UND Department of Physical Therapy sends students off to clinical placements, awards scholarships
GRAND FORKS, N.D. - Next week, 52 UND physical therapy students, members of the UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences (SMHS) Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Class of 2028, begin the clinical portion of their training to become professional physical therapists.
As part of their transition from classroom to clinical training, the new professional program students received their white coats at the Department of Physical Therapy Entrance Into Professional Service Ceremony on Thursday, June 11, at UND’s Memorial Union.
UND’s six-year DPT curriculum consists of three years of “pre-physical therapy” education, which takes place primarily in the classroom on the UND campus, and three years of professional training, which takes place at more than 300 clinical sites in North Dakota and across the U.S. This latter training melds academic information with hands-on clinical experiences that help students master physical therapy methods and procedures in a variety of settings under the direction and supervision of one or more clinical instructors.
“Our professional students are taking an important step from the classroom into the clinical environment, where they will begin transforming their knowledge into compassionate, patient-centered care,” said Cindy Flom-Meland, P.T., M.P.T., Ph.D., professor and chair of physical therapy at UND. “As they embark on their first clinical education experience, they carry with them the values of professionalism, lifelong learning, and service that define our profession. They will learn from patients, clinical instructors, and real-world experiences that will deepen their skills and strengthen their purpose.”
The UND DPT Class of 2028 students and their hometowns include the following:
- Emily Ament, Jamestown, N.D.
- Brooke Anderson, Alexandria, Minn.
- Addison Bakke, Newfolden, Minn.
- Justus Bradford-Boos, Bismarck, N.D.
- Kayla Britsch, Devils Lake, N.D.
- Kenzie Carlson, Jamestown, N.D.
- Noah Christensen, West Fargo, N.D.
- Dalton Demers, Fargo, N.D.
- Gavin Enright, Buffalo, Minn.
- Daniel Erlandson, Breckenridge, Minn.
- Lisa Erwin, Drake, Minn.
- Avery Falcon, Minot, N.D.
- Megan Gerhardt, St. Paul, Minn.
- Kayla Gibson, Leonard, N.D.
- Rian Gibson, New Prague, Minn.
- Emma Gillespie, Lisbon, N.D.
- Janae Graf, Fargo, N.D.
- Michael Grensteiner, Fargo, N.D.
- Alexander Hagenson, Fargo, N.D.
- Hanson Logan, Fargo, N.D.
- Callie Hase, Linton, N.D.
- Elijah Heinrich, Kindred, N.D.
- Lucas Hendrickson, Carrington, N.D.
- Raelynn Hennen, Richmond, Minn.
- Megan Johnson, Fargo, N.D.
- Jordyn Kahler, Wahpeton, N.D.
- Jera Kavaloski, Jamestown, N.D.
- Brooke Kolstoe, Glenwood, Minn.
- Olivia Krafty, Bottineau, N.D.
- Jared Loing, Rolla, N.D.
- Adelynn Lura, Fargo, N.D.
- Avah Marion, Belcourt, N.D.
- Drew Marsden, Bottineau, N.D.
- Isaac Massmann, Cold Spring, Minn.
- Hannah Mcintyre, Bismarck N.D.
- Nathanial McKegney, Caramel, Calif.
- Jaxon Meyer, Williston, N.D.
- Kaleb Mills, Bismarck, N.D.
- Kaely Moran, West Fargo, N.D.
- Emily Olson, Shakopee, Minn.
- Jaxon Paul, Fargo, N.D.
- Julianna Peters, Sioux Falls, S.D.
- Brent Riddle, San Clemente, Calif.
- Kelly Stowell, Riverton, Wyo.
- Benett Street, Revillo, S.D.
- Breanna Triplett, Fargo, N.D.
- Kaitlyn Ubben, Minneapolis, Minn.
- Sienna Weigel, Minot, N.D.
- Connor Welsh, Thompson, N.D.
- Chloe Wetch, Valley City, N.D.
- Meghan Wirtz, Nisswa, Minn.
- Zachariah Zesch, Minneapolis, Minn.
Also this week, UND’s physical therapy program named more than two dozen second-year professional program students who will be awarded scholarships for the 2026-27 academic year. Academic, leadership, and service awards given by the Department on behalf of the UND Alumni Association & Foundation and its many donors include:
Henry C. “Bud” Wessman Scholarship
Anna Bushfield, Sioux Falls, S.D.
Ailynn Fettig, Alexandria, Minn.
Jodi and Scott Boettner Scholarship
Emily Fuchs, Fargo, N.D.
Megan Smith, Isanti, Minn.
David and Donna Severson Scholarship
Isabella Brand, Anoka, Minn.
Kaylee Dagenais, Hitterdal, Minn.
Karl F. Stadem Memorial Scholarship
Emma Bjerke, Fargo, N.D.
Marilyn Horner Rose Memorial Schol.
Isabelle Boyer, Elgin, N.D.
Stoney Gessner Memorial Scholarship
Emmalia Frei, Hazen, N.D.
Arnie Keck Memorial Scholarship
Janae Weigel, Kintyre, N.D.
Clarence O. Blecha Memorial Scholarship
Jenna Vasek, Fisher, Minn.
Virginia “Ginger” Cole Scholarship
Devon Day, Princeton, Minn.
Madison Effertz, Fargo, N.D.
Hope Goebel, Paynesville, Minn.
Vichayut Suppermstien, Bangkok, Thailand
Wesley Hoffman Memorial Scholarship
Brenna Barnick, Fargo, N.D.
Jocelyn Julson, Bismarck, N.D.
Elizabeth Reinert, St. Cloud, Minn.
Sophie Wedar, Minot, N.D.
Richard Ekstrom PT Scholarship
Meaghan Macho, Pine City, Minn.
Remington Schatz, Dickinson, N.D.
PT Scholarship for Future Neurologic Providers
Gracie Cole, Larimore, N.D.
Ellenya Urzedowski, Lester Prairie, Minn.
50th Anniversary Scholarship
Alexis Cota, St. Hilaire, Minn.
Jill and Jeff Berg PT Scholarship
Madison Gould, Maple Grove, Minn.
Rita Gratton Slama Scholarship
Neeleigh Wollenzien, Towner, N.D
“We are grateful for the tremendous support from our alumni, friends, and the UND Alumni Association & Foundation,” said David Relling, P.T., Ph.D., senior associate dean for health sciences at SMHS. “These scholarships address the substantial financial needs students face as they complete their professional education. The scholarships acknowledge the academic accomplishments and service contributions of these very deserving future physical therapists.”
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Brian James Schill
Director, Office of Alumni & Community Relations
UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences
701.777.6048 direct | 701.777.4305 office
brian.schill@UND.edu | www.und.edu