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Tag Archive: pta program

Sami Dowling
December 3, 2021

Finlandia Fridays meet up with instructor Sami Dowling (’10) to discuss PTA Program and Club

This week, Finlandia Fridays welcome to the show PTA Program Instructor Sami Dowling (’10) to talk about Finlandia’s PTA Program and the newly revitalized PTA Club for students. Dowling shares her journey as a FinnU student, what inspired her to become a PTA as well as her journey back to Finlandia as an instructor.

“The beautiful thing about Finlandia is that it’s like a family. I’m still in touch with my instructors from when I was in the program. [...]

October 20, 2021

Rajala joins Financial Aid staff

Finlandia’s Financial Aid department recently welcomed alumna Jenna Rajala (’15) as the new Coordinator of Student Accounts. Rajala started her higher education journey as a Finlandia student in 2004 and returned to finish her Physical Therapist Assistant degree at the university in 2015.

“This will be my third adventure at Finlandia but my first experience as a staff member,” Rajala said.

After graduating, Rajala worked for a local nursing home as a physical therapist assistant and later served as coordinator for [...]

August 19, 2021

Meet your Fall 2021 Orientation Leaders

Finlandia is excited to introduce its Fall 2021 Orientation Leaders. On-Campus Orientation is a series of in-person events and activities that will introduce students to the Finlandia campus and community. Each new student will be assigned to an orientation group or “flock”, named after a bird species that is present in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Each flock will have a different orientation schedule, which will be provided to students after they arrive on campus. We encourage students to ask questions and [...]

July 30, 2021

Finlandia hires new PTA Program Director

Finlandia University has recently hired Melanie Thurmond as its College of Health Sciences Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program Director and Assistant Instructor.

Thurmond (’06) attained an associate’s degree from Finlandia’s PTA program and a bachelor’s degree from DeVry University in Finance. In addition, Thurmond holds a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Findlay, an opportunity provided by Finlandia’s graduate pathway toward the DPT program. Practicing as a PTA for nine years and as a DPT for six, Thurmond also [...]

PTA 2+2
February 14, 2020

FinnU’s New 2+2 PTA Program

On this episode of Finlandia Fridays host, Olivia Myers is joined by senior Jayson Dahlquist and administrative coordinator for clinical education, Nicole Polakowski. The group discussed the new PTA 2+2 program that allows students to receive their associate’s degree in PTA and continue on to receive their bachelor’s in Liberal Studies. With this program students the opportunity to move on a Doctor of Physical Therapy program if they choose.

“The 2+2 came about because of students like [...]

February 11, 2019

Physical Therapist Assistant Program Page Updated

Finlandia University’s physical therapist assistant (PTA) program is the latest recipient of an updated academic program page.

Much like previously updated academic program pages, the physical therapist assistant program page is geared more toward incoming and prospective students. The updated page features videos highlighting the program from the perspective of faculty and alumni. There is also an emphasis placed on visuals throughout the page, showing visitors what to expect from the PTA program.

The completion of the physical therapist assistant [...]

April 13, 2018

Geri Hawley explains why Physical Therapist Assistant is a great degree option

Geri Hawley, an instructor in the Physical Therapists Assistant (PTA) program, stopped by Finlandia Fridays this week to discuss the PTA degree offered at Finlandia. “We are designed to prepare students to go out into the clinical field and work with patients under a physical therapist to be able to treat patients and get them better in any pathology they have,” stated Hawley. The program is a two-year program, with students receiving more intensive training in their second year.  [...]

October 28, 2016

Finlandia Fridays dives into PTA program

This week on Finlandia Fridays host Michael H. Babcock discusses the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program offered at Finlandia University with soon-to-be graduate Devin Smith. In this installment of Finlandia Fridays, Smith outlines his personal experiences here at Finlandia University and during his time in the PTA program. Smith touches on topics including his first experiences at Finlandia, his personal involvement in the PTA program and the PTA Club – including Saturday’s Soup for Sneakers event at the Finnish American [...]

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