On May 8, 2025, Duke Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students, faculty, and staff gathered at the Trent Semans Center for Health Education to hear from the distinguished Dr. Lisa VanHoose, PT, PhD, MPH, FAPTA, the featured Visiting Professor for this year’s Eleanor Branch Lecture. Dr. VanHoose, a professor of physical therapy and director of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the University of Louisiana, Monroe, is widely recognized for her groundbreaking research on perceived racism’s impact on health outcomes and her work identifying cardiovascular risk factors in African American men.
Her lecture, “Awakening the Blue Rooster: A Call to Eruditio et Religio,” captivated attendees with an impassioned discussion on leadership, service, and the transformative role of physical therapists in healthcare.
A Call to Action: Be the Blue Rooster
Dr. VanHoose opened with a powerful challenge to the audience: “Who are you? A blue rooster or a blue devil?” She described the blue rooster as a leader who alerts, defends, and moves others forward, in contrast to the blue devil, who follows orders passively. She encouraged Duke students and faculty to embrace the blue rooster’s role, aligning with Duke’s motto, Eruditio et Religio (Knowledge and Faith), to lead with purpose and conviction.
“Academic traditions must be rooted in both learning and faith. The Duke program embodies this spirit, and I believe this approach should be present in institutions everywhere.”
Transforming Healthcare Through Community Engagement
Dr. VanHoose emphasized the importance of core values, particularly service and problem-solving in real-world healthcare settings. She urged students to collaborate with communities, rather than dictate solutions from a distance.
“Providing good healthcare means listening—listening—to community feedback. Healthcare should not be imposed; lived experiences and needs should shape it.”
She also warned about information overload, noting that the sheer volume of information flooding the communications channels can sometimes obscure true understanding and action.
Physical Therapy and Social Determinants of Health
A central theme of Dr. VanHoose’s lecture was the urgent need for transformation within the physical therapy profession. She emphasized that PTs must grasp the broader social determinants of health, including food insecurity, financial limitations, and systemic inequities, to provide holistic and patient-centered care.
“If you don’t understand your patient's world, you’re not delivering the care they need.”
Final Charge: Crow Like the Blue Rooster
Dr. VanHoose closed with an energetic call to action: “Be the bold blue rooster—CROW!” She reminded attendees that they were never meant to be silent followers. Instead, they must advocate, innovate, and serve their communities purposefully and passionately.
Her words left an indelible mark, reinforcing the importance of leadership in healthcare and the power of service-driven education. As Duke moves forward, her message will undoubtedly shape the evolving role of physical therapists in improving healthcare for all.