Cecil College celebrates PTA graduates
Published on May 20, 2024
Cecil College’s Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program celebrated the Class of 2024 with a White Coat Pinning Ceremony on Thursday, May 16, in the Technology Center Auditorium on the North East Campus. The ceremony honored six students who have completed rigorous course work and clinical training.
“We set the bar and standards high for our PTA students. We expect them to give 100 percent during the professional portion of the curriculum. In addition, our faculty are dedicated to their success, often spending extraordinary amounts of time with the students to ensure they understand, and can apply, not just memorize, the material,” said Director of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program Deanna Smith, PT, MPT.
Cecil College launched the program in January of 2015 with a five-year accreditation. The program received full ten-year accreditation in October 2021 due to its stellar outcomes.
Cecil’s PTA program rose to national prominence when 100 percent of its first six cohorts of graduates passed the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) on their first attempt. These results exceed the national and local averages in exam performance in all subject categories on the NPTE. The program currently maintains a 100 percent overall pass rate on the NPTE and a 100 percent employment rate due to their strong clinical partnerships with local physical therapy providers.
The students honored during the White Coat Pinning Ceremony include:
| Name | Hometown |
|---|---|
| James Brindley | North East, Md |
| Julia Coyne | Earleville, Md |
| Jenna D’Amico | Lincoln University, Pa |
| Marissa Grigora | Abingdon, Md |
| Richard Kind | Townsend, De |
| Skylar Sheppard | Elkton, Md |
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the demand for PTAs will grow 32 percent through 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations, with the annual mean wage in the State of Maryland being $68,870. (Source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physical-therapist-assistants-and-aides.htm)
If you are interested in a career in physical therapy that is cost and time effective, reach out to Program Director Deanna Smith at DSmith@nullcecil.edu or pta@nullcecil.edu. The program will start accepting applications in July 2024.