For Madeline Ratoza, PT, DPT, PhD, a career in academia was always a long-term goal fueled by a passion for learning and a deep-seated curiosity about how systems shape care. In this episode of PT Path, host Amber Fitzsimmons talks with Dr. Ratoza about her journey from the clinic to the classroom and how her research at the intersection of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and social determinants of health is helping us understand where and how care is delivered, and what that means for training the future PT workforce.

Dr. Ratoza also hosts a podcast, writes a Substack, and shares free financial literacy resources for students and clinicians on her website at madelineratoza.com

00:00 Introduction to PT Path

00:31 Meet Dr. Madeline Ratoza

01:32 Madeline's Journey to Physical Therapy

05:52 Transition to Academia and Research

06:34 Balancing Career and Personal Life

07:23 PhD Journey and Research Focus

13:51 Financial Literacy Advocacy

21:23 Geographic Information Systems in Research

28:58 The Importance of Data in PT Education

30:14 Challenges and Goals in PT Education Research

32:15 Balancing Academia and Personal Life

33:24 Pathways into Academia

35:34 The Role of Terminal Degrees in Academia

43:58 Starting a Podcast and Research Lab

49:25 Advice for Aspiring Academics

55:34 Final Thoughts and Reflections