Dr. Madhuri Vaddepati Kasi is the Director of the School of Physiotherapy at GITAM deemed to be a University. She completed her Doctor of Physical Therapy in the year 2015 in the US. Dr. Madhuri holds over twenty years of experience in the healthcare domain, where she started her career working as a Physiotherapist at CARE hospitals at Hyderabad and later as a Physical Therapist at HealthSouth Rehabilitation Institute of Tucson. Later she started the Hyderabad branch office as Director and City Head for India Home Healthcare Pvt Ltd. Furthermore, she worked in managerial positions at Nightingales Home Health Services and Call Health Services Pvt Ltd.

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You held key positions at various healthcare institutions throughout your career. What is something about GITAM that excited you to walk with the institution on the journey?

After comparing the standard of practice and protocols in India to my experience abroad, my quest is to provide high standards of Physiotherapy education in India, coincided with that of the GITAM University President’s Vision for a Global 100 University with a focus on excellence in education and research. The presence of a teaching hospital with world-class amenities made a perfect setting for a new School of Physiotherapy to complete the offering of a medical campus, which is our goal. 

How do you balance the needs of faculty, students, and administration as a Director of Physiotherapy?

I try to balance the needs of faculty, students, and administration by communicating openly and regularly with all. I also keep in mind to be mindful of the different priorities of each group. Rallying the common vision of the school not only helps to unite the team to achieve the common goal but also, makes them passionate and enjoy every aspect of the journey in reaching there. 

As a director of the School of Physiotherapy, what is the USP or what are the differentiating factors that make GITAM stand out from other colleges?

GITAM School of Physiotherapy has many unique factors carefully curated and dedicated to the success of the students in every aspect. Outcome-based curriculum with clear program and course outcomes is designed with the help of experts from top-ranking schools in the US and advisory board members from across the world and across domains such as sports, technology, and leadership. A team of dedicated expert faculty trained in reputed Institutes across the world. Courses on Research and Evidence-based practice are being followed in treating the patients in the clinic and clinical postings, to encourage the culture of research. Furthermore, admission to BPT is through an interview to gauge student interest and aptitude in addition to qualification in the national NEET or University-level GITAM Admission Test (BPT).

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How do you stay current with the latest trends and developments in the field of Physiotherapy, and incorporate them into the curriculum and programs offered by GITAM University?

Faculty and students are encouraged to attend conferences and enroll in Coursera online courses offered by reputed universities across the world. Guest lectures are arranged by experts from all over the world on key topics and developments. The Board of Studies includes external experts from top-ranking institutes in the US to help ensure the latest trends and developments are covered in the curriculum and program offerings.

Can you throw some light on collaborations, and partnerships with top-ranking Universities to leverage opportunities for students?

GITAM School of Physiotherapy has partnered with Elon University, which has been recognized as the top-ranked University in the USA for undergraduate teaching for its focus on innovation and experiential education. Experts from Top ranking Schools of Physiotherapy in the US, the University of Southern California, and the University of Pittsburgh served as external members of the Board of Studies to help design the curriculum. The School of Physiotherapy has also partnered with reputed hospitals for clinical postings.

How would you promote experiential learning and practical application of knowledge within the College?

The GITAM School of Physiotherapy promotes experiential learning through community orientation, sports clinics, clinical visits, or clinical observation or postings which start as early as the first semester. Furthermore, the practical application of knowledge is fostered with clinical observation in Physio OPD within the Medical Campus.

What kind of support and emphasis does GITAM provide of research activities in the School of Physiotherapy?

Students are introduced to the research culture by having courses on research as early as the first semester onward. Faculty and students are encouraged to take advantage of Coursera courses on Research offered by several top universities, including John Hopkins. Faculty Development Programs are frequently made available by various institutes within the university. The library at GITAM School of Physiotherapy, another library at GIMSR hospital and the university knowledge resource center also offers free access to several digital and hardcopy journals to both students and faculty. GSPT’s emphasis on evidence-based practice requires faculty to refer to case studies in their teaching methods.