News

Congratulations to faculty and students presenting research at the 2025 American Physical Therapy Association’s Combined Sections Meeting to be held in Houston, Texas on February 13-14th. UCA Department of Physical Therapy faculty and DPT students conducted six research projects that have been accepted for poster presentations at the national meeting in the sections of acute care, education, clinical electrophysiology & wound management, research, and geriatrics.

Presentations Thursday, February 13: 
Enhancing Dementia Care Competence through Experiential Learning: An Examination of DPT Student Attitudes and Self-Efficacy. Dr. Melissa Allen, Dr. Mieke Corbitt, Emily Adkins (DPT2025), Grace Loftin (DPt2025), Reagan Reed (DPT2025), Jordan Martin (DPT2025), and Keely Tucker (DPT2025). SECTION: Geriatrics.

Effect of Student-Led Wellness Program on Mobility and Fall Risk in Older Adults with Dementia. Dr. Melissa Allen, Hannah Kobayashi (DPT2025), Jacob Luther (DPT2025), Mary Grace Dupuy (DPT2025), Elysian Majeske (DPT2025), Robert Hogue (DPT2025), and Kerry Jordan. SECTION: Geriatrics.

Effect of Blood Flow Restriction on Tissue Plasminogen Activator and Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor Levels. Dr. Joshua Landers (DPT 2003, PhD 2023), Dr. Melissa Allen, Dr. Leah Lowe, and Dr. James Fletcher. SECTION: Research.

Presentations Friday, February 14:
The Effects of Experiential Learning with Simulation in Wound Care Management on Confidence and Self-Efficacy. Dr. Brian Odom, Dr. Leah Lowe, Taylor Phillips (DPT2025), Cayla Bass (DPT2025), Julianne Futrell (DPT2026), and Dr. Charlotte Yates.  PRESENTER: Dr. Brian Odom. SECTION: Clinical Electrophysiology & Wound Management.

Implementing Anatomy Outreach with Physical Therapy-Based Activities to High School Students in Arkansas. Dr. Lara Davis, Ciana Diaz (DPT2025), Kyler Hulsey (DPT2025), Kaylee Miller (DPT2025), and Jaqueline Mondragon (DPT2025).  PRESENTER: Dr. Lara Davis. SECTION: Education.

Impact of Simulation Experiences on Physical Therapy Student Confidence in the Acute Care Setting.
AUTHORS: Dr. Lara Davis, Dr. Margaret McGee, Nami Ikawa (DPT2025), Madeline Morgan (DPT2025), and Peyton Vowels (DPT2025).  PRESENTER: Dr. Lara Davis. SECTION: Acute Care.

Exploration of Knee Extension Torque Steadiness in Adolescent Athletes Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction  Victor Valentin Prati, PT, DPT, Kevin Garrison, PT, PhD, Jacqueline Rainey, BSE, MS, Dr.P.H., MCHES, Brant Sachleben and William D. Bandy, PT, PhD, FAPTA.  Platform Presentation, Friday, February 14, 2025, River Oaks (Level Three, Marriott Marquis)

UCA Physical Therapy faculty will present two educational sessions at the 2025 American Physical Therapy Association’s Combined Sections Meeting to be held in Houston, Texas on February 13-15, 2025.   Both presentations will be held on Saturday, February 15th at 8:00 AM.

Dr. Leah Lowe, Dr. Mieke Corbitt and Dr. Charlotte Yates will present an educational session entitled:  “Strategies for Integration of Health Informatics Instruction in DPT Education”.

Dr. Melissa Allen and team will present an educational session entitled:  “Assimilation of ANPT Essential Competencies for Neurologic Entry-Level Education: Early Experiences of Faculty”.  Presenters: Melissa Allen, Michael Furtado, Elissa Bradford-Held, Sue Perry.

 

 

DPT student Austin Fortinberry (DPT2025), has an article published with UCA DPT and PhD alumnus Dr. Josh Landers (DPT2003, PhD 2023). On January 17, 2025, their article entitled “Bilateral medial malleolar fractures in a young athlete: the role of biomechanics in non-contact injuries” was published in the Bulletin of Faculty of Physical Therapy (2025) 30:3. This clinical case describes physical therapy treatment provided by Dr. Landers for a young athlete with a non-contact injury. Austin Fortinberry is from Summit, Mississippi and is currently in his third year of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at UCA and will graduate in August 2025. During the DPT program, Austin has served as a Teaching Assistant for Dr. Kevin Garrison and the Gross Anatomy course. Dr. Landers is currently Associate Professor and Chair of Biomedical Sciences at Lyon College Institute of Health Sciences, Lyon College School of Dental Medicine in Batesville, Arkansas. Previously, Dr. Landers practiced physical therapy at D1 Sports Training in Little Rock, Arkansas.

