Physical therapy student receives DEI award from state association
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Mani Veerappan, a second year student in the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at Western Michigan University, has received the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award from the American Physical Therapy Association of Michigan. The association presented the award, along with its $2,500 cash award, at its fall conference, which was held at Boyne Mountain Resort.
Veerappan was unable to attend the event and did not receive his award in person. Dr. Betty Dennis, director of the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for the College of Health and Human Services, and Dean Ron Cisler held a private meeting to congratulate Veerappan on the award and to present him with a certificate of celebration on behalf of the college. Dr. Amy Heath, DPT program director, and Dr. Rodney Weir, assistant professor, represented the department at the meeting.
Veerappan grew up on the east side of the state in a family that put great value on participating in the community. Along with his family, he regularly volunteered at food pantries, religious and other organizations. During his undergraduate studies, he volunteered with Global Brigades, working on projects in Panama.
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, while he was waiting to start PT school, Veerappan's grandmother had a stroke. "We had problems getting care to her, so I wound up acting as her PT and my mom was her nurse," he says. "In the moment, that didn't feel like a big deal, but now I see how much I really did help her and how great it was to have those skills."
His professional attitude about being forced into that kind of service for his family, along with his background of community service shine through in the essay.
"Mani is exactly the type of student that APTA-MI hopes to recognize with this award," says Weir. "When I got the chance to read his essay, I thought his narrative about being a first-generation college student was particularly impactful."
Passionate and outspoken on DEI-related issues, Veerappan chose Western, in part, because of the diversity he saw here in the physical therapy program. "I met Dr. Yvonne Jackson (assistant professor of physical therapy) during the admissions process and she made quite an impression with me," he says. "And even now I appreciate diversity in the students. I have good friends in the program who are from China and Zimbabwe."
"The profession is about 80/20 right now as far as diversity, but it’s moving in the right direction. And I see the same thing here at WMU," he adds.
Heath reiterates that this award reflects the growing focus on diversity in the field of physical therapy. "Accreditation standards are being revised to include new language about diversity, equity and inclusion," she says. "From a faculty perspective at WMU, we've been talking about what we can do better. We've changed our admissions processes to reflect that DEI is a priority for our program; it's a priority for our profession."
Several additional members of the WMU DPT community were honored at the APTA-MI fall conference. In addition to Veerappan's award, Weir received the APTA MI President’s award for his service to the organization, Denzel Henderson received the TEAM Rehab Student Physical Therapist Scholarship, and Will Dumochelle won the Outstanding PT Student Award.
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