News

The Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Central Arkansas invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant/Associate Professor position.

Are you passionate about kinesiology, movement science, and educating the next generation of physical therapists? We’d love to hear from you!

This faculty member will contribute to teaching DPT-level clinical and foundational science coursework, with a primary emphasis in Kinesiology and Movement Science.

Join UCA PT and become part of a faculty committed to preparing future physical therapists through innovative teaching, collaboration, and student-centered education.

Learn more about the position: Assistant/Associate Professor Position Advertisement

Apply online: UCA Employment Portal

Please share with colleagues and physical therapy professionals who may be a great fit for this opportunity!

DPT Class of 2028

The University of Central Arkansas Doctor of Physical Therapy Class of 2028 celebrated their White Coat Ceremony on Saturday, October 10.  The DPT White Coat Ceremony is a symbolic event marking the transition of physical therapy students from classroom learning to clinical practice, emphasizing professionalism, ethical responsibility, and patient-centered care.  The Class of 2028 will begin their first clinical education experience later this semester.  Congratulations!

oPTimize Conference 2026

The 10th Annual APTA Arkansas OPTimize 2026 Conference was held on September 19–20, 2026, at the Doubletree Hotel & Robinson Center in Little Rock, AR, offering CEUs, networking, and professional development for PTs, PTAs, and students. UCA Physical Therapy students and faculty attended and presented research platform presentations as well as research poster presentations at the event.

Research Platform Presentations:

Effectiveness of Truama-Informed Care Curriculum in a Doctor of Physical Therapy Education Program.  Sydney Roset, DPT, PhD; Melissa Allen, DPT, PhD; Maritza Dominguez, MPT, PhD; Charlotte Yates MPT, PhD; Leah Lowe DPT, PhD.

Physical Therapy Management of a Tactical Athlete with a Thoracic Spine Injury – A Case Report.  Andrew Swatzell, SPT; Annemieke Corbitt, PT, DPT, OCS, COMT; Nthan Musso, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS; Charles Healy, PT, DPT, OCS; Jessie Zimmerman, PT, DPT, OCS, DN-cert.

Briding the GAP – Integrating Mental Health into Physical Therapy Practice for Older Adults.  Jenna Kester, SPT; Ashton Moore, SPT; Caty Royal, SPT; Abigail Everett, SPT; Mieke Corbitt, PT, DPT, OCS, COMT; Ruth Ann Mathis, PT, PhD.

Community-Integrated Interprofessional Education in Adaptive Brain Injury Wellness:  A Mixed-Methods Program Evaluation.

Perception is Reality: Exploring the Relationship Between Burnout and Engagement Among Doctor of Physical Therapy Students.  Hunter Finney, EdD, DPT; Usenime Akpanudo, EdD; Kimberly Flowers, EdD; Ruth Ann Mathis, PhD, PT.

Research Poster Presentations:

Effects of Immersive Virtual Reality Simulation on Empathy and Bias Toward Individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease.  Melissa Allen, PhD, DPT, PT; Ruth Ann Mathis, PhD, PT; Tyler Goodpasture, PT, DPT.

Balancing Strain and Motivation:  Predictors of Burnout and Engagement Among Dr. of Physical Therapy Students.  Hunter Finney, EdD, DPT; Usenime Akpanudo, EdD; Kimberly Flowers, EdD; Ruth Ann Mathis, PhD, PT.

Dr. Booth, Dr. Odom and Dr. Allen

UCA PT hosted a Clinical Educator’s Course on August 28, 2026.  The course was presented by UCA faculty members Dr. Misty Booth, Dr. Brian Odom and Dr. Melissa Allen, was entitled “Enhancing Clinical Experiences and Integrating Entry-Level Curricular Competencies and Movement Analysis Across Clinical Practice Settings”. Dr. Allen shared perspectives on Neurologic Physical Therapy Competencies and movement analysis frameworks with integration across practice settings. Dr. Odom provided guidance on effective strategies for preparing for and orienting students in the clinic. Dr. Booth introduced Master Adaptive Learning in the clinical setting as well as student-focused strategies in clinical education. We appreciate each clinical faculty member for their commitment to providing excellent clinical education and giving back to the profession!

