News

Dr. Yates, 2025 Distinguished Alumni Recipient

The UCA Department of Physical Therapy is seeking nominations for the 2026 Joe Finnell Distinguished Alumni Award.  This award recognizes graduates who have achieved outstanding accomplishments in their professional careers. The award is open to alumni of the UCA Physical Therapy program who graduated 10 or more years ago.

Information about nominating, selection criteria and past recipients.

Nominations are made by sending an email message to pt@uca.edu with the subject line: Alumni Award Nomination.  The deadline for nominations is April 30.

Dr. Brian Odom, Dr. Charlotte Yates, and Dr. Leah Lowe Publish in American Journal of Pediatrics

Dr. Odom, Dr. Yates and Dr. Lowe recently published in the American Journal of Pediatrics.  Odom, B. H., Yates, C., Lowe, L. (2025). Pediatric Wound Dressings Overview and Considerations for Management.  American Journal of Pediatrics, 11(4), 237-243. Full article published in American Journal of Pediatrics

Dr. Fletcher and Dr. Taylor Publish in the International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation

Dr. Fletcher and Dr. Taylor along with former UCA faculty member, Dr. Steven Tucker, recently published an article in the International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation.  Effects of open versus closed kinetic chain shoulder resistance exercise training on torque and power: a randomized controlled trial. WS Tucker, JP Fletcher, JD Taylor, SA Engle. International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation 32 (12), 1-12.

Dr. Fernando Castillo, Dr. Yates and Dr. Lowe Publish in IJSPT

Dr. Fernando Castillo, UCA PhD Graduate and DPT Class of 2020 alumnus has published an article in the International Journal of Sports Medicine with Dr. Charlotte Yates, PT, PhD, PCS, and Dr. Leah Lowe, PT, PhD, PCS in the April 1st issue.  Castillo F, Yates C, Escola K, Williams DK, Lowe L. Clinical Assessment of Spatiotemporal Parameters of Gait when performing a Visuospatial Cognitive task.  International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy.  2025. 20(4): 45-52.

The Department of Physical Therapy will host DPT Open House on Saturday, March 7, 2026, for prospective students and families.  Drop in between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM at the Physical Therapy Center located next to Estes Football Stadium on Bruce Street.  This is an opportunity to meet faculty and students, tour the PT Center and find out more about the DPT Program at the University of Central Arkansas.

2026 UCA DPT OPEN HOUSE FLYER (pdf)

Dr. Sydney Roset, PT, PhD

Congratulations to Dr. Sydney Roset, PhD in Physical Therapy graduate, December 2025.  Dr. Leah Lowe was her faculty mentor, and her dissertation was entitled “Preparing Empathetic Practitioners: The Development and Implementation of Trauma-Informed Care Training in Doctor of Physical Therapy Education”.

The American Physical Therapy Association has announced newly elected members of the Board of Directors. Congratulations to Dr. Lisa VanHoose, PT, PhD, MPH, FAPTA, who was recently elected to the APTA Board of Directors for a four-year term beginning in 2026. Dr. VanHoose is a UCA PT alumnus (’96) and former Department of Physical Therapy faculty member (2016-2019). Currently, she is Professor of Physical Therapy and Director of the DPT Program at the University of Louisiana Monroe. Dr. VanHoose is a Fellow of the American Academy of Physical Therapy and a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Oncologic Physical Therapy. She received her PhD in Rehabilitation Science and Master of Public Health from the University of Kansas Medical Center. Her BS in Health Science and MS in Physical Therapy are from the University of Central Arkansas.

The APTA Board provides strategic direction for the organization and advocates on behalf of physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, students of physical therapy, and patients nationwide to advance the profession of physical therapy and improve the health of society. Speaking on behalf of APTA, CEO Justin Moore, PT, DPT, said, “It is my honor to welcome our newly elected and returning members and officers of the APTA Board of Directors, and to extend sincere gratitude to our departing leaders for their years of dedicated service to advancing the physical therapy profession. This 2026 Board brings diverse perspectives and a shared commitment to advancing APTA’s strategic priorities, including improving payment, empowering our members, and evolving our practice. Their leadership will be instrumental in driving progress for physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and the patients they serve.”

PhD in Physical Therapy student, Dr. Sydney Roset, PT, DPT, presented her dissertation on November 7, 20205 at 9:00 am.  The dissertation was entitled, “Preparing Empathetic Practitioners:  The Development and Implementation of Trauma-Informed Care Training in Doctor of Physical Therapy Education”.  Dr. Roset’s major professor was Dr. Leah Lowe for this project.  Dr. Roset will complete her PhD and graduate in December 2025.

Applications now open for Bridging the Gap: Arkansas Physical Therapy Underserved Community Scholarship presented by APTA Arkansas and the Arkansas State Board of Physical Therapy. Available to DPT2 or DPT3 students in Arkansas. Two-year commitment to work in underserved community in Arkansas. For more information contact by email at ar.pt.scholarship@gmail.com.

Dry Needling Foundations Course by Dr. Andrew Nelson of Leading-Edge Academy was held October 11 through October 12, 2025. Third-year DPT students, recent 2025 graduates and faculty joined the group for this hands-on weekend course of learning and skill development that introduced essential dry needling principles and techniques as part of the path toward full Orthopedic Dry Needling Certification, which will be completed during the Advanced Dry Needling Course on November 22 through November 23, 2025. A huge thank you to Leading Edge Academy for partnering with UCA DPT to host this professional development opportunity on campus.

UCA DPT Family Day was held on Saturday, October 11, 2025. Winners of the Chili Cook-Off were announced. First place Golden Ladle was awarded to first year student Abbi Launius. Second place Silver Bowl was awarded to Dr. RuthAnn Mathis. The Bronze Measuring Spoons third place award winner was first year student Shelby Drumwright. Great work to the winners and thanks to all the chili cooks and PT Club for hosting a great family.