From Patient To Person-Centered Practitioner

After physical therapy treatments for a sports injury in high school, Kieran McCormack ’23, DPT ’26 discovered a calling to help others. This experience, coupled with a love of sports and a leaning toward his faith, got him thinking in very specific ways about a career path.

“Scranton’s faith-based focus figured heavily into my decision to come here,” said McCormack. After completing a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology in 2023, he entered the physical therapy program, graduating in May.

In September, McCormack’s ambitions came to fruition as he joined AdventHealth in Orlando, Florida, for a job as a physical therapist before beginning a one-year sports residency in December. McCormack is one of only two accepted into the residency program at AdventHealth, Orlando.

The interview process was rigorous and involved a panel of six staff members from various departments and clinical sites. To prepare for the interview, he leaned into the Scranton community, participating in mock interviews with fellow DPT classmates and learning from faculty who were eager to help.

At Scranton, Michael Crowell, DPT, DSc, associate professor of physical therapy, was particularly helpful, offering advice about residency programs to apply for and how to approach the application. 

McCormack says his background in orthopedics “helped me feel prepared for a clinical residency." 

“I feel like Scranton prepared me to be strong in all fields of physical therapy,” he said. A clinical internship that McCormack completed during his spring semester with the San Francisco Giants in Arizona was “hugely helpful” in gaining relevant experience.

After completing his residency with AdventHealth, McCormack plans to apply to sports teams to work with athletes. 

Meet more Royally accomplished members of the Class of 2026 in the latest issue of The Scranton Journal.