White Coat Ceremony DPT Class of 2027, October 11, 2025

The University of Central Arkansas DPT Class of 2027 held their White Coat Ceremony on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at the Windgate Center of Fine and Performing Arts.

October is National Physical Therapy Month! This month raises awareness about the many benefits of physical therapy and celebrates the work of PTs, PTAs, and students who transform lives.

This year’s theme, “PT for Future Me,” highlights the important role physical therapy plays in promoting strength, mobility, and overall wellness at every age. Physical therapy supports prevention, function, and quality of life, helping people live healthier, more active lives.

Check out the APTA website for more information.

UCA Foundation Scholarship Reception, September 25, 2025

Physical Therapy Student Scholarships were presented on September 25, 2025, during the annual Scholarship Reception hosted by UCA Foundation. First year students Lani Hackney, Samantha Hopkins, Gage Johnson, Amy French, and Kara Sain received the Charlotte Mills Fant Memorial Scholarship. Third year student Jayden Dumas received the Madeline Ann Grubbs Scholarship. Second year student Braeden Johnson and third year student Abigail McBroome received the Thomas M. Meadows Memorial Scholarship. Second year students James Christopher and Taylor Zimmerman and third year students Ashlyn McCanless and Madelyn Tankersley received the Joe Finnell Physical Therapy Scholarship. These 12 awards totaled almost $9,000 made possible by private donations from UCA PT alumni and friends. We are grateful for these student scholarships made possible by generous contributions.

Dr. Anne Moellers

Many congrats to Anne Moellers for receiving the 2025 Outstanding Student Clinician Award presented by APTA Arkansas at the annual Optimize conference held in Fayetteville, Arkansas on September 20, 2025.  Dr. Moellers is a graduate of the University of Central Arkansas DPT Class of 2025.  She served as the president of the DPT Class of 2025 and a Teaching Assistant in the Department for Dr. Bill Bandy and Dr. Mieke Corbitt.  During the UCA DPT Convocation Ceremony held on August 8, 2025, she received the UCA DPT Clinical Excellence Award and was a recipient of the Academic Excellence and Research Excellence Awards.  Anne was also a member of the ACAPT National Physical Therapy Honor Society.   Moellers is a UCA Alumnus having received her BS in Health Science with a minor in Spanish before beginning the DPT Program.

Dr. Brian Odom

Congrats to Dr. Brian Odom – President Elect of APTA-Arkansas. Odom, a UCA faculty member and alumnus, and has served as Vice President of APTA-AR in the past, was elected President during the 2025 Optimize Conference held in Fayetteville. He will begin in January of 2026. Dr. Odom is an Assistant Professor in the PT Department at UCA, and a Certified Wound Specialist (CWS) by the American Board of Wound Management. He received his PhD in Physical Therapy from UCA in 2018 as well as his MS in PT in 1999, and PTA degree in 1996. Dr. Odom has been clinically active at Arkansas Children’s since 2002, taught in the PT Program at Harding for 10 years, began teaching part-time at UCA 2005 and joined the UCA Program full-time in 2022. Congratulations to Dr. Odom.

The annual meeting of our state professional physical therapy organization, APTA Arkansas, was held this past weekend in Fayetteville. UCA was well represented with four platform presentations by UCA faculty including Dr. Corbitt, Dr. Lowe, Dr. Odom, and Dr. Yates and recent graduates Dr. Madeline Morgan and Dr. Kaylie Lane.

A number of UCA DPT students participated as volunteers at the conference to help with registration and organization. Second-year DPT student Laci Davis and first-year DPT students Trevor Fugate, Kara Sain, Lani Hackney, Brooklyn Wooldridge, and Samuel Huneycutt.

A special thanks and recognition to Dr. Leah Lowe who provided overall leadership as Conference Chair and Dr. Allen took on the role of Research Chair to organize the poster and platform presentations.

Bill Taylor, President APTA AR and Dr. Jiabey Thach

Dr. Jiabey Thach is APTA Arkansas’ Outstanding Physical Therapist 2025 and UCA DPT alumnus (2004). Dr. Thach practices in geriatric, inpatient rehabilitation and neurological settings in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Dr. Jacob Luther, Outstanding DPT Student of 2025

Dr. Jacob Luther is the recipient of the 2025 UCA Outstanding DPT Student Award, selected by students in the DPT Class of 2025. Considered a selfless leader, extremely pure hearted, committed to helping people and always stepping up when needed. Dr. David Taylor, Professor and DPT Program Coordinator, presented the award during the 2025 DPT Convocation Ceremony held on August 8, 2025, at Reynolds Performance Hall on campus at UCA.  Dr. Luther is from Bacolod City, Philippines where he received his BS degree in Biology from the University of St. La Salle. During the DPT Program he was a member of the DPT Student Advisory Committee and served as Teaching Assistant for Dr. Melissa Allen. He is a member of the ACAPT National PT Honor Society and recipient of the Research Excellence Award. Dr. Luther was also chosen by his class as the Keynote Student Speaker for DPT Convocation.  Each graduating class has had the opportunity to honor a member of the class who, according to class members, has had the most positive influence within the class. The Outstanding DPT Student of the Year is announced during DPT Convocation and honored with a plaque presented to the recipient while a separate plaque resides in the Physical Therapy Center with the name of each year’s award winner.  On behalf of the DPT Class of 2025, faculty and staff.  We congratulate to Dr. Luther.

Dr. Yates

The Joe Finnell Distinguished Alumni Award (JFDAA) recognizes and honors UCA Physical Therapy alumni for outstanding contributions and impact to the profession or community. The 2025 JFDAA recipient is Dr. Charlotte Yates. She will be recognized at the 2025 DPT Convocation Event at UCA in the Reynolds Performance Hall on Friday, August 8, 2025, at 2:00 PM. The public is invited to attend.

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 Department of Physical Therapy will host Convocation for the Doctor of Physical Therapy Class of 2025 on Friday, August 8, 2025, at 2:00 in the afternoon at Reynolds Performance Hall at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway.  Family and friends are invited to attend. No tickets are necessary.

The DPT Class of 2025 will be celebrated with Dr. Mieke Corbitt as the Keynote Speaker for the Ceremony selected by the class.  The DPT 2025 Student Speaker will be Jacob Luther.  Dr. Anne Moellers, President of the DPT Class of 2025 will also speak.  The 2025 Graduates of the Pediatric Residency Program will also be presented.

An Open House at the Physical Therapy Center will be held immediately following.