For students pursuing careers in physical therapy (PT) and health sciences, it’s natural to assume that learning takes place primarily in classrooms, labs and clinics. However, sometimes the most meaningful growth happens far outside campus, such as on a mountain, through service to others, and by facing hard things head-on with courage.
That’s where Evan Pucillo, PT, DPT, EdD, associate professor of PT programs at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) in St. Augustine, FL, finds himself this year.
In February, Dr. Pucillo will climb Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa, to raise funds and awareness for Return to Zero: H.O.P.E. (RTZ Hope), a nonprofit supporting families coping with pregnancy and infant loss. His journey is deeply personal, but his message is unmistakably empowering: Healing, endurance and service are inseparable from progression.
Preparing for the climb
Climbing Kilimanjaro is no small undertaking. Rising as the world’s tallest free-standing mountain, this dormant Tanzanian volcano is celebrated for its iconic snow-capped summit and its diverse vegetation zones.
The seven-day, 42-mile trek ascends from roughly 9,000 feet to a summit elevation of 19,341 feet, demanding physical conditioning and mental resilience. Dr. Pucillo begins the climb on February 9, the birthday of his son, Joseph Angelo Pucillo, and will spend days navigating steep terrain, thin air and limited oxygen at the summit.
Climbing Kilimanjaro is strictly regulated; you must go with a licensed tour company, follow permit rules, travel with a set number of guides who carry your gear and experience altitudes that can’t be replicated in Dr. Pucillo’s home state of Florida.
“The physical aspect is easiest to prepare for because it’s objective and tangible,” Dr. Pucillo says. He explains that the mental and emotional side is different. “In a way, I don’t want to over-prepare for that; I want to experience what the mountain brings fully.”
As a physical therapist (PT), Dr. Pucillo has approached training over the past year with intention, hiking long distances with a weighted pack, running races and addressing lingering hip dysfunction through physical therapy.
“It reminded me that no one is invincible,” Dr. Pucillo reflects. “Even as a PT, you need help sometimes, and that’s an important lesson for students to understand early.”
A mountain as a metaphor
Five years ago, Dr. Pucillo and his wife, Marie, lost their son shortly after his premature birth. In the years that followed, Dr. Pucillo and Marie have navigated life one step at a time, raising their two other children, Elena Rose (8) and Giovanni (3), while keeping Joseph’s memory alive. Through their grief, they’ve learned that healing is never a straight path. It unfolds in the stories we tell, the bonds we nurture and the challenges we choose to face.
Rather than centering the climb on loss, Dr. Pucillo frames it as a symbol of endurance and reflection. He explains that when someone is living with trauma, it’s often pushed into a dark corner of the mind, left unprocessed. To live a healthier, more balanced life, he argues that it’s important to confront and work through those experiences. This is meant to be a space for engaging with that process without distractions.
“Climbing this gigantic mountain felt like a metaphor for what our family experienced,” he describes. “There are moments when you’re standing at the base of something overwhelming, wondering how you’ll ever make it through.”
He hopes others see themselves in that example, not just parents who have experienced loss, but anyone navigating grief, trauma or uncertainty. “No one should feel alone in those moments,” Dr. Pucillo advocates. “There are people who want to help and who are willing to listen.”
The role of Return to Zero: HOPE
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2022, the U.S. recorded an infant mortality rate of 5.6 deaths per 1,000 live births. Organizations like RTZ Hope help raise awareness, and by Dr. Pucillo taking on this hike, participants not only witness the challenges firsthand but also learn how to cope with them and connect with people who can share guidance.
After the loss of their son and his wife’s emergency surgery, the Pucillo family found support through RTZ Hope, a nonprofit providing mental health resources and community for grieving families. Today, Dr. Pucillo is providing service to the organization’s board and helps with fundraising.
“We didn’t have to navigate that season alone,” he says. “That support changed everything for us, and giving back felt like a natural extension of our healing.”
The climb aims to raise $10,000 for the organization, with fundraising remaining open even after the trek concludes. “This is about impact, not just a number,” Dr. Pucillo says. “Every dollar helps families access resources when they need them most.”
Lessons for future PTs
For students, Dr. Pucillo’s journey mirrors the heart of physical therapy education. Rehabilitation, like mountaineering, requires patience and respect for limits.
Dr. Pucillo describes how psychosocial and emotional aspects of physical therapy help individuals recognize boundaries, build self-awareness and develop necessary mental strength, lessons that extend beyond the clinic.
He elaborates, “Healing and endurance are deeply connected. PT teaches you when to push and when to pause, and that skill applies far beyond the clinic.”
He also sees this effort as an example of faculty service in action. “When you step into an educator role, service becomes a part of who you are,” he explains. “USAHS encourages us to be a force for good, and this is one way I’m trying to live that out.”
As he prepares to leave for Tanzania, Dr. Pucillo hopes students take one thing with them: Your education is not just about techniques and credentials; It’s about compassion, resilience and showing up for others.
Follow Dr. Pucillo’s climb and the fundraising campaign benefiting RTZ Hope, Conquering Kilimanjaro: A Journey with Joseph, at RTZ Hope.
