Following six months of construction, finishing touches are taking place on the exterior of a new 20,000 square foot building at Georgia Campus – Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Once interior finishes are complete, this building will be the home of the new Department of Physical Therapy, along with adding research space to the campus. The physical therapy department is preparing to seek candidacy from the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
In the meantime, letters of intent for student physical therapy rotations are being signed and new faculty members have hit the ground running. Phillip Palmer, PT, PhD, serves as professor and chair of the department, while Carol Miller, PT, PhD, GCS is a professor and director of curriculum and instruction.
Recently added to the team are Robert Friberg, PhD, PT, CFMT, who serves as professor and director of faculty and student development; and Jennifer Wiley, PT, CPT, an associate professor and associate director for clinical education.
Dr. Friberg has taught in a variety of physical therapist education programs in Texas, Oklahoma and Iowa. His credits include developing a physical therapist education program at Des Moines University, home of an osteopathic medicine college. During that time, he became acquainted with the osteopathic manipulative medicine philosophy and has integrated these techniques into his practice. Dr. Friberg is also a licensed professional counselor which provides him with the knowledge and skills to direct faculty and student development.
Dr. Wiley’s experience and background in clinical practice and her previous faculty experience enhance the development of the physical therapy education program. She has devoted her career to engagement with students through collaborative research and clinical experience, mentoring and advising.
Rounding out the department is administrative assistant Kimberly Frazier.
Submission of Application for Candidacy does not assure that the physical therapist education program will be granted Candidate for Accreditation status from CAPTE. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status is required prior to implementation of the professional phase of the program; therefore, no students may be enrolled in professional courses until Candidate for Accreditation status has been achieved. Although achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status signifies satisfactory progress toward accreditation, it does not assure that the program will be granted accreditation.
Learn more about GA-PCOM's physical therapy curriculum and about the program's application requirements.
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PCOM Georgia has been serving students and the community for 20 years as a branch campus of Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), a private, not-for-profit, accredited institution of higher education established in 1899. Located in Suwanee (Gwinnett County), PCOM Georgia offers doctoral degrees in osteopathic medicine, pharmacy and physical therapy. Graduate degrees are offered in biomedical sciences, medical laboratory science and physician assistant studies. The campus joins PCOM South Georgia in Moultrie in helping to meet the healthcare needs of the state. Emphasizing "a whole person" approach to care, PCOM Georgia focuses on educational excellence, interprofessional education and service to the community. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 678-225-7500. The campus is also home to the Georgia Osteopathic Care Center, an osteopathic manipulative medicine clinic, which is open to the public by appointment. For more information, visit pcomgeorgiahealth.org.
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