{"id":12410,"date":"2025-05-02T17:00:59","date_gmt":"2025-05-02T21:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.essex.edu\/?post_type=news&p=12410"},"modified":"2025-05-08T12:46:06","modified_gmt":"2025-05-08T16:46:06","slug":"essex-county-college-celebrates-physical-therapist-assistant-class-of-2025","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.essex.edu\/news\/essex-county-college-celebrates-physical-therapist-assistant-class-of-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Essex County College Celebrates Physical Therapist Assistant Class of 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"
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NEWARK, N.J.<\/strong>–  Essex County College celebrated the graduates of its Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program during a pinning ceremony held Thursday, May 1, at the Newark campus. The milestone event marked the students\u2019 transition from learners to health care professionals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twenty-one students were honored for their academic achievements and were pinned by their instructors, family and loved ones. Vice President of Academic Affairs and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Hamin Shabazz offered warm remarks to America\u2019s future healers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt takes a very, very special person to care for someone who is sick and needs help. You have been chosen,\u201d said Dr. Shabazz. \u201cKeep going. Don\u2019t let this be a stopping point for you. Go as far as you can go.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A statement prepared by Dr. Lori York, chairperson of the Division of Nursing & Allied Health, was also shared with graduates and their guests in Smith Hall. The letter, read by physical therapy instructor and master of ceremonies Dr. Thomas Donofrio, offered words of encouragement.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\u201cYou are now ready to step into a rewarding profession that makes a real difference in people\u2019s lives,\u201d Dr. York wrote. \u201cThis achievement is a testament to your compassion, clinical skills and commitment to patient care.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Christine Stutz-Dolye, PTA program coordinator, echoed similar sentiments, while highlighting the caliber of work graduates poured into the program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis pin represents more than a completion of coursework, lab hours and clinical rotations,\u201d said Dr. Stutz-Doyle. \u201cIt represents their resilience and dedication to serve. It\u2019s been an honor to witness your academic achievements. We are incredibly proud you\u2019ve earned this moment. As you step into this new chapter in life, know that your work will matter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additional speakers included ECC PTA alumna Brianna Hughes (Class of 2021), and Dr. Robert Ruffalo, a guest lecturer, continuing education instructor and owner\/director of A T.E.A.M. Approach Physical Therapy Center. Dr. Ruffalo urged graduates to remain engaged and informed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPractice, practice, practice,\u201d he said. \u201cWe must be committed to constant learning\u2014for our patients and for ourselves. This is not your finish line. It\u2019s your new starting line.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

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ECC\u2019s Physical Therapist Assistant program is an accredited, two-year, five-semester course of study featuring intensive classroom instruction and hands-on experience in all aspects of physical therapy. Students work closely with patients and other health care professionals. Admission to the program is highly competitive and merit-based.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PTA Class President Wady N. Mercado Garcia (Class of 2025) acknowledged both the graduates and ECC\u2019s dedicated faculty during the event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you to our professors, they really worked hard making sure we are prepared for the boards,\u201d said Garcia. \u201cThis school ended up being my second home. I had to come here to study, even on my days off. Thank you to my classmates. It\u2019s been an honor. If I had to do it again, I\u2019d do it again with you guys. This isn\u2019t the end of the book\u2013 it\u2019s the start of a new chapter. Today we graduate as PTAs, and in a few months, when we\u2019re licensed, we\u2019ll be changing the world for the better.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking ahead, graduate Sara Ford reflected on her time in the program. A mother of two and former civil engineering site designer, Ford made a mid-career switch by enrolling at ECC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is my second career\u2014it\u2019s exciting and full of emotion,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On why she chose ECC, Ford explained:<\/p>\n\n\n

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\u201cIt\u2019s highly rated, and my county doesn\u2019t offer this program. I was grateful there was a school close enough that I could attend. The teachers actually inspired me throughout my time here. We\u2019ve developed friendships with them. They were definitely hard on you that first year, making sure you\u2019re the cream of the crop\u2014people who really want to do this as a career. But then, they really inspired me personally, and I think that will hold a special place in my heart here at ECC. I look forward to inspiring others and building relationships with my patients\u2014hopefully making an impact on their quality of life for years to come.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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