Leonardo McCormick, DPT24
What inspired you to pursue your degree, and how has your personal journey shaped your career goals?
My fascination with the human body—and its remarkable ability to heal with the right support—led me to explore sports, coaching, and staying active within those communities. I pursued physical therapy to expand my skill set in ways I hadn’t realized were possible. My diverse background has been central to my growth, and I’ve always felt a strong calling to uplift others—especially within the Latino and Native American communities I’m proud to represent. I’m driven to amplify our shared stories in the medical field, where our presence and contributions are both powerful and necessary. Whether through physical therapy or volunteer work, I aim to foster empowerment, representation, and resilience in the people I serve.
Can you share a memorable moment or experience from your time at Tufts that has left a lasting impression on you?
It’s difficult to choose just one moment that stands out from my time at Tufts—there were so many meaningful experiences that shaped who I am today. One of the most impactful was the opportunity to connect with my instructors in person. Learning directly from high-caliber clinicians and leading researchers—beyond lectures and into real, personal conversations—deeply shaped my perspective as a practicing clinician. Tufts introduced me to some incredible people, and through those connections, I’ve formed lifelong friendships and memories I’ll always carry with me. The culture here is one of constant growth—where you’re not just striving to be better for yourself, but for the people and communities around you. When people refer to Tufts as Pax et Lux, it’s not just a motto—it’s a lived experience. The passion, drive, and collective commitment to excellence that I witnessed every day truly reflect that. Tufts didn’t just educate me—it instilled in me a deeper sense of purpose that now guides every aspect of my life and career.
What are your aspirations and goals beyond graduation, both personally and professionally?
As a recent graduate, my primary professional goal was to launch my career in physical therapy, ideally in an outpatient setting that supports new graduates. Now that I’ve accomplished that, I’m excited to apply my background in personal training and concierge wellness to deliver individualized, high-quality care. My experience has helped me drive meaningful changes in how people move and live within their environments. Long-term, I plan to build a dual-entity structure that offers both clinical and non-clinical services. This model will allow me to serve diverse patients across the wellness and rehabilitation spectrum. Personally, I’m looking forward to settling into a new city, exploring new surroundings, and creating new experiences. More than anything, I’m excited to grow—both as a clinician and as a person—and to make a lasting impact on the communities I serve.
What advice would you offer to prospective students based on your own experience?
If you're on the fence about applying to a hybrid program, take time to reflect on how you learn best. For those who are driven, well-organized, and open to combining self-paced study with hands-on lab work, the Tufts DPT program can be an excellent fit. I also can’t stress enough the importance of time management and creating meaningful connections with the program’s diverse and experienced faculty. Since part of my undergraduate education was completed online, I had already built routines that helped me transition smoothly. The hybrid format really does offer flexibility while maintaining high academic standards. The in-person lab immersions deliver top-tier, hands-on training that truly prepares you for clinical rotations—an experience you won’t find anywhere else.
What areas of physical therapy are you most passionate about and why?
The beauty of physical therapy is that no matter which path you choose—outpatient, inpatient, research, or specialty care—there’s something deeply rewarding on the other side. What initially drew me in was the chance to explore the many dimensions of the profession during my time at Tufts. I served as Vice President of the Orthopedic SIG and was naturally drawn to the intersection of orthopedics and physical therapy. Our active group regularly hosted leading clinicians who offered insights that challenged traditional thinking yet produced powerful results. Around the same time, I joined a world-class journal club introduced by a faculty mentor, and I made it a priority to attend consistently and uncover clinical pearls from seasoned therapists. That experience deepened my appreciation for the artful blend of medicine, intuition, and problem-solving that defines orthopedics.
As a multi-sport athlete, I initially wanted to work exclusively with that population. Over time, though, I’ve realized that everyone has an inner athlete. Helping everyday people—from weekend warriors to youth athletes—return to the activities they love has become one of the most rewarding parts of this journey. Each case brings a unique challenge, and I’m constantly inspired by how adaptable the human body is—especially when given the right guidance and support.
Another influential moment came during my undergraduate years when I worked in a hospital setting. I rotated through various specialties but found myself especially drawn to cardiac rehab, developing a deep appreciation for working with that population. All these experiences—both inside and outside the classroom—have shaped my passion for the field. What keeps me going is the understanding that there’s always more to learn, more to discover, and more people to serve. One of my coaches used to say, “You’re only as good as your practice partner.” That quote has stayed with me for years. In many ways, my patients, mentors, and colleagues have become those “practice partners,” continually challenging me to grow and show up better every day.
What impact do you hope to make in the field of physical therapy?
I want to be part of moving the profession beyond its traditional boundaries and into spaces that have been historically overlooked. For too long, fixed treatment approaches have been applied regardless of a patient’s individual circumstances or cultural background. That outdated framework leaves too many people behind. I believe physical therapy has the power to rewrite that script. I aim to be at the forefront of a more innovative, forward-thinking approach to healthcare—one that fuses modern medicine with movement and emphasizes high-quality, proactive care as the standard, not the exception.
With advancements in regenerative medicine, robotics, and holistic wellness, our profession has incredible potential to expand its scope and create lasting, sustainable change. My vision is to help shape a future where movement is truly recognized as medicine, and where equitable, accessible, and personalized care is available to all.