National Physical Therapy Month: Preparing the Next Generation of Physical Therapists
Posted on October 14, 2026
In recognition of National Physical Therapy Month in October, the Pat Capps Covey College of Allied Health Professions is highlighting students, faculty and alumni whose experiences reflect the education, clinical training and professional opportunities available through South Alabama's Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
Through their work in the classroom, clinical settings, research and professional leadership, these individuals demonstrate the many ways physical therapists help patients improve mobility, restore function and enhance quality of life.
Student Spotlight: Meagan Sellers
Meagan Sellers, a student in South Alabama's Doctor of Physical Therapy program, first became interested in physical therapy while volunteering with medically complex children at a therapeutic horseback riding center during high school.
“I loved the combination of medicine and personal skills required for physical therapy, and I was hooked from there,” Sellers said.
At South, she has found opportunities to develop academically, clinically and as a
student leader. As president of the Alabama Physical Therapy Association's Student
Special Interest Group, Sellers has gained experience working with students and professional
leaders while learning how decisions affecting the profession are made at the state
level.
One of her most meaningful experiences was participating in Bright Ideas TBI Camp, where she worked with patients alongside an interdisciplinary team.
“We were able to put our classroom skills into practice and make a difference in the lives of patients, and it was such a good week,” she said.
Sellers credited faculty, particularly Dr. Tara Andrews, for helping make the experience possible.
Her professional interests include pediatric physical therapy, particularly working with children who have complex medical and movement needs.
“The faculty at South have been amazing and have helped guide the start of my career toward clinical excellence and leadership within the profession,” Sellers said.
Faculty Spotlight: Troy Burley
Troy Burley, assistant professor in South Alabama's Physical Therapy program, brings his background in orthopedic physical therapy, musculoskeletal imaging and clinical reasoning into the classroom.
Burley said he was drawn to physical therapy by its combination of science, problem-solving
and the opportunity to improve patients' function and quality of life. Today, he enjoys
helping students develop the ability to think beyond individual tests and consider
the broader clinical picture.
“Early in their education, students often want to find the one correct test or the one correct diagnosis,” Burley said. “As they progress, they begin to recognize that clinical practice involves uncertainty and that good clinicians continually ask themselves, ‘What else could this be?’ and ‘What evidence would change my mind?’”
His research focuses on musculoskeletal imaging competency in physical therapy. He developed the Burley Readiness Examination, an assessment of foundational imaging competency, and is leading a national, multicenter study examining how that competency develops among Doctor of Physical Therapy students.
For Burley, preparing students for professional practice means developing more than technical skills. He wants graduates to think independently, recognize the limits of their knowledge and remain willing to reconsider their conclusions as new information becomes available.
“The goal is ultimately to help develop clinicians who continue to grow, question, learn, and improve the profession long after they leave the program,” he said.
Alumni Spotlight: Melissa Knight
When Melissa Knight began her physical therapy education at South Alabama, she envisioned a career in sports rehabilitation. Her path changed after a clinical experience introduced her to the possibilities of neurologic physical therapy.
Knight said South's variety of clinical opportunities helped her develop a broader understanding of the profession and discover an area of practice that better aligned with her interests.
“I realized here that neurological care was fascinating and even more suited to my
abilities than sports therapy,” she said. 
After completing a neurologic physical therapy residency in 2024, Knight began working at Methodist Rehabilitation, an inpatient rehabilitation center where she primarily treats patients recovering from strokes, spinal cord injuries and other complex neurological conditions.
She also specializes in wheelchair prescription and custom seating solutions and has remained involved in teaching and research, including serving as an adjunct faculty member at South.
Knight credits the College's emphasis on collaborative learning with preparing her for the interdisciplinary nature of her work.
“Team-based learning taught me how to identify not only my strengths, but also the strengths of others in the group,” she said.
That experience now informs her work alongside occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals.
She also credits Dr. Tara Andrews, who mentored her during PT school and continues to support her professional development.
For Knight, the greatest reward comes from helping patients and their families navigate some of life's most difficult circumstances.
“There is no greater moment than finally restoring a person to walking, when they thought walking was impossible,” she said.
