A Wonderful Pas de Deux: The University of Oklahoma and the Tulsa Ballet Theatre Partnership

Keeping the dancers of the Tulsa Ballet Theatre on their toes is an ongoing challenge. Enter the University of Oklahoma team of physical therapists, sports medicine physicians, and their residents and students. Coordinated by Ken Randall, PT, MHR, Assistant Professor in the College of Allied Health Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, in collaboration with Lamont Cavanagh, MD, Director of Residency Programs in the College of Medicine Department of Family Medicine, this team of health care professionals helps to keep the dancers in peak condition.

Dancers have access to physical therapy services at their studios every week of the season, during performance weeks, and when the company goes on tour. In the rare event that a dancer is injured, they receive immediate medical attention at OU’s Family Medicine Center, and begin physical therapy at the aptly-named To the Pointe Rehab clinic. The clinic is part of larger space located at 1111 South St. Louis Avenue in Tulsa, and is the only rehabilitation site in this region of the United States with a professional dance floor, as well as other equipment tailored to specific needs of performing artists.

The University of Oklahoma and the Tulsa Ballet have partnered for six seasons, and like a well-executed pas de deaux, each enhances the performance of the other: Student physical therapists and physician residents work under the guidance of their faculty to treat elite athletes, and dancers receive the latest in evidence-based care so that they remain healthy and in peak condition.