DPT Class of 2025
UCA Physical Therapy Alumni
The Department of Physical Therapy welcomes PT and PTA graduates to our web site. We would like to share news, offer events for continuing education through our web site.
Job Listing Site
We host a job listings site where job announcements can be made available to all of our graduates.
UCA Physical Therapy Joe Finnell Distinguished Alumni Award
Dr. Charlotte Yates is the recipient of the 2025 Joe Finnell Distinguished Alumni Award. Dr. Yates is a Professor in the UCA Department of Physical Therapy. She is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Pediatric Physical Therapy and has practiced clinically as a pediatric physical therapist at Arkansas Children’s Hospital for more than 25 years. Dr. Yates is a graduate of the University of Arkansas, the University of Central Arkansas, and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Within the last decade, she has received the Outstanding Physical Therapist Award from the Arkansas chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association, the UCA faculty Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity Award, AND the Eleanor Carlin Award for Excellence in Academic Teaching, which is a national award from the American Physical Therapy Association. Dr. Yate’s research has made a significant impact in advancing the field of neurobiology and pediatric physical therapy, particularly in neurodevelopmental science, where she continues to contribute to our understanding of pediatric neurological rehabilitation. Through her tireless dedication to improving patient care, advancing the education of future PTs, contributing to the mission, vision and core values of the UCA Department of Physical Therapy, and leading initiatives to improve the profession and the community, Dr. Yates exemplifies the qualities celebrated by the Joe Finnell Distinguished Alumni Award.
The UCA Department of Physical Therapy is seeking nominations for the Joe Finnell Distinguished Alumni Award, which recognizes graduates who have achieved outstanding accomplishments in their professional careers. The honoree(s) will be recognized in August at the DPT Convocation Ceremony. The 2025 DPT Convocation will be held on Friday, August 8, 2025, in Reynolds Performance Hall at UCA.
Past Recipients: Susan Appling, Kim Dunleavy, Nat Grubbs, Mary Anne Hart, James A. Hoyme, Cecile W. Kimmer, Barbara J. Lovett, Twala Maresh, William S. Quillen, Nancy Reese, Chris Throneberry, Lisa VanHoose, Mala H. Waller, Glenda Winborn
Susan Appling ’86, Brian Odom ’99 at CSM 2025 Houston
Criteria for Selection: The award is open to any alumna or alumnus of the UCA Physical Therapy program who graduated 10 or more years ago. This individual is or was a licensed physical therapist (PT) or physical therapist assistant (PTA) and has earned a PTA or PT degree from UCA (ie. AS, BS, MS, DPT, or PhD degree).
See more details and instructions for nominating at Joe Finnell Distinguished Alumni Award
APTA CSM 2025, Houston
Recently, we ran into alumni at the national Combined Sections Meeting of the APTA held 12-15, 2025 in Houston, Texas. UCA Physical Therapy students, faculty, and alumni were spotted presenting, attending, and visiting for photo ops at the amazing APTA event. We found DPT Class of 2016 members Meredith McKelvy, Phil McKelvy and Eric Williams. Dr. Odom ran into Dr. Staffan Elgelid and Susan Appling. Dr. Venita Lovelace-Chandler, Dr. Nancy Reese and Dr. Bill Bandy were each spotted as well!
Odom with Staffan Elgelid PT ’85, PhD
Keeping in Touch
Update Record -Please update your mailing address and contact information on the UCA Alumni Services Webpage.
Archive of Physical Therapy Alumni Newsletter