While he only graduated five years ago, Dave Smith, DPT ’16, has already made valuable contributions to the George Washington (GW) Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) program, the community, and his patients. In spring 2021, he received the Outstanding Alumni Award, presented annually to an individual that embodies the mission and vision of the GW DPT program.
Smith first became interested in physical therapy after suffering a high school football injury. When asked why he chose GW’s DPT program, he said that the main draw to the program was the faculty. “Everyone invests so much in the program. You really get a good sense of that during interviews and as a student,” he said. Now, as an adjunct faculty member, he truly understands the commitment to the students. Smith fondly recalled how faculty members got emotional during his graduation ceremony. “They truly care about their students,” he said.
After graduating from GW, Smith, a board-certified orthopaedic specialist, moved to Memphis for work, but a year later the Virginia native returned home to be closer to his family and friends. Currently, he’s on staff at OrthoVirginia and Movement X, treating patients with orthopaedic conditions, and he aims to further his clinical education by pursuing a fellowship.
Smith also developed a passion for teaching. As an American Physical Therapy Association credentialed clinical instructor, Smith mentors several students each year during their clinical experiences. Smith put those mentoring skills to good use during the pandemic, helping some GW students with their integrated clinical experiences. He volunteered additional time to take these students under his wing so they could finish out their clinical rotations.
In addition to instructing students in the clinic, Smith also teaches in the classroom. For the third consecutive year, Smith is teaching the medical imaging course at GW alongside Matthew Garber, ScD, PT, OCS, FAAOMPT, associate professor of health, human function, and rehabilitation sciences. Smith aims to continue teaching and hopes to expand to other courses in the future.
In addition to working and teaching, Smith has been instrumental in helping GW’s pro bono clinic, Little Workers of the Sacred Heart. As a student, Smith volunteered at the clinic, seizing the opportunity to get hands-on experience treating patients under the guidance of professors and alumni. Now, as a licensed PT, Smith continues to serve the community. When the pandemic began, Smith jumped into action helping Holly Jonely, ScD, PT, associate director of the PT program, co-academic director of the PT orthopaedic residency program, and assistant professor of health, human function, and rehabilitation sciences, run the pro bono clinic. “It was a challenging time but incredibly rewarding,” recalled Smith. “Giving back to the community is something that the GW DPT program is great at, and I’m happy that I can carry on that tradition.”