UTHSC Department of Physical Therapy

UTHSC Department of Physical Therapy The Department of Physical Therapy is a part of the College of Health Professions at the University o

PHYSICAL THERAPY
The Profession

Physical therapy is a unique and vital health profession concerned with health promotion, prevention of physical disabilities and the habilitation/rehabilitation of persons disabled by pain, disease, or injury. Physical therapy is defined as the examination, evaluation, intervention, and prevention of physical disability, movement dysfunction and pain resulting from injury, disease, disability, or other health related conditions. Physical therapy includes: (1) the performance and interpretation of tests and measurements to assess pathophysiological, pathomechanical, electrophysiological, ergonomic, and developmental deficits of bodily systems to determine diagnosis, intervention, prognosis, and prevention; (2) the planning, administration, and modification of therapeutic interventions that focus on posture, locomotion, strength, endurance, cardiopulmonary function, balance, coordination, joint mobility, flexibility, pain, healing and repair, and functional abilities in daily living skills, including work; and (3) the provision of consultative, educational, research, and other advisory services.

🏆 INTRAMURAL CHAMPIONS. UNDEFEATED. 🏀The Ballin’ Sockets just capped off an incredible season with a 60–41 championship ...
03/06/2026

🏆 INTRAMURAL CHAMPIONS. UNDEFEATED. 🏀

The Ballin’ Sockets just capped off an incredible season with a 60–41 championship win, finishing the year undefeated.

Dominant defense. Smooth ball movement. Clinical ex*****on (we’d expect nothing less 😉). From the first tip-off to the final buzzer, this squad brought the same intensity and teamwork we see in the classroom and clinic.

Future physical therapists by day… intramural legends by night.

Congratulations to the Ballin’ Sockets on bringing home the title! 🧡🔥

03/04/2026

📐How good is your clinical eye?

This week in lab, our students (and faculty 👀) put their skills to the test with a goniometry guessing game — estimating joint angles before checking with the actual measurement.

Let’s just say… some confidence levels were higher than the degrees measured 😅

Learning goniometric measurement doesn’t have to be all serious faces and landmark alignment. Sometimes the best way to sharpen your clinical accuracy is to turn it into a little friendly competition.

Who do you think had the best eye — students or faculty? 👀🦵

🎥 Video Credits: DPT1 Lida Kareisova

We loved seeing Dr. Chris-Mike Agbelie present at CSM on Integrating Behavioral Health into Stroke Rehabilitation, highl...
03/02/2026

We loved seeing Dr. Chris-Mike Agbelie present at CSM on Integrating Behavioral Health into Stroke Rehabilitation, highlighting important gaps in post-stroke care, including ongoing smoking and the significant mental health burden many survivors face.

Using national data, his research identified high-risk groups and emphasized the need for integrating behavioral health screening and collaborative care pathways directly into PT-led stroke rehabilitation. This kind of work strengthens how we think about whole-person recovery.

And maybe the best part? Seeing how excited his former students were to spend time with him at CSM. That kind of mentorship lasts well beyond the classroom!

🎓 HCOP Pre-Matriculation Academy – Apply Now!The REACH HCOP Pre-Matriculation Academy at UTHSC is designed to help under...
02/28/2026

🎓 HCOP Pre-Matriculation Academy – Apply Now!

The REACH HCOP Pre-Matriculation Academy at UTHSC is designed to help undergraduate students prepare for a future in healthcare through hands-on learning, mentorship, and professional development.

🗓 Program Dates: May 11 – June 5, 2026
⏳ Application Deadline: February 20, 2026

Participants will engage in interactive seminars, job shadowing, research experiences, and skill-building activities — all while gaining valuable insight into graduate health professions education. Students who successfully complete the 4-week academy are also eligible to receive a $2,000 stipend.

If you're passionate about making a difference in healthcare and want to strengthen your path to graduate school, this program is for you.

📩 Questions? Contact: reachproject@uthsc.edu

📞 901.448.1071

Apply now and ignite your future in healthcare! 🔥

🎓 Dr. Cody WhitefootBoard Certified in OrthopaedicsWe’re excited to highlight Dr. Cody Whitefoot, an Orthopaedic Clinica...
02/27/2026

🎓 Dr. Cody Whitefoot

Board Certified in Orthopaedics

We’re excited to highlight Dr. Cody Whitefoot, an Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) whose work bridges clinical practice, teaching, and research in motivation and learning within physical therapy education.

