Concordia University Ann Arbor

10/07/2026

CUAA’s hybrid Doctor of Occupational Therapy learners are on campus this week for their very first Integration Experience week.

This immersive week is designed to bring online learning into hands-on practice through clinical skill-building, collaboration, and community. Learners are practicing foundational skills such as donning PPE and working with gait belts while also spending meaningful time with their cohort and program faculty.

At Concordia, occupational therapy education is about more than completing coursework. It is about preparing compassionate practitioners who recognize the dignity of each person and are ready to serve with skill, creativity, and care.

This first Integration Experience marks an exciting step forward for CUAA’s hybrid OT program, where flexibility and hands-on preparation come together in a Christ-centered learning community.

10/06/2026

Congratulations to Professors Sternisha and Osann on their growing families!

The School of Health Professions recently celebrated both professors with a baby “sprinkle,” showering them with diapers, wipes, and plenty of well wishes from their CUAA community.

We are grateful for the care, leadership, and joy they bring to our learners each day, and we’re excited to celebrate this sweet season with them.

10/01/2026

October is National Physical Therapy Month, and it is a great time to ask: What can physical therapy make possible?

National Physical Therapy Month grew out of Physical Therapy Week, which APTA and participating components began celebrating in the early 1980s. The first National Physical Therapy Month was celebrated in October 1992. Since then, the month has helped raise public awareness about how physical therapy supports healing, prevention, mobility, strength, and quality of life.

This year, APTA’s PT For Future Me campaign reminds us that PT is not only for recovery. It is also a lifelong tool for wellness, resilience, and investing in future health.

For undergraduate health science learners, physical therapy offers a meaningful educational pathway that blends anatomy, movement science, clinical reasoning, hands-on care, and service to others.

Want in? Explore CUAA’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program and discover how your gifts could serve patients in mind, body, and spirit.

09/25/2026

"But what if I have a bad day?"

That question from a participant at the No Falls Festival stayed with Tarik Abdulreda, one of our Doctor of Physical Therapy students. Together, they talked through how to scale his home exercises down on tougher days instead of skipping them, and he walked away with more confidence than a handout alone could give.

On Saturday, Sept. 19, twelve students from our DPT Cohort of 2027 joined faculty, fellow students and the Michigan Parkinson Foundation at the Kirk Gibson Center for Parkinson's Wellness in Farmington Hills. They led fall risk screenings, shared home exercise guidance and offered individualized recommendations to about 25 people living with Parkinson's and 20 caregivers.

It was a day of learning outside the classroom, and a chance for our future physical therapists to serve their neighbors with compassion as they prepare for their calling. The work continues with another event on Saturday, Oct. 17.

We're proud of our students and grateful to our partners and every participant who joined us. Read the full story:

CUAA Doctor of Physical Therapy students put their education into practice through fall-prevention screenings, education and one-on-one support. There was plenty of learning taking place at the No Falls Festival on Saturday, Sept.

09/24/2026

Even capable, hard-working learners can wrestle with the quiet fear that they are not enough.

Today, Dr. Erin Laverick, CUAA’s Associate Vice President of Academic and Student Success, spoke with Physician Assistant learners about recognizing and overcoming imposter syndrome. The session focused on helping learners identify self-doubt in themselves, name common patterns of imposter thinking, and practice healthier ways to respond when confidence feels shaky.

In a rigorous healthcare program, moments of uncertainty are normal. What matters is learning how to move through them with honesty, support, and resilience.

At Concordia, learners are prepared as whole people—mind, body, and spirit—as they grow into the compassionate, skilled, and purpose-driven providers they are called to become.

Reach your potential today. Follow to learn more.

09/23/2026

The No Falls Festival this past weekend was a powerful example of what can happen when community partnership and compassionate service come together. Concordia University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy students, in collaboration with the Michigan Parkinson Foundation and the Kirk Gibson Center, dedicated their time and expertise to educating participants about fall prevention and safe, effective home exercises.

Our students truly embodied compassion for service—listening carefully, individualizing recommendations, and meeting each person with respect and encouragement. The feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive; many expressed deep gratitude for the clear explanations, practical strategies, and sense of support they received.

Events like this remind us that clinical knowledge is most meaningful when it is shared in ways that empower others. We are incredibly proud of our students and grateful to our community partners and participants for making this event such a success.

Our follow up event will be held on Saturday, October 17th.

09/21/2026

Caring for our community means making health resources accessible.

Concordia University Ann Arbor is partnering with Kroger Health to host a public vaccine clinic on campus this October. Walk-ins are welcome, and a range of vaccinations will be available, including flu, COVID-19, pneumonia, RSV, shingles, Tdap, hepatitis, MMR and more.

Clinic dates:

Thursday, Oct. 1
8–10:30 a.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 6
12:30–2 p.m.

Please bring your prescription insurance card.

This clinic reflects CUAA’s commitment to serving others with care, knowledge and compassion. We’re grateful for this opportunity to welcome our campus community and neighbors for a practical step toward wellness.

09/16/2026

CUAA is proud to celebrate two outstanding members of our Doctor of Physical Therapy community.

Dr. Melissa Kieffer, PT, DPT, PhD, GCS, has been selected as this year’s recipient of the APTA Michigan Outstanding Educator Award. A board-certified specialist in geriatrics, Dr. Kieffer brings deep clinical experience, a passion for holistic patient care and a strong commitment to helping future physical therapists grow in confidence and purpose.

We also congratulate Elizabeth Yim, DPT ’26, who has been named one of this year’s recipients of the APTA Michigan Outstanding PT Student Award. Liz is currently completing her final clinical rotation as she prepares to step into the profession.

Both will be honored Oct. 2 at the APTA Michigan state-wide conference.

We are grateful for the way they represent CUAA through excellence, compassion and service.

09/16/2026

Concordia University Ann Arbor was recently featured in Bridge Michigan, spotlighting how colleges are rethinking the traditional path to a bachelor's degree.

The article highlighted Concordia's accelerated programs, which let students complete all 120 credits in three years by studying year round. Among those featured was Concordia graduate Jill VanSolkema, who enrolled in an accelerated online education program in 2024 while working full time. She graduated in May, finally reaching her longtime goal of becoming a teacher.

Read the full story:

Concordia University Ann Arbor was recently featured in a Bridge Michigan story examining how colleges are rethinking the traditional four-year path to a bachelor’s degree. The Sept.