Gannon University's Doctor of Physical Therapy Program will be a leader in educating autonomous physical therapists who participate in integrative and collaborative practice to facilitate high quality health and educational outcomes. We will be practitioners of choice in the community, recognized as experts in movement, function and health. As leaders we will embrace our social responsibility, promote humanistic care, and contribute to the profession's body of knowledge.

Physical Therapy is a health care profession that primarily focuses

on the preservation, development, and restoration of optimal

function. Physical therapists provide evaluative, rehabilitative, and

preventive health care services designed to alleviate pain; prevent

the onset and progression of impairment, functional limitation,

disability resulting from injury, disease, or other causes; and

restore, maintain and promote overall fitness, health and optimal

quality of life. Physical therapists work with individuals of all ages

who demonstrate movement dysfunction, or the potential for such

dysfunction, of the neurological, musculoskeletal, integumentary,

and cardiopulmonary systems.

Physical therapists practice in a hospital setting, or provide services

in out-of-hospital settings through home health agencies, in nursing

homes, in industrial settings, through public health agencies, in

private physical therapy clinics, in public schools and in a variety

of other nontraditional settings.

Gannon is a Catholic, Diocesan university dedicated to excellence in teaching, scholarship and service. Gannon’s faculty and staff prepare students to be global citizens through programs grounded in the liberal arts and sciences and professional specializations. Inspired by the Catholic Intellectual Tradition, The University offer a comprehensive, values-centered learning experience that emphasizes faith, leadership, inclusiveness and social responsibility.

Gannon is located in Pennsylvania's fourth largest city and one of the busiest ports on the Great Lakes. Gannon’s urban campus, in the middle of downtown Erie, is within a two hour drive of Cleveland, Buffalo, and Pittsburgh. The unique location and facilities create a special atmosphere conducive to learning, scholarship, research, service, and personal growth.

The Florida site is an innovative response to the increasing demand for high-quality graduate education in disciplines that serve the rapidly expanding health care sector of the Florida economy. The additional site increases the opportunity for Gannon University students, prospective students and faculty to help meet the need for health professionals in a state where the population of both older persons and school-age persons is growing.

The extensive market research spanned the country and several states with growing populations. The west coast of Florida had the optimal balance of growing population of college-age students, a growing need for health care professionals combined with a limited number of graduate health care professional programs and an extremely welcoming community.

The additional site was also chosen for its congruence with Gannon University's Mission and Catholic Identity. The University was encouraged to find open and eager partners within the Ruskin community, the Catholic Diocese of St. Petersburg and at potential sites for clinical and field placements.