Faculty Spotlight | Dr. Tara Andrews

Driving Neurologic Care: Passion for Student Mentorship and Interprofessional Practice

Affectionately known by her students as a “Neuro Nerd,” Dr. Tara Andrews, Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy and Assistant Director of Clinical Education, finds her greatest motivation in her students, witnessing the excitement and readiness of the incoming first-year graduate students. She shared, “[The students] are trusting us to mold them into excellent clinicians and leaders in their field. Creating leaders in our field and practitioners I would trust to treat my own family is a huge motivator. ” Her department chair celebrates Dr. Andrews’ teaching excellence, noting “She teaches our neuromuscular courses, some of the most challenging in the curriculum, with remarkable skill and ease. Beyond the classroom, she has mentored countless students, many of whom have gone on to pursue advanced training through neuro residency programs.”

Dr. Andrews’ teaching approach emphasizes the integration of academic rigor and clinical expertise, exemplified through the Physical Therapy curriculum. One of her favorite events is the annual Alabama Head Injury Foundation (AHiF) Bright Ideas Camp, which is a multidisciplinary event that brings classroom learning into real-world practice. The event is planned by a large group of faculty in the College of Allied Health and is held on USA’s campus. It allows the students to develop hands-on skills by screening and providing services to local clients with traumatic brain injuries. Throughout this impactful initiative students get opportunities to work with real patients while collaborating with peers and faculty from other disciplines, including Speech Language Pathology, Audiology, Occupational Therapy, and Recreational Therapy. With this collaborative approach students learn the critical skills of interprofessional practice.

The outcomes for this activity are multifaceted and impactful, focusing on preparing students for their career. Students learn professional communication skills, deeper confidence in their clinical application, and a new appreciation for teamwork in patient care. Many identify the camp as one of the most meaningful experiences of their program. As one student reflected: “I was truly blown away by the experience of TBI camp, and realized that no matter how a patient may present, we can always make a difference.” Driven by her passion to see the expansion of neurologic physical therapy options for patients throughout the region, Dr. Andrews goes above and beyond in all that she does in the classroom and curriculum.

Outside of her professional life, she enjoys her time with her family including her husband,  14-year-old son, and 11-year-old daughter, who keep her on her toes and laughing.

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