Embedded Files
Congratulations to DPT Class of 2026 recent grads who will be starting residencies this year!
Alyce Holtan
St. Kate’s DPT '26
Orthopedic Residency
TRIA
Burnsville
Heather Hulinsky
St. Kate’s DPT '26
Orthopedic Residency
Active PT, Rochester
Allie Spaulding
St. Kate’s DPT '26
Sports Residency
TCO Eden Prairie & TCO Eagan
Student News
Student News
Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute - EMPOWER Scholarship Recipient
Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute - EMPOWER Scholarship Recipient
Gaosou Yang, a second-year DPT student, received the 2026 EMPOWER Scholarship (Encourage Minority Participation in Occupations with Emphasis on Rehabilitation) from the Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute. Notably, this scholarship aims to support culturally diverse students pursuing education and careers in patient-centered rehabilitation and therapy professions and is made possible through the generosity of the David M. Hersey family. Gaosou currently serves as a student leader at St. Mary’s Pro Bono Clinic where she collaborates with interdisciplinary team members to provide care for underserved populations. In addition, she is an active member of the St. Catherine University DPT Diversity Board, where other student members and her contribute ideas to improving diversity, equity, and inclusion within the program. Gaosou stated, "Growing up as a Hmong-American woman, it was uncommon to see individuals who looked like me working in healthcare, especially in rehabilitation. There is a sense of comfort and connection that comes from seeing yourself represented in those providing care." Gaosou hopes to be able to create that same sense of belonging and trust for future patients and communities who may not often see themselves reflected in healthcare providers.
A note from your DPT Admissions Co-Chairs
A note from your DPT Admissions Co-Chairs
We are pleased to share that we have a full cohort for the incoming Class of 2029. The committee reviewed 175 completed applications, and accepted 64 students (37%). Ultimately, 34 matriculated into the Program. Admitted students continue to demonstrate a highly competitive academic profile, averaging an overall GPA of 3.78 and a prerequisite GPA of 3.72. The applicant pool continued to diversify, with BIPOC representation increasing to 19% of the overall pool (compared to 9% last year). Similarly, 19% of the admitted student pool identified as BIPOC, which aligns with the overall applicant pool. We have made efforts to make the application process more transparent by publishing an application rubric and checklist on our website. We have also integrated a video response to certain questions as part of the application materials.
We look forward to the start of our next application cycle,
Erin & Hugo
Doctor for a Day – Hennepin Healthcare American Indian Youth Stethoscopes Summit
Doctor for a Day – Hennepin Healthcare American Indian Youth Stethoscopes Summit
April 18, 2026
Graduate students from St. Kate’s Doctor of Physical Therapy Program (DPT) recently teamed up with students from the University of Minnesota DPT Program to participate in the Hennepin Healthcare American Indian Youth with Stethoscopes Summit on April 18th. During the event, K-12 students (ages 12-18) from the Twin Cities and beyond had a chance to participate in a whitecoat ceremony, explore a variety of healthcare careers including physical therapy, medicine, nursing, and dentistry, and meet healthcare professionals.
At the physical therapy station, DPT students from St. Kate’s and UMN talked with K-12 students about career paths for becoming a physical therapist and physical therapist assistant and facilitated participation through upper- and lower-body strength testing. Specifically, K-12 students learned how to test their grip strength and compare their numbers to other kids in their age range. K-12 students also performed a 30 second sit to stand chair test to test their leg strength and endurance. All in all it was a fun and engaging experience for both K-12 and DPT students!
Throughout the year, Hennepin Healthcare offers a series of youth stethoscopes events for Asian (October), Latine (November), Black (February), and American-Indian (April) K-12 students. Importantly, continued outreach is key to supporting underrepresented and historically marginalized K-12 students to overcome barriers and achieve their career goals. The DPT Program’s outreach efforts align with St. Kate’s institutional focus on social justice and the American Physical Therapy Association - Moves Me Ambassadors Campaign which aims to cultivate a robust future workforce.
Altogether, the St. Kate’s DPT outreach team connected with more than 400 K-12 students across the 4 Hennepin Healthcare Stethoscopes events. These opportunities have been a positive experience for K-12 students and families as well as DPT students and faculty. A big thank you to all of the students and faculty who volunteered at these events throughout the year! For more information out K-12 outreach or to schedule a visit with your school, please contact the St. Kate’s DPT Program dptprogram@stkate.edu.
*students pictured:
(top photo) from left to right Miranda Bade (St Kate's - 1st year), Lexi Gilbert (UMN - 1st year), Samantha Paulsen (UMN - 1st year), Paige Telecky (St. Kate's - 1st year)
(middle photo) Analisa Argon (St. Kate's - 2nd year), Owen Crowell (UMN - 1st year), Erin Reding (UMN - 1st year), Jessi Jordan (St. Kate's - 2nd year)
Student Awards
Student Awards
MN APTA Outstanding Student Award
The student demonstrates the highest level of professionalism, competence, initiative, and responsibility in the following areas: APTA member, engagement in APTA/MN APTA, community service, and clinical skills.
Congratulations to: Gillian Durand, DPT'26 and Rylie Turnquist, DPT'26 (pictured with Melanie Brennan, PT, DPT, President APTA Minnesota)
The National Physical Therapy Student Honor Society was established by The American Council of Academic Physical Therapy (ACAPT) in 2018 to recognize current Doctor of Physical Therapist students who demonstrate excellence, integrity, and professionalism in areas of academic achievement, leadership, service or research, and demonstrate strong moral character, ethics and the core values of the PT progression.
Congratulations to: Gabrielle Bodin DPT'26, Erin Murray DPT'26, Kristen Rutschke DPT'26, Ava Quick DPT'26, McKenna Robb DPT'26, Autumn Yelich DPT'26
APTA Academy of Education's Phi Tau Alpha (Physical Therapist Assistant) Honor Society recognizes physical therapist assistant students who have not only demonstrated high academic standards, but have embodied the core values of the physical therapy profession.
Congratulations to: Kaitlyn Matteson PTA'26, Sara Staub (formally Twedt) PTA'26, Gina Honek PTA'26, Taylor Peterson PTA'26, Brittany Przybylski PTA'26, and Kait Mitchell PTA'26 (Not pictured).
Scholarships
Scholarships
Congratulations to the following scholarship recipients for 2025-2026!
The Debra Ough Sellheim Endowed Scholarship recognizes potential to contribute to the PT progression.
Megan Philipson, DPT '27, Jessi Jordan , DPT '27, Aviva Silverman, DPT '27, Gaosou Yang, DPT'27, Hailley Thompson , DPT '28, Dorothy Kearney , DPT '28
The Mary McMillan Scholarship: the national APTA award for a 3rd year student with superior scholastic performance, potential for future contributions to the profession, and a history of APTA and community service. The nominee for 2025 is Gabrielle Bodin, DPT '26.
The Marilyn S. Woods and Stephanie J. Lunning Endowed Scholarship is awarded to a 3rd year student who exhibits characteristics of servant leadership, a commitment to professional development, and desire to practice in a rural area. Congratulations to Gabrielle Bodin, DPT '26.
Debra Sellheim, faculty emerita, pictured with Scholarship awardees.
Gabrielle Bodin, DPT '26 pictured with Bruce Lunning.
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