Is a Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree Worth It? If you’re dreaming about helping patients restore their mobility and quality of life, and you’re exploring what it would take to become a physical therapist, you may be wondering, “Is a degree in physical therapy worth it?” The answer to this question depends, of course, on your personal career goals. Some people choose to become physical therapist assistants because only a two-year associate degree is required. It’s true that pursuing a doctorate takes time and effort; however, there are countless advantages to earning a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. To that end, let’s look at some of the factors that make a Doctor in Physical Therapy (DPT) degree the best first step on an exceptional career Read more
Mary Zadnik, ScD, MEd, OTR/L
Program Director, OT Programs and Austin, TX Campus Director
Dr. Mary Zadnik, ScD, MEd, OTR/L is an Associate Professor and Program Director for the entry-level Occupational Therapy programs on the Austin, TX campus. She formerly served as an assistant scientist at John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore and an adjunct professor at Towson University in Maryland. She is an experienced clinician and researcher who has served in occupational therapist positions at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD, Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore, the University of Maryland Medical Center and Hanover Hospital in Pennsylvania. She also previously served as clinical research supervisor for the University of Maryland Medical Center’s orthopedic trauma surgery department.
Dr. Zadnik has served as project director for several U.S. Department of Defense research grants, most recently for a study addressing the challenges of recovering from major extremity trauma through the Major Extremity Trauma Research Consortium (METRC), and a trial testing the effectiveness of an antibiotic sleeve in the reduction of surgical wound infection for orthopedic musculoskeletal trauma to the lower legs. She also worked with the Patient Response to an Integrated Orthotic and Rehabilitation Initiative for Traumatic Injuries (PRIORITI) – Military Treatment Facilities (MTF) study to assist in the production of explanatory videos and a website for IDEO, a new orthosis or brace for the lower leg.
Dr. Zadnik has published research in the Journal of Rehabilitation Psychology, the Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances, Rehabilitation Research, Policy, and Education, American Journal of Occupational Therapy and the Journal of Occupational Therapy Education. She has presented research at professional conferences, including the Orthopedic Trauma Association Annual Meeting, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting, American Occupational Therapy Association and the World Federation of Occupational Therapy. Her current research is focused on program development in several areas: Injury prevention, service-learning and collaborative learning experiences among allied health students.
