Student Perspective FOX Rehab

Radford Student Perspectives of FOX Rehabilitation

Current Radford University Carilion (RUC) Doctor of Physical Therapy students Madison Ernstes (Class of 2023) and Isabela Melendez-Clark (Class of 2023) recently completed their clinical education experience with FOX Rehabilitation during the summer of 2022. Both Madison and Isabela were assisted by Dr. Joe Cifaloglio, PT, DPT, GCS, the Clinical Practice Leader of University Relations and Site Coordinator of Clinical Education for FOX Rehab, in their clinical placements. Dr. Cifaloglio was recently named as our program’s “Site Coordinator of Clinical Education of the Year” for 2022.

Madison engaged in practice under the direct supervision of her Clinical Instructor (CI) in the Richmond area of Virginia. Madison reported that she had great experiences with her CI; her CI challenged her to grow in her clinical knowledge by thinking outside the box for each patient. “I also absolutely loved my CI. She was encouraging and supportive while still pushing me to think outside the box with each patient and not fall into a ‘cookie-cutter’ treatment. Overall, my experience with FOX Rehab was incredibly, overwhelmingly positive, and I would recommend this site to anyone,” said Madison.

Isabela also had a clinical education experience with FOX Rehab in the greater Richmond area last summer, with a different CI and patient caseload. Her experience with FOX Rehab sparked a new passion for working with the geriatric population. “My clinical experience with FOX stood out for how welcoming the environment was toward students, and Dr. Cifaloglio is a large reason why it felt so welcoming,” said Isabela.

Dr. Cifaloglio also reached out to both students during this time to check in and make sure their experiences were going well and to answer any questions. Isabela was also assisted by Dr. Cifaloglio, who connected her with a Clinical Career Specialist that helped her to land her first job with FOX Rehab which will be waiting for her after graduation in May.

Both Madison and Isabela had nothing but great things to say about their FOX Rehab clinical sites and highly recommend students consider clinical education experiences with FOX Rehab. Many of our students have listened to their peers by applying for summer 2023 clinical education experiences in Virginia, Minnesota, and Florida.

FOX Rehab currently operates in 27 states providing outpatient physical therapy in the home, and within senior living facilities. For more information about FOX Rehab, please access: https://www.foxrehab.org/

Interview conducted by Ben Harris, RUC DPT Class of ‘25