The Wexner Medical Center at The Ohio State University is pleased to provide opportunities for students applying to Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy programs that require observation hours as part of the application process. This program is not to determine career interest, but to fulfill a specific application requirement. It is the student's obligation to know their program's requirements and to obtain the documentation form(s) the program requires prior to the start of observation hours. We can accommodate a limited number of students; therefore, we encourage students to begin the observation process at least six months in advance of their application date.
Listed below are the sites at Ohio State's Wexner Medical Center that provide observation opportunities and the contact person. You can only have one observation placement at a time. Please do not call or e-mail all departments at once.
To begin the process, contact the site that is your first choice and wait for a response. Be prepared to provide the contact with information on the program you're applying to, your availability and time frame, and your contact information. Since many of these contacts are therapists, they may often be away from their desks with patients. Please allow a minimum of 48-72 hours for a response. If your first choice cannot accept you, then contact your next choice.
Acute Care Rehabilitation (**LOCATION CURRENTLY FULL): Located on main campus. Serving inpatients in Ohio State University Hospital, Ohio State's Ross Heart Hospital and Ohio State's Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute. Observation hours are limited to Monday thru Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.; no weekends.
PT: Andy Dawson, 614-293-8492, andy.dawson@osumc.edu
OT: Kristin Fries, 614-293-8492, kristin.fries@osumc.edu
Dodd Hall Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation (**LOCATION CURRENTLY FULL): Dodd Hall Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation specializes in TBI, SCI, Stroke and other neurological disorders. Observation hours are limited to Monday thru Friday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.; no weekends.
Todd Blind, 614-293-9883
Outpatient Rehabilitation at Ohio State's Martha Morehouse Medical Plaza (**LOCATION CURRENTLY FULL): Located on the 2nd floor of the Pavilion at Martha Morehouse Medical Plaza, 2050 Kenny Road. Outpatient Rehab specializes in orthopedic rehabilitation, SCI, TBI and Stroke. Services in include: speech therapy, physical therapy, driving rehabilitation and social work. No weekend observation hours. Susan Idicula, susan.idicula@osumc.edu
OSU Comprehensive Spine Center at CarePoint East: Located at 543 Taylor Avenue at I-670, the Spine Center specializes in a multidisciplinary approach to outpatient treatment of orthopedic spinal conditions. Hours for Physical Therapy observation are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; no weekends. Please contact Jennifer Belu at 614-293-0780 or jennifer.belu@osumc.edu.
OSU Sports Medicine (**LOCATION CURRENTLY FULL): Physical therapy clinics emphasizing sports medicine and outpatient orthopedic rehabilitation. Seven sites provide opportunities for PT observation. Contact the clinic directly for availability.
CarePoint at Gahanna: Lori Deshetler, (lori.deshetler@osumc.edu)
Grove City: Brianne Rice, 614-293-1068
Hilliard: Adam Gerkin, 614-293-6384
Martha Morehouse Medical Plaza (near OSU Campus): Robin Dobler, (robin.dobler@osumc.edu)
Carepoint at Lewis Center: Daren Lynch, 614-293-1008
Stoneridge (Dublin): Lois De Temple, 614-366-9324 (lois.detemple@osumc.edu)
Capital University: Kristin Holbrook, (kristen.holbrook@osumc.edu)
OSU Student Health Services - Sports Medicine Department: Located at 1875 Millikin Road, next to RPAC facility on campus. Sports medicine and orthopedic case load.
Pam Bork, 614-292-0130
Ohio State's University Hospital East (**LOCATION CURRENTLY FULL): Located on East Broad Street and Taylor Avenue on the east side of Columbus. University Hospital East has both inpatient and outpatient therapy departments. Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy observation opportunities available. Hours vary.
OT: Narendra Thekdi, narendra.thekdi@osumc.edu
Speech: Julie Grilli, julie.grilli@osumc.edu