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.