 

UCA Physical Therapy is happy to announce Dr. Amanda Bennett and Dr. Cassady Rankin each received a score of 800 on the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE), the top score available.  Both received their Doctor of Physical Therapy degrees from UCA in August of 2024.  Dr. Bennett and Dr. Rankin are both working as physical therapists at Access Early Childhood Center in Little Rock.   During the DPT program, Bennett and Rankin completed the Advanced Pediatrics Elective with Dr. Charlotte Yates and Dr. Leah Lowe.   Cassady Rankin is an alumnus of UCA completing her undergraduate degree in Chemistry with a minor in Math.  Amanda Bennett completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Louisiana Monroe with major in Kinesiology.   Amanda Bennett received the DPT Academic Excellence Award, the Research Excellence Award, was a finalist for the Clinical Excellence Award, and served as a Teaching Assistant for Dr. Melissa Allen in the Department of Physical Therapy.  Cassady Rankin also received the DPT Academic Excellence Award, was inducted into the Physical Therapy National Student Honors Society, and served as a Teaching Assistant for Dr. Bill Bandy in the Department of Physical Therapy.

PTCAS is Open

Prospective DPT students, please know that Physical Therapist Central Application Service (PTCAS) is now open for DPT applications. UCA utilizes PTCAS for DPT admissions and our application deadline is October 1st.

Visit PTCAS to learn more and login here to begin.

Mike Hawkinson, Program Advisor 2016-2024

Mike Hawkinson has served as the Academic Advisor for Pre-Physical Therapy students as well as the mentor for the UCA Pre-PT Club for the past 8 years. Mike and his wife are moving to Minnesota this June; relocating for his wife’s new job opportunity. He joined the Department of Physical Therapy at UCA in May of 2016 from South Dakota brand new to Arkansas.  He immediately became a great friend and colleague and even became at home with the fabulous Arkansas weather.  We are so grateful for his years of service advising hundreds of students from UCA and all over the region as well as hosting many Bear Facts Days, open houses, tours and visits during his tenure as the advisor.  He has been a great asset to the Department of Physical Therapy contributing to the mission of educating leaders in physical therapy.

During the transition, please direct questions regarding DPT admission, application and/or advising to pt@uca.edu or (501) 450-3611.

Dr. Nathan Musso, PT, DPT, OCS

We are pleased to announce Dr. Nathan Musso is joining the faculty in the Department of Physical Therapy as a Clinical Instructor. Dr. Musso is a Board Certified Orthopeadic Clinical Specialist by the American Board of PT Specialties and will officially join us in August with an active role in Musculoskeletal I, II and III. Dr. Musso is a 2019 graduate of the UCA Doctor of Physical Therapy Program. He completed his Bachelor of Science degree magna cum laude in 2016 at UCA with a major in Health Sciences, Physical Therapy concentration and a minor in Honors Interdisciplinary Studies. His clinical focus is in private practice orthopedics. In addition to his OCS, Dr. Musso is an APTA Credentialed Clinical Instructor and he is currently pursuing a certification in manual therapy. We look forward to working with our newest faculty member at UCA Physical Therapy!

Dr. Ruth Ann Mathis, PhD, PT

We are pleased to announce Dr. Ruth Ann Mathis will join the UCA PT Faculty as an Associate Professor in August of 2024.  She is a 1998 graduate of the UCA Masters in Physical Therapy program and received her PhD in Physical Therapy from UCA in 2013.  For the past 12 years, Dr. Mathis as been teaching in the DPT program at Harding University serving as the Director of Clinical Education for the past 5 years.  In addition, she has served as manuscript reviewer, dissertation committee member (UCA PhD program) and nominating chair for APTA Arkansas.  Dr. Mathis has 25 years of clinical experience in a variety of settings in Arkansas and Mississippi including inpatient rehab, acute care, outpatient and pediatrics.  Her research interests include exercise and diabetes and increasing function and quality of life for amputees and community dwelling older adults.  She has published in the J of Gerontology & Geriatric Medicine, J of Clinical Exercise Physiology, J of Geriatric Physical Therapy, J of Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy, and Physical Therapy. We look forward to Dr. Mathis contributing her talents in several areas including professional development, administration and leadership!

