Mark DeGarmo ’93, ’04 chose Shenandoah University because, from the very start, the Division of Physical Therapy has had the top practicing physical therapists on its faculty and the university has always been focused on the student and their needs.
“Shenandoah University was and always will be a special place for me for many reasons, not just for obtaining my degrees here, but for the continued focus on the needs of the student and personal attention all the students receive,” said DeGarmo.
DeGarmo’s fondest memory of the university is being in the first graduating class of the Division of Physical Therapy. Though it did present some challenges, he says it was fun to figure things out as they went and make true friendships.
DeGarmo is a clinical director and physical therapist for Island Physical Therapy in Summerville, South Carolina. During his career, he has had many opportunities to work in a variety of settings with a broad range of patients, who have various medical impairments.
The most rewarding part of DeGarmo’s career is simply being able to help someone return to their normal life and activities, “whether that is someone returning back to work, returning back to sports or even being to go up and down a flight of stairs,” said DeGarmo. “For many years, I oversaw a diabetic foot/wound care clinic and it was very rewarding to see a patient being able to wear shoes again and walk after being able to assist them with their diabetic foot complications.”
DeGarmo’s Shenandoah education gave him a firm foundation to start his practice. When he returned to Shenandoah to earn his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, this further enhanced his skills and knowledge on how to better treat his patients.
Since graduating, he has been a part of several oversees physical therapy mission trips and continues his practice in several specialized areas. In his free time, DeGarmo likes to volunteer with his local church and library.
DeGarmo’s advice to students is: “You must not get too overwhelmed with all the courses, new information, etc. Simply continue to focus on the current subjects – it will all come together in the end. ”