Duquesne University Rangos School of Health Sciences

05/29/2026

Summer might be right around the corner, but learning never slows down here in the Rangos School of Health Sciences! ☀️

Today, our 1st Year Professional-Phase Physician Assistant students were hard at work in the Phlebotomy Lab, building hands-on skills and gaining real-world experience that will prepare them for success in healthcare. We’re proud to see their dedication and passion in action!

05/19/2026

05/16/2026

Our Physical Therapy students have been immersed in the Mediterranean culture by participating in the HEAL Initiative (Health, Education, Awareness and Longevity) in Pioppi, Italy. Lab classes with Dr. Mattia Bisconti (Italy) and Dr. Edo Zylstra (USA), Liran Lifsh*tz (Israel), Dr. Martin Ong’Wen Otieno (Kenya), a visit to the Museum of the Mediterranean Diet with Prof. Fuhrmann-Schembri. An interdisciplinary Symposium with the Nursing students featuring the Mayor of Pollica, Dr. Stefano Pisani, presentations funded by the Eugene P. Beard Presidential Prize for Innovation and Distinction HEAL Duquesne University’s Professor Dr. Anita Showalter, DO, MA, FACOOG, “Developing a Whole Person Approach to Patient Care”Tyler Hall, Senior Executive Chef, Duquesne University and Gayle Musulin, General Manager, Parkhurst Dining “Sharing the Table: Community, Cuisine, and Mediterranean Tradition”, Italian guest panelists Dr. Mattia Bisconti, “Italian Healthcare System 101”. Meditation Session on the beach followed by RistoLab Mediterranean Diet Experience and Lunch. A visit to the Museum and Archeological site of Paestum, a Group Lunch at La Dispensa, and a wine tasting at the San Salvatore Winery. The students fished with their Final Presentations for the PT in Ancient Rome course. A huge thank you to the staff Duquesne in Romefor their incredible talent, vision, creativity and excellence. Our Physical Therapy students and faculty are forever grateful!

I nostri studenti di Fisioterapia si sono immersi nella cultura mediterranea partecipando alla HEAL Initiative (Health, Education, Awareness and Longevity) a Pioppi, in Italia. Il programma ha incluso lezioni pratiche con il Dott. Mattia Bisconti (Italia), il Dott. Edo Zylstra (USA), Liran Lifsh*tz (Israele) e il Dott. Martin Ong’Wen Otieno (Kenya), oltre a una visita al Museo della Dieta Mediterranea con la Prof.ssa Fuhrmann-Schembri. Si è tenuto inoltre un Simposio interdisciplinare con gli studenti di Infermieristica, alla presenza del Sindaco di Pollica, Dott. Stefano Pisani, e con presentazioni finanziate dal "Eugene P. Beard Presidential Prize for Innovation and Distinction": la Prof.ssa Anita Showalter (DO, MA, FACOOG) della Duquesne University ha presentato "Sviluppare un approccio olistico alla cura del paziente"; Tyler Hall, Executive Chef della Duquesne University, e Gayle Musulin, General Manager di Parkhurst Dining, hanno tenuto l'intervento "Condividere la tavola: comunità, cucina e tradizione mediterranea"; tra i relatori ospiti italiani, il Dott. Mattia Bisconti ha presentato "Il sistema sanitario italiano: le basi". Il programma è proseguito con una sessione di meditazione in spiaggia, seguita dall'esperienza "RistoLab Dieta Mediterranea" e dal pranzo. Non sono mancate una visita al Museo e al sito archeologico di Paestum, un pranzo di gruppo presso "La Dispensa" e una degustazione di vini presso la Cantina San Salvatore. Gli studenti hanno concluso il soggiorno presentando i loro progetti finali per il corso "Fisioterapia nell'Antica Roma". Un immenso ringraziamento allo staff per il suo incredibile talento, la visione, la creatività e l'eccellenza. I nostri studenti e docenti di Fisioterapia saranno per sempre grati!

