Derek L. White, PT, MHS, MTC, a physical therapy director for Concentra in Charleston, South Carolina, was recently selected as the 2008 Clinical Instructor of the Year by the Medical University of South Carolina Physical Therapy Education Program

This award is based on student nominations of 14 clinical instructors who demonstrated an extraordinary level of clinical instruction and expertise in clinical practice. Formal recognition and certificate presentation for this award took place during the Carolinas Clinical Education Consortium Conference, March 13-14, in Greenville, S.C.

According to Mike Rhine, PT, DPT, Concentra’s national coordinator of clinical education, “Physical therapy students’ clinical education experience is the best opportunity to apply their classroom knowledge to patient care and develop their clinical skills. The students learn not only how to apply their knowledge to patient care and outcomes, but also how to become professionals and leaders in the physical therapy community.” Concentra Physical Therapy affiliates with more than 175 universities and influences the professional development of approximately 200 students a year.

Representatives from several universities have commented on the effectiveness of the Concentra Physical Therapy clinical education experience:

“When internship offers are made available to our students, the Concentra rotations are always highly sought. This is due to their reputation for providing clinical instructors who provide timely and effective patient care and are enthusiastic teachers! Additionally, the Concentra practice model affords interns the opportunity to learn and collaborate in a best practice primary care model where individuals who have acute injuries are treated on the day that they are injured.”
– Corrie Odom, PT, DPT, ATC - Director of Clinical Education, Duke University

“Our Physical Therapy Program has affiliated with Concentra Medical Centers since 1996. Since this time, we have placed over 250 students in various Concentra Sites throughout the country. Regardless of where we place them, one thing is always certain: that our students will receive in excellent, evidence-based clinical internship experience tailored to their individual needs and where they are in their curriculum.”
– Laurie Kontney, PT, DPT, MS - Director of Clinical Education, Marquette University

Mr. White is a graduate of the Medical University of South Carolina. In addition to serving as center therapy director for one of Concentra’s two Charleston locations, he is the center coordinator of clinical education for Concentra’s southeastern zone. An active member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and its South Carolina chapter, he maintains a special interest in orthopedics and manual therapy.

For more information about Concentra Physical Therapy and how its innovative techniques and advanced methods are changing the face of physical therapy, visit ConcentraPhysicalTherapy.com.