Indiana, said Executive Director of Administrative Affairs Anne Hardwick. It has been offering programs since the fall of 1985. The school offers a masters program and a post-professional program for those already working in OT.
In 2004, U.S. News and World Report ranked UIndy’s occupational therapy program 34th in the nation.
According to Hardwick, now that the two schools have combined it will allow the faculty of both schools a better opportunity to collaborate on research projects and allow the students to have more overlap in their curriculum.
“[We are] stronger as a college going forward when [we] have more resources,” Gahimer said.
Along with the combination of the schools, the university also has moved the offices of the faculty of the Krannert School of Physical Therapy and the School of Occupational Therapy. Now the offices reside in the same area to make collaboration easier, Gahimer said.
Although the schools are combined to allow for easier funding and collaboration, they still operate as separate entities.
“There will be autonomy in the schools,” Gahimer said.”So there will be two schools within the college.”
