Keith Erb is at the top left of the picture with his classmates in their white clinic uniforms. It was a very different world for physical therapy students back in 1965 at D.T. Watson
In the mid 1960’s after Keith Erb (PT ’65) graduated from West Virginia University, he enrolled in the D.T. Watson School of Physiatrics in Sewickley, PA, which was where Pitt’s physical therapy program began in 1927. At the time, it was a one-year certificate program and men made up one-third of the program’s students. They attended classes or labs for eight hours a day and had four to five hours of studying each night. Keith’s one special treat each school week was to watch 30 minutes of his favorite television show, Mayberry RFD, with his wife Barb.
Throughout physical therapy school, the couple had little money. Keith’s mom bought them electric clippers to save money on haircuts, but Barb had little experience with being a barber. She tried it once and the haircut line went from the bottom of his scalp to the top of his head and was quite memorable, leading him to wear a hat for weeks in his PT program. That was probably the first time that hats were allowed in D.T. Watson classrooms in the ‘60s.
A lab class at D.T. Watson about applying microwave diathermy for back pain
The D.T. Watson mansion is where all the women lived during Keith’s educational program. Only the men were allowed to live off campus
The D.T. Watson Physical Therapy program would occasionally hold a dinner and dancing in the lab (gym) area. He and Barb only went to one dance. Keith managed to dance with all of the women PT students and after that evening, they did not come to any other dances! They did, however, get the recipe for the beef stroganoff with a tomato soup base from dinner that evening and still use make that recipe at least once a month. Keith’s first job was at Harmarville Rehabilitation Center. After Harmarville, Keith transitioned to Braddock General Hospital, started his private practice which went on to flourish and then worked at Montefiore Hospital for 22 years.
The gym is where Keith had manual muscle testing lab, crutch training and bandaging
Imagine having anatomy class in this basement classroom like Keith did in the ‘60s
Changing Physical Therapy Practice in Pennsylvania
As a young PT, Keith Erb was instrumental in advancing the practice of physical therapy in Pennsylvania. As told by Bob Richardson, D.T. Watson Class of 1959 and former American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and Pennsylvania Physical Therapy Association (PPTA) president:
“Perhaps one of the most notable contributions that Keith was involved with began with his service to the predecessor of our current State Board of Physical Therapy. In 1970 while working at Montefiore Hospital, Keith was appointed as the western Pennsylvania representative to the advisory committee to the state board of medical education and licensure, which amazingly was within five years of graduating from D.T. Watson. This committee served at the discretion of the Medical Board, but its legal authority was specifically authorized in a section of the Medical Practice Act through published Rules and Regulations. Those regulations specified that physical therapy be administered by ’prescription’ of a medical doctor, which limited what PTs could do.
“The advisory committee wanted to change that one word to ’referral’ which would permit PTs more autonomy. Keith was in his twenties and belonged to the Jaycees. Another member of this group was Kent Culley, a young attorney just starting his career. Keith was instrumental in getting Kent to craft legislation making the desired change, which in essence, changed the trajectory of physical therapy in Pennsylvania. This change in one word led to the creation of our own, autonomous State Board of Physical Therapy.”
Keith and Kent’s work changed physical therapy practice in Pennsylvania.
On the left, former D.T. Watson Director and APTA President Mary Elizabeth Kolb teaching anatomy. On the far right is Tom Winner. The other two students are unknown.
Miss Kelly and Mrs. Vicky Green teaching students how to help someone get up from the ground with their crutches
An Influential Faculty Member at Pitt Physical Therapy
Keith served as a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at Pitt for over 30 years and went on to open his private practice full time in 2000. According to Paul Rockar, DPT, FAPTA and former APTA President,
“For years Keith presented the introductory orthopedic material to Pitt first-year students. His emphasis on solid basic principles and on the attention to detail in the application of manual techniques set a solid foundation for many young therapists.”
Former Pitt faculty member Mary Ann Wharton reflects,
“Many of us have learned most of what we know about shoulder rehabilitation from Keith. His concepts and expertise are known not only throughout Pennsylvania, but I would venture to say, nationwide.” She continues, “Keith throughout his distinguished career has been a leader, educator and pioneering practitioner. Before APTA created specialization tracks, Keith and his colleagues pioneered ’special interest study groups’ to advance manual and orthopedic physical therapy practice in western Pennsylvania. Keith has been a mentor and professional role model for many and the profession is better served for his dedication and service.”
Barb Erb, Patti Gehman (PT ‘81) and Keith Erb at a PPTA meeting
Kenny “Little Buddy” Erb, his son and current vice president of the PPTA remembers,
“I have early memories of Dad taking me to all the Pitt football and hoops games. We’d stop at Montefiore, he’d unlock the PT department and make ’gloves’ of my little hands in the paraffin bath… then we’d go scream our heads off at Fitzgerald Field House or Pitt Stadium. He was the best role model a son could hope for, teaching me that we live in a practical world that rewards those who invest their time, talent and treasure in worthwhile endeavors. His mantra that ‘The decisions you make shape the life you lead’ is as true today as it was back then. Practicing PT alongside him was one of the true joys of my professional career; a time that I treasure to this day. Dad has loved me, and his heart is filled when I succeed, and it bleeds when I suffer. He’s the best Dad I could hope for, giving me a picture of what I can aspire to be for my own kids, in doing so, leaving his mark on our family for generations to come.”
Keith Erb continues to be involved with the Pitt PT program and “checks in” a few times a year with Chair Jay Irrgang. We are lucky to have Keith Erb as part of our Pitt PT family. Keith is now fully retired and lives in both Pittsburgh and Florida.
Bruce Rosborough, Keith Erb and Kenny Erb in July 2023 holding the picture from 2011 at the ribbon cutting of their new office building. Erb Physical Therapy now has offices in Bethel Park, Brentwood and Canonsburg, PA. Bruce is a 1989 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and Kenny is a graduate of Duquesne University’s Physical Therapy program
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Written and compiled by Sue Whitney
Professor, Department of Physical Therapy
Enjoy this history of Pitt PT? Be sure to read the Summer 2002 FACETS for the in-depth story “Teaching the Hands that Heal” on the early days of D.T. Watson—from how the estate of a wealthy Pittsburgh attorney became a home to care for and educate young girls with disabilities in the early 1900s to its critical role treating patients with polio and finally transitioning to the University of Pittsburgh campus.
The original sign at the D.T. Watson estate for the School of Physical Therapy.
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Published September 21, 2023