PT Classroom 2268Touro University Nevada, a nonprofit institution, stands out in its commitment to training dedicated professionals in the health care and medical fields, particularly in physical therapy. Touro is at the forefront as the demand for qualified health care experts grows nationwide, offering a unique program that sets it apart from other institutions.
Physical therapy is a type of rehabilitative health care in which trained professionals use specially designed equipment and personalized exercise routines to address abnormal physical functions. Physical therapists can help improve clients’ mobility, manage pain and chronic conditions, avoid the need for surgery and prescription drugs and enhance fitness to prevent or slow the progression of disease, optimize function, and reduce pain.
Dr. Lawrence Contreras, PT, DPT, is a board-certified orthopedic clinical specialist with a certificate in dry needling and an associate professor at Touro University Nevada. He keeps up with the latest techniques and best practices with continuing education and attending national conferences.
The program provides education and training and equips students with the practical skills necessary for real-world patient care after graduation, ensuring they are ready to make a difference in the field.
“One way is during the didactic portion utilizing standardized patients, with actors who present different patient scenarios to help mimic real-life scenarios that could occur, whether in a clinic or a hospital setting,” Contreras said.
“We provide hands-on practice, whether with a classmate or our standardized patients. That way they can practice their hands-on skills under the guidance of their faculty before they go to the clinic to treat real people with real conditions.”
The faculty at Touro are committed to providing students with the resources and help they need by maintaining an open-door policy. “If I’m sitting here in my office right now and my door is open, the students can come into my office and talk to me. What sets Touro University Nevada apart from other schools is its open-door policy, which I think is key for many of our students. They like face-to-face interaction. They like the ability to easily come into our offices and get help with their questions right away.”
One of the most important skills for students considering a career in physical therapy is empathy.
“As physical therapists, we work with a wide variety of patients who will tell us their personal stories, and about the reasons they are coming to us for help,” Contreras said. “Every patient is going to be different.”
Kassidy Chaney, a student physical therapist, will graduate in 2025, and after passing the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE), she will be licensed as a doctor of physical therapy.
Chaney was led into PT after performing gymnastics for 15 years, sustaining an injury, and recovering with the help of physical therapy.
“I like the sports aspect of helping bring those injured athletes back to their love of sports, so that is what led me to pursue this career,” Chaney said. After graduation, she would like to work with gymnasts, fulfilling her love for the sport and helping others with their passion for gymnastics despite any injuries.
“Our main orthopedics teacher, Dr. Contreras, has really helped us understand the body and the joints, preparing for an outpatient orthopedic background,” Chaney said. “I also have one other teacher, Dr. Gina Talamaro, who I have bonded with over gymnastics. She introduced me to a gym, and the athletes she treats, which is cool because it’s gymnastics (that) brings it full circle for me.”
Contreras said he is impacted by his students every day.
“I still communicate with a lot of my alumni and particularly many students who were my advisees. All of the faculty at Touro act as advisors to a group of students in each cohort. I am super proud of every single one of them. Their stories, whether big or small, are just a win in my heart every day because I help guide them in this journey, and they have grown up to be great physical therapists who will go on to help their patients live the lives they hoped for.”
“We have a good relationship with former students who graduated and now have clinical careers of their own. We take advantage of those connections by placing our current students with our alumni when they go out for their Clinical Experiences during their third year of training. The faculty of our physical therapy program have done an excellent job of preparing the next generation of physical therapists, and have had a lasting impact on the community,” added Dr. Robert Askey, Dean of the College of Health & Human Services.
To learn more about Touro University, click here.
Members of the editorial and news staff of the Las Vegas Review-Journal were not involved in the creation of this content.