Inside Education and Health Sciences

Megan Garro '25 didn't always plan to be a physical therapist, but was introduced to the career after a sporting injury in high school. 

"I was amazed that there was a job out there that is all about getting people back to their best functional state," Garro said.

Heading into her final semester of the three-year doctoral program, Garro has spent countless hours in the classroom and the lab, and has one final clinical rotation left to apply what she has learned in real life situations.

Garro has consistently achieved clinical accolades. Last February, she was awarded the Star Student of the Month from Summa Health in Akron, Ohio.

"She always brings great treatment ideas and wants to deliver the best care to make patients as successful as possible," her nominator said. "Megan consistently provided individualized personal care to each of her patients and showed passion for the care she provided while here on clinical. Congratulations to Megan for this well-deserved recognition." 

The physical therapy program is structured so students complete the classroom portion of a particular aspect of physical therapy, such as orthopedics or neurology, and then go out into the field and spend 12 weeks practicing and applying the skills that they just learned. 

"That really helps me because the second I get to apply what I learn it’ll be in my head forever," Garro said. "Faculty also consistently check in on us, making sure we fully absorbed the material."

Garro graduates in May 2025 as a doctor of physical therapy. At this point, her hope is to focus on sports physical therapy and apply for a sports residency, and her long-term goal is to earn a Ph.D. and return to academia to teach.

"I am really excited for my elective clinical in the new year because I’ll be working with higher functioning patients at an outpatient sports medicine clinic!" Garro said.