05/14/2026

The 4th Annual Physical Therapy World Summit Duquesne in Romewas extraordinary. Welcome address by Duquesne University Director of European Programs, Mr. Michael Wright. Students from Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore attended and joined our students. Speakers included: Dr.Matteo Pirinu, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Meyer IRCCS, Florence presented on Colosseum of Pediatric Physiotherapy: The Story of Caterina Affected by Obstetrical Brachial Plexus Palsy, Dr. Giorgia Coratti Assistant Professor | National Scientific Qualification as Associate Professor, Università
Cattolica del Sacro Cuore presenting on Paediatric Neuromuscular Diseases: Times are Changing, Dr.Wilfrida Otieno, Kenya, Pelvic Health and The Woman”s Experience in Low Income Countries (Obstetric Fistula), Dr. Mattia Bisconti ,Università di Roma “LaSapienza”, Rome, Transforming Tomorrow’s Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy: Innovation through Psychologically Informed Care, Dr. Jordana Lockwich,Duquesne University, USA, ‘Parkin Beats’ - Drumming Toward Better Movement and Exercise Intensity in Parkinson’s Disease , Dr. Martin Ong’Wen Otieno Clinical Director, Afyafrica Orthopedic Services (Kenya), A Good African Story: Navigating Challenges of Clinical Reasoning & Leadership in Low Resourced Healthcare Systems; Mr.Otis Fitzgerald,Physical Therapist ,Pittsburgh Pirates, USA, From the Ground Up: The Biomechanics of the Overhead Athlete, Dr.Christian Lorenzini ,Elite Cura & Allenamenyo, Siena, The Paralympic Athlete: Heart Beyond the Obstacle
Focus on Shoulder and Lower Back, Dr. Edo Zylstra Founder & Clinician | KinetaCare Physiotherapy, USA, The Radiculopathic Model of Orthopedics (RMO): Dry Needling in a Reproducible Framework,Dr.AmirTakla,AustralianPhysiotherapy,Australia, FAIS: Impingement in Elite Sport - Assessment, Treatment and When to Refer. World Tennis Tour Experience, Mr. Liran Lifsh*tz ,Physio & More, Israel, Rethinking ACL Injuries: Clinical Assessment, Hands-On Treatment, Rehabilitation, and the Cross-Bracing Protocol.

Il 4° Summit Mondiale Annuale di Fisioterapia presso la Duquesne University è stato straordinario. Il discorso di benvenuto è stato tenuto dal Direttore dei Programmi Europei della Duquesne University, il Sig. Michael Wright. Hanno partecipato studenti dell'Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, unendosi ai nostri studenti. Tra i relatori figuravano: il Dott. Matteo Pirinu (Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Meyer IRCCS, Firenze), che ha presentato "Il Colosseo della Fisioterapia Pediatrica: La storia di Caterina affetta da paralisi ostetrica del plesso brachiale"; la Dott.ssa Giorgia Coratti (Ricercatrice | Abilitazione Scientifica Nazionale a Professore Associato, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore), che ha relazionato su "Malattie neuromuscolari pediatriche: i tempi stanno cambiando"; la Dott.ssa Wilfrida Otieno (Kenya), con l'intervento "Salute pelvica e l'esperienza della donna nei paesi a basso reddito (Fistola ostetrica)"; il Dott. Mattia Bisconti (Università di Roma "La Sapienza"), con "Trasformare la fisioterapia muscoloscheletrica del futuro: innovazione attraverso un approccio psicologicamente informato"; la Dott.ssa Jordana Lockwich (Duquesne University, USA), con "Parkin Beats: suonare i tamburi per migliorare il movimento e l'intensità dell'esercizio nella malattia di Parkinson"; il Dott. Martin Ong’Wen Otieno (Direttore Clinico, Afyafrica Orthopedic Services, Kenya), con "Una buona storia africana: affrontare le sfide del ragionamento clinico e della leadership nei sistemi sanitari a risorse limitate"; il Sig. Otis Fitzgerald (Fisioterapista, Pittsburgh Pirates, USA), con "Dalle fondamenta: la biomeccanica dell'atleta overhead"; il Dott. Christian Lorenzini (Elite Cura & Allenamento, Siena), con "L'atleta paralimpico: il cuore oltre l'ostacolo – Focus su spalla e rachide lombare"; il Dott. Edo Zylstra (Fondatore e Clinico | KinetaCare Physiotherapy, USA), con "Il Modello Radicolopatico in Ortopedia (RMO): il Dry Needling in un framework riproducibile"; il Dott. Amir Takla (Australian Physiotherapy, Australia), con "FAIS: l'impingement nello sport d'élite – Valutazione, trattamento e indicazioni per l'invio specialistico. L'esperienza nel World Tennis Tour"; e il Sig. Liran Lifsh*tz (Physio & More, Israele), con "Ripensare le lesioni del LCA: valutazione clinica, trattamento manuale, riabilitazione e il protocollo Cross-Bracing".

