Gabe Freyaldenhoven and Nat Grubbs Receive APTA Arkansas Awards

Congratulations to two outstanding UCA Physical Therapy alumni making a difference in the profession of physical therapy.  Gabe Freyaldenhoven ’98 and Nat Grubbs ’87 each received awards during the recent state association meeting held October 6-8, 2023.

Bill Taylor, President of APTA Arkansas, presented the awards on October 7th during the 7th Annual OPTimize Conference and Exhibition held in North Little Rock.

Nat Grubbs ‘87 is the Recipient of the Roy Lee Aldridge Jr. Passion for the Profession Award from APTA Arkansas

This award is for significant participation and contribution by a PT or PTA to physical therapy in Arkansas. The award recipient is someone that has made achievements in promoting physical therapy in the state, an ambassador for the profession, and embodies an overall passion for helping people through physical therapy.

Nat is an alumnus from the UCA Physical Therapy Class of 1987, owner of South Arkansas Rehabilitation in Monticello, long-time clinical partner for UCA, former UCA PT faculty member and recent recipient of the Joe Finnell Distinguished Alumni Award in 2023.

Photo Credit:  Austin Fortinberry

Gabe Freyaldenhoven ’98 is the 2023 Recipient of the Greg Wren-APTA Arkansas Legislative Award Presented by APTA Arkansas

Gabe Freyaldenhoven, PT, DPT, received the 2023 Greg Wren – APTA Arkansas Legislative Award.  This award is for significant contribution to physical therapy in Arkansas in the legislative arena; Gabe worked with lawmakers to increase reimbursement rates for pediatric therapy, he also has worked on legislation that allows private practice clinics to see adult Medicaid patients, and he serves on a national consortium that works with national payers for reimbursement of therapy services.

Gabe is an alumnus from the UCA Physical Therapy Class of 1998, owner of River Valley Therapy & Sports Medicine in Russellville, co-owner of McMaster Physical Therapy Clinic in Conway and Greenbrier, long-time clinical partner for UCA and currently serves on the Clinic Advisory Committee for the UCA DPT Program.