Giving Opportunities

The high cost of entry-level physical therapy education, combined with income disparities in the field, places a significant financial burden on new graduates. The Programs in Physical Therapy Student Scholarship Fund supports scholarships and non-tuition financial aid to students enrolled in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program.

The Martha Sliwinski Physical Therapy Student Service Fund supports student clinical and educational service-learning activities in the community and abroad. Such activities may include, but not be limited to, physical therapy services in the pro-bono care clinic; educational programs to Washington Heights elementary schools; and physical therapy services to underserved individuals in the community and abroad. 

The DPT Student Research Fund provides support for research and related activities for students in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program. This support may include, but is not limited to: research supplies, statistical analysis services, data management, and registration fees for national conferences where students present accepted research. 

An Endowment for the Programs in Physical Therapy is a powerful way to make a lasting contribution. Endowment gifts provide permanent funding that supports the Program’s mission today and for generations to come. Your endowed gift can be directed to the area that matters most to you, whether that’s advancing entry-level education, strengthening the post-professional Orthopedic Residency or Performing Arts Fellowship, or supporting innovation and excellence within the Physical Therapy Faculty Practice. By establishing or contributing to an endowed fund, you help ensure sustained excellence in physical therapy education, clinical care, and professional development. Your support allows the Program to remain at the forefront of the field: adapting, innovating, and leading. Make your mark. Leave a legacy. Empower the next generation of physical therapists. 

Current funding requirements of the University for an Endowment is a minimum of $100,000. If you are interested in supporting an endowment, please contact Faye Farese, Director of Development, Alumni and Major Gifts, at 917-576-8725 or at ff2102@cumc.columbia.edu. 

An endowed chair provides support and prestige, in perpetuity, for distinguished faculty. Endowments allow the faculty to be more productive in activities such as promoting the program, writing papers and texts, and leveraging research support from the National Institute of Health (NIH) and other agencies. Endowed chairs are attractive naming opportunities for donors.

Current funding requirements of the University for Endowed Chairs are $2.5 million for a Professorship, $1.5 million for an Associate Professorship, and $1.5 million for an Assistant Professorship. If you are interested in supporting an endowment, please contact Faye Farese, Director of Development, Alumni and Major Gifts, at 917-576-8725 or at ff2102@cumc.columbia.edu. 

An endowed lectureship provides lasting support, enhancing the academic prestige of the Columbia Doctor of Physical Therapy Program in perpetuity. Established in honor of an individual—such as a trailblazer in physical therapy education, research, clinical care, a dedicated philanthropist, a grateful patient, or someone who has made a meaningful impact on others—this lectureship serves as a tribute to their legacy. It supports an annual or biannual event that may align with the program’s alumni gatherings, offering a platform to share knowledge, celebrate shared values, and foster meaningful connections among students, faculty, and alumni.

Current funding requirements of the University for Endowed Lectureship is $100,000. If you are interested in supporting an endowment, please contact Faye Farese, Director of Development, Alumni and Major Gifts, at 917-576-8725 or at ff2102@cumc.columbia.edu.