The Department of Physical Therapy at Sahmyook University celebrated its 30th anniversary.

The Department of Physical Therapy at Sahmyook University held the ’30th Anniversary Ceremony’ at John Building, Hong Myeong-ki Hall, on the 20th.

About 200 people, including professors, current students, and alums, attended the event, including President Kim Il-mok of Sahmyook University, Lee Geun-hee, president of the Korean Association of Physical Therapists, and Dong-jin Lee, president of the Society for Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science.

The Department of Physiotherapy at Sahmyook University is considered the best physical therapy department in Korea. It started as the Department of Rehabilitation Therapy in October 1991 and was renamed the Department of Physical Therapy in March 2000. It opened a master’s program in 1999 and a doctorate program the following year to train professionals who will lead the physical therapy world.

Starting with 36 graduates from the first class in February 1996, it has produced 959 bachelor’s, 449 master’s, and 101 doctoral students. There are about 30 alum professors who are active in Korea and abroad. In addition, doctors, physical therapists, public health officials, etc., are working hard on public health in various medical fields.

In 2011, Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science (PTRS) was established. ‘PTRS’ was published as a registered journal with the National Research Foundation of Korea, contributing to physical therapy research and academic development.

In addition, in order to realize the ideal of human resources as ‘honest, educated people based on Christian values, creative experts with major and practical skills, and volunteers of love and service in the global society,’ professors and students have volunteered in Korea and abroad every year since the establishment of the department.

At the ceremony, Dean Jeong Yi-jeong said, “Sahmyook University’s Department of Physical Therapy has produced excellent physical therapy professionals and contributed greatly to the development of the Korean physical therapy field through advanced curriculum and professional associations over the past 30 years. I sincerely thank the university and all alumni who gave active support and encouragement to the Department of Physical Therapy so we can be where we are now.”

President Kim Il-mok said, “The dedication of the professors, the passion of the students, and the active performance of the talented alumni interacted to create a virtuous cycle of development of the department. The mission of Sahmyook University is not simply to produce professionals but to nurture talents who heal sick bodies and minds and restore the darkened world. Please continue to take the lead in accomplishing this mission.”

Meanwhile, the Department of Physical Therapy is launching a campaign to raise funds for departmental development in celebration of the 30th anniversary of its establishment. To date, all professors and alums of the department have participated and raised a total of 158 million won. The Department of Physical Therapy plans to use this fund to build a simulation room and use it for other development projects.