National Physical Therapy Month 2024


Posted on October 23, 2024 by CAHP
CAHP


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From left to right: Quentin Brown and Winston Fleming are members of the Class of 2026. Colby Hildestad and Chloe Robinson are members of the Class of 2025.

National Physical Therapy Month is celebrated in October each year to raise awareness about the many benefits of physical therapy. It is also a great opportunity to show our appreciation for our physical therapy students, alumni and faculty. 


The Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the University of South Alabama offers an entry-level, first physical therapy degree that prepares graduates for professional practice. During their time in the program, students develop essential communication skills in addition to professional and manual skills and techniques.


In celebration of National Physical Therapy Month, we are highlighting four students from South’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program. Let’s get to know Quentin Brown, Winston Fleming, Colby Hildestad and Chloe Robinson!


Quentin BrownQuentin Brown


Class Year:
“Class of 2026”


Where are you from?
“Thomasville, Alabama”


What was your undergraduate major?
“Exercise science”


Why do you want to be a physical therapist?
“For me, choosing to be a PT stems from a personal experience of mine while in high school. Essentially, I want to help people get back to doing things at their highest level possible. The special thing about PT is the amount of time that you get to directly spend with your patients and the direct care that you have the opportunity to provide for them. Guiding patients from their lows and helping them reach or even ascend their goals is what I love about this profession.”


What led you to choose South?

“Coming into college, I knew that I wanted to pursue physical therapy. As I researched exercise science and physical therapy programs, South seemed like the easy choice. Fast forward four years later, South was still the easy choice as I researched DPT programs. The educational component combined with the atmosphere, beautiful campus, and proximity to home led to me choosing USA.”


What has your experience been like as a student at South?
“Overall, I have had a great experience as a student at South. I have had many caring professors who have helped me along the way and have met many great people who will be lifelong friends. South has given me many wonderful memories.”


What do you like to do outside of class and studying?
“I really enjoy doing any type of physical activity or sport. Additionally, I enjoy watching TV or movies with my fiancée.”


What are your plans after graduation?
“I am pretty open to anything at this time. We are exposed to a lot of different things while in school and during clinical rotations, so I try to keep my mind open and not think too far ahead.”


What advice would you offer to future PT students?
“I often offer two big pieces of advice to Pre-PT students, centered around remembering your why and being comfortable being uncomfortable. There will be times that you question why you are staying up late to study, or dreading taking the GRE, or need some extra motivation after making a low test grade and it is important to remember why you committed to this journey in the first place. Additionally, it is important to seek out experiences that you find uncomfortable. You never know if participating in that one research study may land you an opportunity to help conduct research, or if shadowing in that in-patient hospital may lead to you enjoying acute care PT, or what running for that one officer position may lead to in the future. Take the chances to help diversify yourself.”


What is a fun fact about yourself?
“People tend to be surprised that I'm from the South and hate seafood.”

 

W FlemingWinston Fleming


Class Year:
“2026”


Where are you from?

“Mount Jackson, Virginia”


What was your undergraduate major?

“Bachelor of Science in Pre-Physical Therapy”


Why do you want to be a physical therapist?

“I want to be a physical therapist because it gives me the opportunity to truly connect with people and improve their quality of life. There are few healthcare professions that allow you to spend as much time with patients as a physical therapist does. I love that as a PT I get to spend time gaining a patient’s trust and finding out what may be contributing to their pain and impairments beyond what shows up in their chart. Another reason I want to be a PT is because we get the opportunity to guide the process of returning a patient back to doing something they enjoy. Whether it is a high school athlete rehabbing to return to football or an elderly person improving their strength so they can go to the grocery store, physical therapists play a huge role in improving their patient’s quality of life.”


What led you to choose South?

“Initially I was drawn to South because of its proximity to Pensacola, where I went to undergrad. While working as a rehab tech at a hospital, I had the opportunity to work alongside several PTs that graduated from South. Not only did they highly recommend the program, but I also saw how great they were as clinicians each and every day. I knew that South was the right program for me and that was even more solidified in my mind after my interview. The entire interview process was very laid-back and welcoming. It felt like home!”


What has your experience been like as a student at South?

"My experience as a student at South has been wonderful so far! The DPT program has a great faculty and staff. The faculty challenges us students each day while also standing alongside us and rooting for our success. I couldn’t ask for a better group of classmates. It feels like one big family pushing each other to be successful.”


What do you like to do outside of class and studying?

“I enjoy playing golf, watching sports, and competing with my classmates in intramurals. Some of my favorite time outside of class is spent hanging out with my wife and playing with our dog, Jekyll.”


What are your plans after graduation?

“After graduation, I plan to move to Knoxville, Tennessee, and look for a physical therapist position in either acute care or outpatient orthopedics.”


