USDs Physical Therapy department names Dr Patti Berg-Poppe as Chair
Dr. Berg-Poppe joined USD in 2006 as a faculty member within the physical therapy department. She serves in leadership roles at national and state levels, including as the South Dakota chapter representative for the American Physical Therapy Association’s (APTA) House of Delegates, and on the Item Writing Task Force for the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy.
Dr. Berg-Poppe has also served the South Dakota Special Olympics for more than 10 years. She describes her most meaningful service as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for Children.
Dr. Berg-Poppe earned a Masters in Physical Therapy (MPT) degree from the University of Iowa in 2001, and completed her Ph.D. in Counseling and Psychology in Education from the University of South Dakota in 2014. She also earned an MA in English Language and Literature from the University of Kentucky. Her undergraduate degree is from Augustana University. Dr. Berg-Poppe has worked in multiple pediatric care settings including hospitals, ambulatory clinics, schools, homes, and aquatic practice environments as a Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist.
USD’s Physical Therapy department offers a doctorate degree in physical therapy. The program prepares scholars and practitioners, and boasts a 100 percent job placement.