05/04/2026

We can’t wait to celebrate our incredible graduates as they take the stage this Friday! It’s a moment years in the making, and we’re so proud of everything they’ve accomplished.

Can’t join us in person? No problem! Tune in live and be part of the celebration from wherever you are! Livestream: https://bit.ly/4upvy3T

05/02/2026

When most students have to run down Fifth Ave., it’s because they’re late to class or an appointment downtown.

This Sunday, third year Duquesne University Rangos School of Health Sciences Occupational Therapy student Molly T**a of Rochester, NY will be doing that same thing, only in the finishing stretch of the UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half Marathon, her first attempt at the distance.

Molly didn’t grow up a runner—far from it. She was a lifelong dancer, starting with Irish dance and later moving into ballet, jazz and contemporary. Running was something she “hated” for years. But a Mother’s Day request from her mom Jen—“the only thing I want is to go on a family run”—unexpectedly sparked her interest.

From there, running became a shared activity with her dad Dave, who has completed a full Ironman and run many races. Watching him race was transformative: “I had so much fun cheering… it was one of the best days of my life, probably because I didn’t have to do it,” she said smiling. Her love for her parents definitely shines through.

Now her dad is her coach and has given Molly a full training plan in preparation for this bigger goal. She runs three to four days a week, despite the many demands on her time with being a student in the highly-ranked OT program.

As her father is dealing with some lingering issues with his back, this may be her last chance to run a race with him. She is savoring this opportunity. Part of this celebration will also mark Jen’s 15th anniversary of being in remission from breast cancer.

Running has become a form of stress relief and helped Molly to focus and remember what’s important in life. It’s also been a big help in her getting to know the Pittsburgh area and experience many of its unique neighborhoods and culture, including the Eliza Furnace Trail, North Park and the North Shore.

“Even when I started training for this, like looking at my plan and thinking, you're going run 12 miles? Like no, you're not. If you really like dedicate yourself to it, you can do it. And that can like translate I guess to anything in life. So, it's really made me more proud of every week where I'm saying OK, one more mile.”

Molly’s training in the OT program also reminds her to appreciate her physical ability. “Some of these people will never walk again, she said. I do it because who knows if you could ever do it again.”

04/30/2026

As part of our Month of Unity, we were proud to partner with Envision Blind Sports and host their Spring Sports Clinic on campus.

In collaboration with the Sports Medicine Interest Group in the Nasuti College of Osteopathic Medicine, our students engaged in hands-on learning while building meaningful connections with athletes in our community. From guide running to blind soccer, basketball, and goalball, it was an inspiring day of collaboration and fun.

We are grateful to our community partners, as well as our students, faculty, and Community Building and Engagement Committee, for making this impactful experience possible and accessible at no cost to participants.

04/29/2026

Our Physical Therapy students Duquesne in Rome abroad completed their Tuscany Excursion which included our sports and advanced manual therapy students spending time in Siena visiting the Élite Cura e Allenamento clinics with Dr. Christian Lorenzini, followed by a welcome delegation to Siena with students from the University of Siena’s Physical
Therapy program and Siena’s Sport Commissioner in Palazzo Patrizi. A Special visit to the Palazzo Pubblico, Siena’s historic town hall, a masterpiece of medieval civic architecture overlooking Piazza del Campo, symbolizing the city’s long tradition of public governance with local guide Fernanda Biserni. Wrapping up with a visit observing the Mens Sana Basketball Siena team practice and PT observation. Our pediatric students visited the Meyer Children’s Hospital in Florence where they met with the staff and patients. Then all students participated in Florence with a walking lecture across the heart of Florence, stopping along the way for educational insights into some of the city’s most fascinating sites including the Orphanage of SS. Annunziata, the Museo della Specola, Florence’s historic natural history museum, home to extraordinary 18th-century anatomical wax models where our Physical therapy students gained a unique 3D perspective on musculature, organs, and skeletal structures, reinforcing anatomy, biomechanics, and structure-function relationships essential for clinical practice.

