USD’s Jed Droge Receives Physical Therapy Innovation Award
The ACAPT Innovation Award honors a physical therapist who has shown innovation in the delivery of educational content, making a significant impact in learning opportunities for students.
Becca Jordre, DPT, professor in the Department of Physical Therapy, nominated Droge for the award because his approach to teaching generates new ideas and opportunities for both students and faculty.
“His ideas consistently enhance student learning, guide a shift in faculty thinking and improve morale around the department,” said Jordre. “As a faculty member of 18 years, I have found Dr. Droge’s engagement in our department to be a refreshing catalyst for innovation and change for the better. Our entire faculty is more willing to experiment, share and try new things.”
For Droge, who earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 2010 and joined USD as a physical therapy faculty member in 2022, innovation is about creating meaningful, hands-on learning experiences that prepare students for clinical practice.
“Innovation can help educators better meet the needs of different students through active, authentic engagement with course content,” Droge said. “At USD’s Department of Physical Therapy, innovation has allowed us to create new, high-impact opportunities for students to practice clinical reasoning, communication and application of knowledge while receiving meaningful feedback. One of the most rewarding outcomes is hearing from our clinical instructors about how well prepared our students are when they enter the clinic.”
While the award recognizes his achievements, Droge said the award represents a culture in which faculty work together to continually strengthen the student learning experience.
“Receiving this award is incredibly meaningful,” said Droge. “I have benefited tremendously from my colleagues’ experience, perspective and wisdom, and I see this recognition as a reflection of that collaborative culture.”
You May Also Like
USD SSOM Expands FARM Program to Three More Locations, Welcoming Four Additional Students
The University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine (SSOM) has announced plans to expand its successful Frontier And Rural Medicine (FARM) program, creating opportunities to accommodate more students across additional locations.
USD School of Health Sciences Announces Newest PACE-i Scholars
The University of South Dakota’s School of Health Sciences has announced its most recent cohort of nine PACE-i scholars.
USD Receives NIH Grant to Expand Graduate Research Training
The University of South Dakota has received a $2.63 million, five-year grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to establish the Scientific Excellence and Experiential Development for Scholars (SEEDS) program, a doctoral training program designed to prepare students for various career opportunities available in the biomedical sciences.