Dr. Kim Dunleavy and Dr. Twala Maresh are the 2024 recipients of the UCA Joe Finnell Distinguished Alumni Award.  We are honored to recognize these UCA grads who have made exemplary contributions to the profession of physical therapy while positively impacting the lives of so many patients, clients, students and colleagues with their skills, dedication, and love for the profession.

The Joe Finnell Distinguished Alumni Award (JFDAA) recognizes and honors UCA Physical Therapy alumni for outstanding contributions and impact to the profession or community. This year’s recipients are the 13th and 14th UCA alumni to receive the JFDAA.  Dr. Dunleavy and Dr. Maresh will be recognized at the 2024 DPT Convocation Ceremony at UCA in the Reynolds Performance Hall on Friday, August 9, 2024 at 2:00PM. The public is invited to attend.

Dr. Kim Dunleavy
Kim earned a post-professional Masters degree in physical therapy from UCA in 1992. She went on to receive a PhD in instructional technology from Wayne State University in 2008. She has been ABPTS certified in Orthopedic Physical Therapy since 1993 and has numerous other clinical certifications and credentials. She is currently a clinical professor of physical therapy at the University of Florida and has held numerous clinical practice roles in both inpatient and outpatient facilities in the United States and South Africa since 1985.

Dr. Dunleavy co-authored a book in 2019 titled, Therapeutic Exercise Prescription, has co-authored chapters in six other books and monographs, is a contributing author on almost 40 peer-reviewed publications, received numerous grant awards, and given many national and international scientific, continuing education and professional presentations.

Above all of this, Dr. Dunleavy’s greatest contributions have been her leadership and volunteer roles internationally that demonstrate her commitment to a greater good and the welfare of the human race. Her efforts on behalf of global physical therapy have positively impacted people in the countries of Haiti, Myanmar, Malawi, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, and Vietnam. In each of these countries, her work has focused on how to advance the profession of physical therapy and how physical therapy can improve societal welfare.

In 2019, Kim was honored with the Societal Impact Award from the American Physical Therapy Association recognizing leaders who demonstrate commitment and dedication to addressing issues related to societal welfare.

Dr. Twala Maresh
Twala earned a Bachelors, post-professional Masters, & Doctor of physical therapy degrees all from UCA in 1983, 1998, and 2002. She became ABPTS certified in Neurologic Physical Therapy in 2011 and currently holds emeritus status as a neurologic specialist. She retired as a senior clinical instructor in the UCA PT Department in 2023 after serving on the faculty for 27 years, where she was also a two-time finalist for the UCA Teaching Excellence Award. Twala also held numerous clinical practice roles in Texas and Arkansas. Dr. Maresh’s long and successful career included both peer-reviewed and invited scholarly publications as well as numerous scholarly and professional presentations at the state and national level in area of her expertise, which is rehabilitation for patients with spinal cord injury.

For much of her career here at UCA, Dr. Maresh coordinated and operated an on-campus pro bono physical therapy clinic where she, along with hundreds of PT students over the years, treated patients from the community. Twala also served in leadership and volunteer roles in the American Physical Therapy Association and the Arkansas Spinal Cord Commission.

Twala’s reputation is an engaging and confident communicator & educator, an approachable and gifted mentor, and a dedicated servant to things bigger than herself that benefit the community. She was honored by the Arkansas chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association with the Distinguished Service Award in 2019.

Those who nominated Twala for our distinguished alumni award said this about her…
“One of Dr. Maresh’s greatest accomplishments was her impact on clinical practice for countless PT graduates. She provided foundational elements as they came into the program and continued to foster excellence in clinical practice as they continued through more advanced coursework. She has been the go-to physical therapist in Arkansas over the years for clinicians with questions related to spinal cord injury and rehabilitation, and she has elevated the level of practice through promoting excellence and a high standard of care.”

Another person commented that “…a unique thing that makes Dr. Maresh an outstanding and inspirational person is her tremendous school pride for UCA and the UCA Physical Therapy Department in particular. Her many years of mentoring the UCA Physical Therapy Club, and proudly advocating for the UCA Physical Therapy Program as the best in the state, exemplifies the program’s and Dr. Maresh’s commitment to excellence.”

The JFDAA Committee at UCA includes faculty, alumni and previous recipients of the JFDAA.  The selection is based on nominations, and it is planned to continue as an annual award with a call for nominations taking place early each Spring semester.  Past recipients of the JFDAA include:  Susan Appling, Nat Grubbs, Mary Anne Hart, James A. Hoyme, Cecile W. Kimmer, Barbara J. Lovett, William S. Quillen, Nancy Reese, Chris Throneberry, Lisa VanHoose, Mala H. Waller, and Glenda Winborn.