Wesley McWhorter, PT, MPT, PhD, helped create and shape the Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMUoHP) Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program and leaves a legacy on the DPT program and the University. Upon this retirement this year, RMUoHP celebrates his impact on students, alumni, and employees and on the physical therapy profession has a whole.
Before joining RMUoHP as an employee, McWhorter served on the advisory committee as the University evaluated starting an entry-level DPT degree program. Founding RMUoHP President Richard P. Nielsen, PT, DHSc, ECS, said, “He is probably one of the most friendly people I’ve ever met and he always has a smile on his face. I don’t think anyone ever feels like they’ve met Dr. McWhorter for the first time when they meet him. It’s almost like they’ve known him forever.”
McWhorter’s personality and professional experience brought him to RMUoHP in May 2010, when he joined RMUoHP as the DPT Program Director, alongside the program’s first cohort of students. Executive Vice President of Strategy and Engagement, Jessica Egbert, PhD, reflects on his joining the RMUoHP family. “When I met Dr. McWhorter a decade ago, our first conversation was about why he would leave an established program and institution to take a risk at a new program and young, non-traditional institution. Like me, he believed in the vision and in the people. He wanted something different and could see how to make things better…and he did just that.”
As Program Director, McWhorter continued the work of building the program, hiring faculty and enrolling students. Mary Ah Mu, who worked for the DPT program for four years, said, “I knew from the moment I met him at my job interview that he was the kind of boss I would enjoy working for and he truly was that and more!” McWhorter focused on the people first. Assistant DPT Program Director Joel Tenbrink, PT, DPT, ATC, PhD, said, “Dr. McWhorter was a man who saw the best in everyone. He pushed each faculty member into bigger and better opportunities when they didn’t know they were ready for them. He saw huge potential in everyone and brought that potential out of each person, faculty, or student.”
It wasn’t just faculty who loved McWhorter. Tim Stevenson, PT, DPT, who graduated from the RMUoHP DPT program in 2013, said, “When I applied to PT school I was admitted to seven programs across the country. When I interviewed at RMUoHP and met Dr. McWhorter, I knew this was the place I wanted to go to PT school. He created an environment and culture that was welcoming and calm.” President Nielsen added, “He’ll go out of his way to help a student, advise a student, or check on a student status if they’ve had challenges, whether academic or non-academic.”
McWhorter leaves the University, campus, and family a better place because of the type of man and leader that he is. DPT Director of Program Accreditation and Assessment, Jeff Lau, PT, DPT, PhD, CMPT, said, “He let you know how much he cared for you and others, and he would take the time to help you feel important. He cultivated a family atmosphere here at RMUoHP among faculty, staff, and students.”
RMUoHP Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, Mark Horacek, PT, PhD, MS, said, “Dr. McWhorter is a wonderful man, kind and caring, witty, and a great leader and mentor.” DPT faculty member Kaiwi Chung-Hoon, PT, PhD, adds, “As the Director of the DPT program, Dr. McWhorter made the working environment a fun place to come on a daily basis. He is very approachable, makes everyone feel a part of the team and has an infectious laugh that is contagious.”
DPT Program Coordinator, Rachel Robinson, says that McWhorter “is a quintessential storyteller. And if you’ve never heard any of his stories, you’ll have to come back for them.” DPT faculty member Misti Timpson, PT, DPT, PhD, NCS, recalls one story with him. “At an APTA Combined Sections Meeting, he took me for a little excursion to visit an old buddy who had a farm nearby–we went to get apple donuts. After we drove for hours following Lola (his GPS) we finally stopped for directions, and found that we were now in Marlboro, NY! (We had started in Connecticut!) We figured Lola avoided all toll roads, and we had to quickly reverse and drive through Pennsylvania to get back to the evening meetings before we were too late!”
Robinson sums up the opportunity to work alongside McWhorter: “How can you mention nine years worth of a mentor, leader, friend, family? There is not one person I know who he hasn’t touched. And there’s not one person who he’s touched who he hasn’t stayed in contact with.” Michael Skurja, Jr., DPT, ECS (Emeritus), co-founder of RMUoHP who now serves as Chair of the RMUoHP Board of Trustees, says, “He is truly one of a kind – considerate, loyal, transparent, honest and a man of integrity – the kind of person you like having as a friend.”
In McWhorter’s ten years of leadership at RMUoHP, he directed the DPT program, added a second cohort of students, oversaw the graduation of 384 students, and built up a program that currently has a 95% graduation rate, 100% National Physical Therapy Examination Licensure pass rate, and 100% employment rate for those who sought employment.
RMUoHP extends to Dr. McWhorter and his wife, Karen, gratitude, love, and, from our Navy roots, fair winds and following seas!
