Welcome Dr. Samantha Sawade

The Programs in Physical Therapy is excited to welcome Samantha Sawade, PT, DPT, Board Certified Pediatric Clinical Specialist to our team. Dr. Sawade didn't start her career with the desire to be a physical therapist. She was planning to go the route of pursuing music therapy or journalism. Ultimately, her love for teaching kids to dance was what led her to becoming a physical therapist. Dr. Sawade received her bachelor's degree in exercise and wellness at Arizona State University. After receiving her degree, she came to Columbia to attend Physical Therapy school. She immediately knew that she wanted to work in pediatrics because of her previous work involving children. The Columbia University Programs in Physical Therapy was her first choice because of our pediatric curriculum. She was very involved in our pediatrics track as well as our service-learning opportunities. It should come as no surprise that her advanced track seminar while at Columbia was Pediatrics. During Samantha's time here she completed a clinical education experience at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and did a rotation at the New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital. After she graduated, she began working per diem at New York Presbyterian, rotating from adult acute care, adult inpatient rehab, cardiopulmonary and pediatrics.

With a strong affinity for pediatrics, Dr. Sawade chose to complete a pediatric Physical Therapy residency at the University of Colorado and the Children's Hospital of Colorado. During her residency she developed a passion for accessibility and inclusion while performing her Leadership and Education in Neurodevelopment Disabilities (LEND) fellowship. The program is dedicated to improving the systems of care for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities and chronic health conditions. Following her residency, Dr. Sawade moved back to New York and worked at the Hospital for Special Surgery in the Pediatric Rehab Department. While working with young athletes, she propelled her research in the area of adapted and inclusive sports for children with disabilities.

Dr. Sawade maintained a strong connection with the Programs in Physical Therapy, even while working at the Hospital for Special Surgery, serving as an adjunct lecturer. When a faculty opening occurred, Dr. Sawade immediately jumped at the opportunity. Dr. Sawade wanted to be here because she saw that we are always looking for ways to change, improve and push to the next level of education and patient care. These are the cornerstones of Columbia and The Programs in Physical Therapy.

How does Dr. Sawade plan on leaving her stamp on our program? She has a few ideas, but one concrete goal is for Columbia to have a Pediatric Physical Therapy residency. It is very important to her, especially as there are no pediatric residencies in New York State. She hopes we can be the first. Dr. Sawade's other aim is to help share the importance of advocating for patients and children to get access to the world. This is especially significant for children with disabilities. It's her hope to bring this to the curriculum.

Her advice to students is that a big part of what you're going into is to accept that you don't have to know everything right away. Your education is the starting point and you don't have to end PT school knowing exactly the kind of practitioner you're going to be. When she first began PT school, Dr. Sawade had an idea of what a PT should be, and all the things that she wanted to help children with. She quickly realized that you are here to assist your patient with their needs.

Dr. Sawade has several hobbies and interests but most of them are in the arts. She likes to try everything from boxing, painting, to most recently wood burning art. Dr. Sawade always likes to have a creative outlet. She is a constant wanderer and likes to roam around and explore the city. Welcome Dr. Sawade!