UF Alumna Crosses the DPT Bridge on Her Way to CHT Residency

After graduating with her undergraduate degree from Thomas Edison State University  in Trenton, N.J., Alyssa Millsap, DPT ’20 began her search for a doctorate of physical therapy program. She found University of Findlay’s physical therapy assistant (PTA) to doctor of physical therapy (DPT) bridge program.

“I liked that you were still able to work while completing the program. It wasn’t an option for me personally to attend a traditional PT program and I felt that as a PTA there was a lot of information I already had (basics like goniometry and manual muscle testing). Findlay provided me the opportunity to grow and add to what I already knew,” Alyssa said. “The Weekend Bridge program allowed for weekend labs to be really intensive and hands-on. Lectures were short, sweet, and to the point so that we could focus on hands-on information.”

Alyssa has been driven toward physical therapy her whole life, starting with an ankle injury in high school that helped her decide on a college major. When her mom suffered a traumatic fall and broke her wrist in 2021, Alyssa found a new interest. “I followed along with her therapy process which made me want to specialize and focus on the upper quarter,” she said. Alyssa is now finishing up her KORT/Select Medical CHT (certified hand therapist) Residency program, where she treats patients, does splinting, and makes custom orthotics for people.

“The best part about being a physical therapist is that the opportunities are endless. I am never bored in my job because I am always seeing new diagnoses and getting to meet new people,” Alyssa said. When she’s not in the office working, Alyssa is working pro-bono with a local gymnastics gym where she does pre-injury screenings and develops exercise ideas for gymnasts’ specific weak areas. “I also have plans to go and speak with local quilting groups about thumb and hand arthritis,” she said.

Alyssa will graduate from the CHT residency this summer and plans to sit for the CHT exam in 2024. “It is recommended that you plan to study for an entire year and then attend a review course,” she said. “After that, I am considering travel therapy so I can get as much exposure to different branches of therapy all while utilizing my CHT in a variety of ways.”

For more information on University of Findlay’s DPT program, including the traditional and PTA to DPT bridge options, visit their website.