What advice would you offer to future PT students?

“My advice to future PT students is to believe in yourself and have fun! Sometimes in PT school it will feel like the challenge is more than you can handle, but you would not have been accepted into a PT program if the faculty didn’t think you were capable of doing it. You can achieve anything if you trust in yourself and work hard. My other piece of advice is to spend time each week doing something that is fun and brings you joy. There will be times where you feel like you can only focus on school, but make time to do something you enjoy.”


What is a fun fact about yourself?

“World Physical Therapy Day is the same day as my birthday.”

 

C HildesteadColby Hildestad

 

Class Year:
“DPT Class of 2025”


Where are you from?
“Madison, Alabama”


What was your undergraduate major?
“Exercise science at the University of South Alabama” 


Why do you want to be a physical therapist?
“I have had multiple surgeries and injuries myself, so I have always been drawn to physical therapy as a career. I always knew I wanted to be a PT, but I have only recently realized that it is my calling. By helping a patient improve their mobility and physical independence, you improve their quality of life by indirectly improving all other aspects of their health as well. The amount of time that you get to spend with a patient while providing them care is almost unmatched in the medical field, and it allows for a genuine connection between the clinician and the patient.”


What led you to choose South?
"I originally chose South because I knew that they had a physical therapy school, and I also knew that South was the farthest in-state school from my hometown of Madison. My teenage self thought that the farther I could get away from my family, the better. I also had some great friends from high school attend South, so I felt that it was a great way for me to have a support system while also learning how to be my own person.”


What has your experience been like as a student at South?
“I have found that South is genuinely a hidden gem in the Southeast. To me, South gives you the best blend of campus life, night life, sports teams to root for, and community to be involved in, and that's not to mention that it's in an ideal location for various weekend trips to the beach, Biloxi, or the Big Easy. The faculty at South are genuine leaders in their fields, and the students and organizations on campus almost always feel like family whether you know them or not.”


What do you like to do outside of class and studying?
“Some of my hobbies include video games, playing golf, and hanging out with friends. I also enjoy attending church and small groups to provide a source of rest and life throughout the week.”


What are your plans after graduation?
“I would say that I somewhat have a plan to not have a plan, but I know that I want to ultimately pursue a role in education in the future. My current plan to start that journey is to enroll in a residency program in one of my clinical interests like neurologic PT or electrophysiology.”


What advice would you offer to future PT students?
“I would say to not put school before your own person/personal health. While school and studying are extremely vital to developing your knowledge base and passing your classes, I think that some people forget to surround themselves with people that they love and things that they like to do.”


What is a fun fact about yourself?
“I have a song on Soundcloud.”

 

C RobinsonChloe Robinson


Class Year:
“Class of 2025”


Where are you from?
“Gilbertown, Alabama”


What was your undergraduate major?
“Kinesiology exercise science”


Why do you want to be a physical therapist?
“I want to use my knowledge to help others achieve and maintain their functional goals. Physical therapy allows me to get to know my patients and help them become the best versions of themselves. I love that I get to follow my patients over a course of weeks, months, or sometimes years and celebrate the little and big wins with them. I believe that this profession will allow me to use my talents and skills to help others participate in life to their greatest ability.”


What led you to choose South?
“During my interview for PT school, the professors who interviewed me emphasized how South is like a family. I knew that the next three years were going to be challenging and felt that I needed to be in an environment where I knew the people around me truly cared about me. That is what I found here at South, and I am so thankful that I was given the privilege of attending PT school here. My classmates and my professors have truly become like family to me.”


What has your experience been like as a student at South?
“Being a student at South has been so rewarding. I have learned an ample amount of knowledge about PT while also thoroughly enjoying my time with the people that I have gone through PT school with. I could not have asked for a better class to spend almost every day with for the past two years. From tailgating at the football games to spending hours in the lab learning PT skills, I have been blessed with the best friends and classmates.”


What do you like to do outside of class and studying? 
“Outside of class and studying, I love playing sports, watching sports, hanging out with friends and family, and spending time outside. Some of my favorite memories from PT school are from playing intramural sports with my classmates. We are a competitive group and have a blast playing sports together!”


What are your plans after graduation?
“After graduation, I plan to stay in the Mobile area. I hope to get a job in the outpatient setting where I can treat neurological and orthopedic conditions with a focus on vestibular conditions.”


What advice would you offer to future PT students?
“I would encourage future PT students to enjoy the learning process. Try your best not to stress over the little things. It is a lot of information, but you are very capable of learning the information that you need to know to be a great physical therapist. Your teachers are there to guide you along the way. Most importantly, lean on your classmates when you need help. They are in the same boat as you, and you all can learn a lot from one another!”


What is a fun fact about yourself?
“I have a pet bull named Major that I bottle fed when he was a calf!”


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