DPT Class of 2026

Congratulations to the graduates of the UCA Doctor of Physical Therapy Class of 2026.  We are so happy for your accomplishments and look forward to your future in the profession of physical therapy.

Dr. Blakeley Walker

Congratulations to Dr. Blakeley Walker! Blakeley received the 2026 UCA Outstanding DPT Student Award. The Outstanding DPT Student is selected by the class each year as the student in the class that had the most positive impact on the class. The award is announced at DPT Convocation Ceremonies each year. Dr. Walker was presented the award by Dr. Lowe, Associate Professor and Coordinator of the DPT Program, on Friday, August 7, during DPT Convocation Ceremonies hosted the PT Department at Reynolds Performance Hall.  Dr. Walker is a member of the UCA DPT Class of 2026.

Dr. Chad Lairamore, ’00, ’09

Dr. Chad Lairamore, PT, PhD, FNAP, is the 2026 Joe Finnell Distinguished Alumni Award recipient.  Dr. Lairamore is an alumnus of the UCA PT Class of 2000 and completed his PhD in PT at UCA in 2009.  Dr. Lairamore is a Board-certified Geriatric and Neurological Physical Therapy Clinical Specialist Emeritus as well as a Distinguished Scholar and Fellow in the National Academies of Practice.  Dr. Lairamore has a long career of clinical practice, teaching, research publications, book chapters and many presentations as well as leadership roles.  His clinical work was primarily in the area of inpatient rehabilitation while working at Baptist Rehabilitation Institute in Little Rock.  His academic and leadership appointments have included Executive Vice Dean, Chair and Professor at Western University of Health Sciences Department of Physical Therapy and Associate Professor of Physical Therapy at UCA. Currently, Dr. Lairamore is Associate Dean of Interprofessional Education and Community Engagement for the College of Health and Behavioral Sciences as well as the Director of the Community Care Clinic at UCA.

The University of Central Arkansas Department of Physical Therapy will host the Doctor of Physical Therapy Convocation Ceremony on Friday, August 7, 2026, at 2:00 PM in Reynolds Performance Hall on the UCA campus in Conway, Arkansas.

The event will be livestreamed.  You can use the address below:

https://vimeo.com/event/6084706.

Dr. Maritza Dominguez

Dr. Maritza Dominguez, Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy, has two research projects on artificial intelligence.   The first is an article published May 1, 2026, in Discover Education entitled, “A qualitative study in evaluating an AI-driven patient simulation in interprofessional education.”  Dr. Dominguez collaborated with UCA colleagues including Dr. Chad Lairamore, College of Health and Behavior Sciences, Mike Casey, College of Business, Brandy Pate, Department of Occupational Therapy and Christina Jeffrey, Department of Psychology and Counseling.

• Dominguez M, Lairamore C, Casey M, Pate B, Jeffrey CE. A qualitative study in evaluating an AI-driven patient simulation in interprofessional education. Discov Educ. doi.org/10.1007/s44217-026-01528-4.

In addition, Dr. Dominguez has an article accepted for publication in Bulletin of Faculty of Physical Therapy with Dr. Leah Lowe from the UCA Department of Physical Therapy entitled, “From Artificial to Authentic A Narrative Review of Generative Artificial Intelligence’s Potential to Enhance Evidence-Informed Practice in Physical Therapy Students.”

• Dominguez M, Lowe L. From Artificial to Authentic A Narrative Review of Generative Artificial Intelligence’s Potential to Enhance Evidence-Informed Practice in Physical Therapy Students has been accepted for publication in Bulletin of Faculty of Physical Therapy.