DIXFIELD - Lauren Hebert, DPT, will receive his doctor of physical therapy degree this month from the University of New England in Portland. Dr. Hebert is owner of SmartCare Physical Therapy in Dixfield and Turner, providing care for musculo-skeletal pain problems, as well as IMPACC, a consulting firm providing work injury prevention and ergonomics programs. Hebert also teaches seminars on musculo-skeletal work injury to physical therapy groups around the US.

Physical therapists are now trained at the doctorate level of education as a result of efforts by the American Physical Therapy Association to upgrade physical therapy to independent health professional status, much like dentists or podiatrists. Maine already allows patients to directly access physical therapists without physician referral.

Hebert completed two years of the doctor of physical therapy curriculum at the University of New England after undergoing undergraduate and graduate education at the University of Vermont, plus 34 years of experience and ongoing continuing education, plus training to become board-certified as an orthopedics specialist.