His commitment to clinical excellence and evidence-based practice helps prepare students to evaluate, treat, and manage musculoskeletal conditions with confidence and precision. 🦴

🎓 Dr. Barry DaleBoard Certified in Orthopaedics & SportsWe’re proud to spotlight Dr. Barry Dale, an Orthopaedic Clinical...
02/25/2026

🎓 Dr. Barry Dale

Board Certified in Orthopaedics & Sports

We’re proud to spotlight Dr. Barry Dale, an Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) and Sports Clinical Specialist (SCS), who also serves as Chair of the Department of Physical Therapy.

Dr. Dale’s clinical and research interests in overuse injuries strengthen our program’s emphasis on movement analysis, injury prevention, and performance optimization. His leadership reflects a commitment to advancing both patient care and physical therapy education. 🦴

📐 Physical Evaluation Procedures II LabLast week in lab, our DPT1 students were getting hands-on with lower extremity go...
02/24/2026

📐 Physical Evaluation Procedures II Lab

Last week in lab, our DPT1 students were getting hands-on with lower extremity goniometric measurement, because precision matters! From hip flexion to ankle dorsiflexion, they practiced lining up landmarks, reading angles, and refining technique one degree at a time.

Measuring range of motion might look simple, but accuracy takes focus (and maybe a few “hold still!” reminders 😄).

Great work to our DPT1s as they continue building the foundational skills that turn assessment into confident clinical decision-making. 🦵

🎓 Dr. Kim CarterNeurologic Clinical SpecialistWe’re proud to highlight Dr. Kim Carter, a Neurologic Clinical Specialist ...
02/23/2026

🎓 Dr. Kim Carter

Neurologic Clinical Specialist

We’re proud to highlight Dr. Kim Carter, a Neurologic Clinical Specialist (NCS) who leads our neurologic coursework at UTHSC. Her expertise in neurologic rehabilitation brings depth, precision, and real-world application to the classroom.

Through her leadership, students gain a strong foundation in managing complex neurologic conditions with confidence and evidence-based reasoning. 🧠

Last, but certainly not least, we’re proud to recognize Dr. Joe Graves, a Geriatric Clinical Specialist whose interests ...
02/20/2026

Last, but certainly not least, we’re proud to recognize Dr. Joe Graves, a Geriatric Clinical Specialist whose interests extend into research exploring the intersection of spirituality and health.

His thoughtful approach to aging, advocacy, and whole-person care models for our students the importance of addressing both physical and human dimensions of rehabilitation. 🧡

Today we’re excited to highlight another Geriatric Clinical Specialist, Dr. Kyle Huffman, whose work integrates geriatri...
02/18/2026

Today we’re excited to highlight another Geriatric Clinical Specialist, Dr. Kyle Huffman, whose work integrates geriatric care with a strong emphasis on pain neuroscience education.

His commitment to helping students understand pain through a biopsychosocial lens strengthens their ability to treat aging populations with clarity, compassion, and evidence-based reasoning. 🧠

White Coat Ceremony: DPT c/o 2028 On May 2nd, we’ll celebrate one of the most meaningful milestones in our students’ jou...
02/17/2026

White Coat Ceremony: DPT c/o 2028

On May 2nd, we’ll celebrate one of the most meaningful milestones in our students’ journey, the White Coat Ceremony for the DPT Class of 2028.

This ceremony marks their commitment to professionalism, compassion, and service as future physical therapists. It’s a moment of pride not only for our students, but for their families, faculty, and the communities they will one day serve.

If you’d like to support this special event and help us make the day meaningful for the Class of 2028, you can give here:
🔗 https://give.uthsc.edu/campaigns/44134/donations/new?a=10639592&value=100&designation_id=physi_w

Thank you for investing in the next generation of UTHSC Physical Therapy. 🧡

At UTHSC Physical Therapy, we’re proud to highlight faculty who have achieved board certification through the American B...
02/16/2026

At UTHSC Physical Therapy, we’re proud to highlight faculty who have achieved board certification through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. Over the coming weeks, we’ll spotlight our Clinical Specialists and the advanced expertise they bring to our students and the communities they serve.

This week, we’re featuring our Geriatric Clinical Specialists, beginning with Dr. Carlos Clardy, whose leadership and experience continue to shape excellence in the care of older adults.

We’re proud to spotlight Dr. Carlos Clardy, a Geriatric Clinical Specialist whose background in acute care brings depth and realism to our program. Through his teaching and work with the CHIPS simulation center, he helps students bridge classroom knowledge with the complex demands of hospital-based practice.

Dr. Clardy’s clinical insight and mentorship prepare our students to care for older adults with confidence in high-acuity settings. 🏥

Address

930 Madison Avenue , 6th Floor
Memphis, TN
38103

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

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