Baylor University’s Department of Physical Therapy Presents Doctor of Physical Therapy Outstanding Clinical Instructor Award

“Clinical rotations are where the real fun happens in this program,” recent Baylor University graduate Emily Lapes, DPT, recalled. “They allowed me to put into practice all the knowledge I gained over the first year of PT school. Rotations provided a chance for me to learn, grow, and make mistakes while having someone present to help catch those mistakes before they had any real negative impact. The amount of knowledge, experience, and confidence I gained has built the best launching point into an independent career while allowing me to build lifelong connections and mentors.”

These clinical rotations are managed in Baylor’s partnership with clinical instructors (CI) at physical therapy settings around the country. CIs serve as clinician faculty in the practice settings in which they work. For example, students can apprentice at hospitals, outpatient clinics, and rehabilitation centers, along with many more locations. All students are required to participate in three clinical rotations, directly alongside a CI, gaining invaluable hands-on experience while interacting with real patients. 

In December 2023, Baylor’s Department of Physical Therapy presented its annual Doctor of Physical Therapy Outstanding Clinical Instructor Award to Stephanie Crownover, PT, MSPT. The award recognizes her “selfless service and commitment to excellence as a mentor, role-model, and clinical instructor for the Baylor University DPT program.” 

For nearly nine years, Crownover has specialized in home health for pediatric patients, providing quality physical therapy services to children in Dallas, Texas. Prior, she worked a combination of home health and outpatient pediatrics. As a CI, she is helping to nurture the next generation of home health physical therapists. 

“I think clinical instructors have a really important job to get to know each student,” Crownover said. “It’s my job as a CI to ensure that I am teaching in a way that is beneficial to the student that allows them to grow their knowledge and apply what they have learned. Every student comes to their rotation in a different place. They have different personalities, learning styles, and confidence levels that can impact their clinical performance. I do my best to bring the stress levels down so that they feel comfortable asking questions and perfecting their hands-on techniques.”

Lapes partnered with Crownover during her directed learning portion of Baylor’s DPT program. It was a transformative experience. She believed it was due, in a big way, to the CI she learned from. In turn, when the Department asked for CI nominations, Lapes didn’t hesitate to sing praises of Crownover.

“I did not realize how incredible a clinical rotation could be until I started working with Stephanie,” Lapes said. “Stephanie went above and beyond to provide me with chances to learn and fully experience the pediatric home health setting. She kept a very busy caseload beyond her job expectation for my benefit, so that I would have more opportunities to treat. She volunteered for extra initial evaluations so that I would have more experience. All of these actions were a sacrifice of her time and energy for my benefit.”

Being able to work directly with real patients allowed Lapes to learn best practices and establish roots within the profession. Crownover, she says, played an important role in her education. 

“All of these actions were a sacrifice of her time and energy for my benefit,” Lapes said. “Stephanie carries a heart to teach and mentor. She teaches with an incredible balance of grace and challenge that creates a learning environment that allows students to grow in their skills and confidence while feeling supported and believed in. Stephanie treats patients and families with a genuine heart to love and serve. She is not just working a job, but operating in a calling and I cannot say enough about how much working with Stephanie has positively impacted my life and career.”

Each year, DPT students are invited to submit nominations. Nominations are then reviewed and decided upon by the Department’s Clinical Education Team.

“We have between 270 to 300 CIs each year, any of which could be candidates,” Clinical Associate Professor and Director of Clinical Education Christy Gantt, DPT, explained. “It depends on how they communicated with students and the program, the strength of their mentorship, instruction that they provided, and for role-modeling our profession and commitment to excellence in both education and patient care.”