I nostri studenti di Fisioterapia all'estero hanno completato la loro escursione in Toscana; il programma ha visto gli studenti specializzati in terapia sportiva e manuale avanzata trascorrere del tempo a Siena, visitando le cliniche "Élite Cura e Allenamento" insieme al Dott. Christian Lorenzini. A seguire, si è tenuto un ricevimento di benvenuto a Palazzo Patrizi, alla presenza degli studenti del corso di Fisioterapia dell'Università di Siena e dell'Assessore allo Sport della città. È stata poi la volta di una visita speciale a Palazzo Pubblico – lo storico municipio di Siena, capolavoro dell'architettura civile medievale affacciato su Piazza del Campo e simbolo della lunga tradizione di governo pubblico della città – guidata dalla guida locale Fernanda Biserni. L'esperienza si è conclusa con la possibilità di assistere all'allenamento della squadra di basket Mens Sana Siena e di osservare l'attività fisioterapica sul campo. I nostri studenti specializzati in ambito pediatrico hanno visitato l'Ospedale Pediatrico Meyer di Firenze, dove hanno avuto modo di incontrare il personale e i piccoli pazienti. Successivamente, tutti gli studenti hanno partecipato a Firenze a una "lezione itinerante" attraverso il cuore della città, facendo tappa lungo il percorso per approfondire la conoscenza di alcuni dei luoghi più affascinanti, tra cui l'Istituto degli Innocenti (già Ospedale della SS. Annunziata) e il Museo della Specola. Quest'ultimo, storico museo di storia naturale di Firenze, ospita straordinari modelli anatomici in cera del XVIII secolo; qui, i nostri studenti di Fisioterapia hanno acquisito una prospettiva tridimensionale unica su muscolatura, organi e strutture scheletriche, consolidando le proprie conoscenze in anatomia, biomeccanica e relazioni struttura-funzione, elementi essenziali per la pratica clinica.

04/26/2026

Incredible first week for the Physical Therapy students . The week began with visits to the Gemelli hospital, UPMC Salvador Mundi hospital, guest lectures from Italian Physiotherapists, Ancient Rome class exploring Stadium of Domitian, Baths of Agrippa and Nero; Aqua Virgo & Vicus
Caprarius; Pantheon and monuments celebrating the emperors. Colosseum, Forum Romanum & Palatine Hill; Saints Cosmas and Damian;
Tiber Island & Temple of Aesculapius, Ostia Antica: Daily life in an Ancient Roman port city

Incredibile prima settimana per gli studenti di Fisioterapia della Duquesne University di Roma. La settimana è iniziata con visite all'ospedale Gemelli e all'ospedale UPMC Salvador Mundi, lezioni tenute da fisioterapisti italiani, e una lezione sull'antica Roma con approfondimenti sullo Stadio di Domiziano, le Terme di Agrippa e di Nerone, l'Acquario e il Vicus Capririus, il Pantheon e i monumenti dedicati agli imperatori, il Colosseo, il Foro Romano e il Palatino, i Santi Cosma e Damiano, l'Isola Tevere e il Tempio di Esculapio, e Ostia Antica: la vita quotidiana in un'antica città portuale romana.

04/24/2026

Congratulations to our Public Health graduates on their outstanding capstone presentations! Your hard work, passion, and commitment to improving community health were on full display, and we couldn’t be more proud of all you’ve accomplished.

A special thank you to our dedicated mentors for their guidance and support throughout this journey, your impact makes all the difference.

The future of public health is bright, and it’s in great hands with this next generation of leaders.