Dr. Greg Ernst

Dr. Greg Ernst, Ph.D., PT, assistant professor, Department of Physical Therapy, started teaching as a clinical instructor to physical therapy students. Ernst enjoyed teaching skills to physical therapy interns in his clinic.

“I loved being a mentor to students and challenging them in the clinical setting,” Ernst recalled. “The next step was teaching in a PT curriculum.”

The idea that students under his tutelage will be responsible for making patients' lives better is what inspires Ernst, who received a Presidential Teaching Excellence Award in 2015.

“Each student is unique,” he explained. ”They catch on in different ways and at different times. I enjoy being a part of that development. I like to generate enthusiasm for learning. I want students to be excited about coming to class; I want them to sit on the edge of their seats.”

Ernst uses case studies to help students put the pieces together. There is something that can be learned from every patient.

“We cannot teach the students everything as every patient presents differently," he explained.  “I really try to get the students to understand the biomechanics behind the movement dysfunction, then they will be able to critically think to solve the patient’s problem."