Michael Muscarella, PT, DPT, is the executive director of ambulatory services for Baptist Health Paducah and chair of the College of Health Sciences Philanthropy Council. A graduate of Old Dominion University with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy, Muscarella received his transitional doctorate in physical therapy from the University of Kentucky in May 2009. He is a past president of the Kentucky Physical Therapy Association and the Rotary Club of Paducah. A 2011 graduate of Leadership Kentucky, he serves with many different local, regional and state organizations to promote health. He recently organized Baptist Health Paducah’s Health Care Explorer Post 2501 to encourage regional high school students to consider health care careers. There are currently more than 60 Explorers. 

What inspired you to choose physical therapy as your career?

I am like most physical therapists. I played soccer and baseball, sustained two knee injuries and had a few knee surgeries. My time in physical therapy with Mike Tamburello, PT, PhD, currently a PT professor at Old Dominion University, solidified my desire to become a physical therapist. I followed in my mother’s footsteps because she was a Wave in the US Navy and worked as a physical therapy technician. 

Will you tell us about your experience with the College and how you came to join the College’s Philanthropy Council? What motivated you to become involved as an alum?

I began my work with the College of Health Sciences in May 1982 with my first physical therapy student, Bruce Mauzy, PT, who is currently the director of rehabilitation services at Owensboro Medical Health System Hospital. I worked with Bruce while he was on his Kentucky May rotation. I enjoyed precepting students and that was my start to working with the PT students from the College. I also served as an adjunct faculty for 12 years teaching and assisting with PT888, Administration and Management. Around 1989 or 1990, Dr. Thomas Robinson, who was serving as dean at the time, asked me to be on the college council that was the precursor of the Philanthropy Council. The Physical Therapy Program was growing through changes and Dean Robinson was in the middle of hiring a new director for the program. As a result of the council’s work, Dr. Terry Malone, PT, EdD, ATC, FAPTA, was hired. The Development Council then grew to focus on finding funding for and the building of the Charles T. Wethington, Jr. building which is now the home of the College.  Over the years, the Development Council assisted the deans with feedback and support for the growth of the College. Currently, the Philanthropy Council focuses on assisting Dean Scott Lephart to raise funds to assist our programs, faculty, and students.  These funds are from outside of tuition and state funding. Our goal is to keep our College ahead of the curve in scholarly research, innovation, and quality graduates. 

What do you think it takes to be a leader in schools and community organizations?

I continue to meet with clinical interns each week to discuss transitioning from school to practicing clinician. I share with them that they will be leaders their whole career. They must choose to be a good leader. Leadership author, John Maxwell, has shared that it is most difficult to be a leader of a volunteer organization. People have a choice whether to follow you or not.  To be a good leader requires an individual to be nice, kind, and thoughtful. Couple that with a passion for your organization and you will be most successful. 

Our alumni are the leading advocates for the College. As an alum, what do you consider to be best points-of-pride for the College of Health Sciences?

The greatest “point of pride” I see for our College is the growth of students within our programs, especially our undergraduate degrees. The Bachelor of Science degree in Human Health Sciences is a solid pipeline into the graduate programs. The College has made a commitment to meet the demands of an aging population and the robust retirement of Baby Boomer health care professionals. The growth in our student population and faculty demonstrate our commitment to meeting the needs of the Commonwealth.  

As a Council chair and long-time member, what do you consider the greatest accomplishment of this Council to date?

There are two accomplishments that I am most proud of. The first is our Anniversary Gala. It was exciting to see a multi-generational turnout for our 50th anniversary.  It was a lively event and was successful because of the large turnout of loyal alumni. It was a great reflection of who we are as a College. The second accomplishment was the establishment of the CHS student ambassadors. The Ambassador program stemmed from a Development Council meeting and a brainstorming session on ways to improve the College. Engaging students early facilitates loyalty and creates an understanding for the need of lifelong support of the College.  It is an honor to be an Ambassador. Once an ambassador, always an Ambassador.

The Council has historically played a significant role in philanthropy for the College but now it is the primary role of the Council. What do you hope the College can accomplish through philanthropy?

I am excited about the philanthropic role our council is taking. The efforts of the Council will continue in the footsteps of the many supporters who have gone before us to financially assist with the mission. Future efforts will assist with funding scholarships for our students, professorships for our faculty, and supporting our new and expanding programs. The Council is working to be inclusive of all alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of the College to financially be a part of the College’s future.  When many people come together for a single cause, great things happen. My hope is to see the growth of support from every area of the College family. A broad base of support allows everyone to be vested in our mission to educate our students, publish evidence based research, and attract the best and brightest faculty and staff.