BT天堂

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聽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 BT天堂DPT to host this professional development opportunity on campus.

BT天堂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.

White Coat Ceremony DPT Class of 2027, October 11, 2025

The University of Central Arkansas DPT Class of 2027 held their White Coat Ceremony on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at the Windgate Center of Fine and Performing Arts.

October is National Physical Therapy Month! This month raises awareness about the many benefits of physical therapy and celebrates the work of PTs, PTAs, and students who transform lives.

This year鈥檚 theme, 鈥淧T for Future Me,鈥� highlights the important role physical therapy plays in promoting strength, mobility, and overall wellness at every age. Physical therapy supports prevention, function, and quality of life, helping people live healthier, more active lives.

Check out the for more information.

BT天堂Foundation Scholarship Reception, September 25, 2025

Physical Therapy Student Scholarships were presented on September 25, 2025, during the annual Scholarship Reception hosted by BT天堂Foundation. First year students Lani Hackney, Samantha Hopkins, Gage Johnson, Amy French, and Kara Sain received the Charlotte Mills Fant Memorial Scholarship. Third year student Jayden Dumas received the Madeline Ann Grubbs Scholarship. Second year student Braeden Johnson and third year student Abigail McBroome received the Thomas M. Meadows Memorial Scholarship. Second year students James Christopher and Taylor Zimmerman and third year students Ashlyn McCanless and Madelyn Tankersley received the Joe Finnell Physical Therapy Scholarship. These 12 awards totaled almost $9,000 made possible by private donations from BT天堂PT alumni and friends. We are grateful for these student scholarships made possible by generous contributions.

Dr. Anne Moellers

Many congrats to Anne Moellers for receiving the 2025 Outstanding Student Clinician Award presented by APTA Arkansas at the annual Optimize conference held in Fayetteville, Arkansas on September 20, 2025.聽 Dr. Moellers is a graduate of the University of Central Arkansas DPT Class of 2025.聽 She served as the president of the DPT Class of 2025 and a Teaching Assistant in the Department for Dr. Bill Bandy and Dr. Mieke Corbitt.聽 During the BT天堂DPT Convocation Ceremony held on August 8, 2025, she received the BT天堂DPT Clinical Excellence Award and was a recipient of the Academic Excellence and Research Excellence Awards.聽 Anne was also a member of the ACAPT National Physical Therapy Honor Society.聽 聽Moellers is a BT天堂Alumnus having received her BS in Health Science with a minor in Spanish before beginning the DPT Program.

Dr. Brian Odom

Congrats to Dr. Brian Odom – President Elect of APTA-Arkansas. Odom, a BT天堂faculty member and alumnus, and has served as Vice President of APTA-AR in the past, was elected President during the 2025 Optimize Conference held in Fayetteville. He will begin in January of 2026. Dr. Odom is an Assistant Professor in the PT Department at UCA, and a Certified Wound Specialist (CWS) by the American Board of Wound Management. He received his PhD in Physical Therapy from BT天堂in 2018 as well as his MS in PT in 1999, and PTA degree in 1996. Dr. Odom has been clinically active at Arkansas Children鈥檚 since 2002, taught in the PT Program at Harding for 10 years, began teaching part-time at BT天堂2005 and joined the BT天堂Program full-time in 2022. Congratulations to Dr. Odom.

The annual meeting of our state professional physical therapy organization, APTA Arkansas, was held this past weekend in Fayetteville. BT天堂was well represented with four platform presentations by BT天堂faculty including Dr. Corbitt, Dr. Lowe, Dr. Odom, and Dr. Yates and recent graduates Dr. Madeline Morgan and Dr. Kaylie Lane.

A number of BT天堂DPT students participated as volunteers at the conference to help with registration and organization. Second-year DPT student Laci Davis and first-year DPT students Trevor Fugate, Kara Sain, Lani Hackney, Brooklyn Wooldridge, and Samuel Huneycutt.

A special thanks and recognition to Dr. Leah Lowe who provided overall leadership as Conference Chair and Dr. Allen took on the role of Research Chair to organize the poster and platform presentations.

Bill Taylor, President APTA AR and Dr. Jiabey Thach

Dr. Jiabey Thach is APTA Arkansas鈥� Outstanding Physical Therapist 2025 and BT天堂DPT alumnus (2004). Dr. Thach practices in geriatric, inpatient rehabilitation and neurological settings in Fort Smith, Arkansas.