Jonesboro, AR – Contributed – For many, continuing their education can be a financial hardship. Two Arkansas State University Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students have received $20,000 scholarships.
The “Bridging the Gap: Arkansas Physical Therapy Underserved Community Service Scholarship,” which originated in 2023, is designed to help students in the state pursue a career in physical therapy.
“We are very excited for our students who received this award because it relates directly to part of our mission to enhance and enrich the overall health of people in the Mississippi Delta region and beyond,” said Dr. Jim Farris, DPT program director.
For the past three years, numerous A-State students have received this scholarship. This year, two students were selected. The recipients are Adyson Jones of Doniphan and Macy McCormic of Imboden.
“Receiving this scholarship is incredibly meaningful to me as it ultimately helps ease the financial burden of graduate school, allowing me to focus more on my education and clinical experience,” said Jones, who will graduate in May.
To receive this scholarship, students must demonstrate a financial need, a commitment to underserved communities, their long-term vision to impact the health of underserved communities they are interested in, their goals as a physical therapist, how the award will help them achieve their goals, and provide evidence of prior community commitment.
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McCormic, who graduates in 2027, reiterated that receiving this scholarship will make a big difference for her both personally and financially.
“It makes me feel like someone believes in my goal of returning to a rural, underserved Arkansas community to serve the people there,” McCormic shared. “That kind of support is incredibly motivating to keep working hard and stay committed, accomplishing my goal of giving back to my community.”
“Knowing that others believe in my goals motivates me to continue striving to provide the best care possible to my future patients,” Jones added.
Both students said choosing the DPT program at A-State was a personal decision.
“I chose this program because A-State feels like home. I completed my undergraduate degree here and absolutely loved my experience,” said McCormic. “From the beginning, my goal has been to return to my community and give back to the people who helped shape me into who I am today. Being able to complete my education so close to home allows me to stay connected to that purpose.”
She added that those she is studying alongside in her cohort encourage one another, and are part of the reason she has been successful.
“This program has provided me with a strong foundation in both evidence-based practice and hands-on clinical skills,” Jones continued. “One thing I would want people to know is how rigorous and demanding yet rewarding the program is. Throughout the past three years, I have developed the ability to think critically from a physical therapist standpoint, adapt to each patient’s unique needs, and make a meaningful impact in their recovery.”
Recipients of this scholarship commit to working for two years in an underserved community in the state, completing the circle of the title of the award by helping to bridge the gap in access to quality care.
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