• Home >
• Physical Therapy
• > TSU DPT Program News

Program News

 Faces and Phases

POTUS Fellows (left to right) Lauren Waller, Sylvester Boyd, Brandon Moorehead, Courtney Peterson, Dr. Karen Coker, Mike Carter, Kesha Agazuma, and Byron Moore presented research on what certifications are available for physical therapy students as well as licensed PT/PTA's at the TPTA Nashville District meeting on September 13, 2016. POTUS Fellows were able to talk one on one with the 60 clinicians and students on hand at the meeting. (Note - POTUS stands for Preparing Our Tomorrow Uniquely in STEM.")

DPT students from TSU and Belmont participated in Shoes4Kids by collecting shoes and socks for those in need. On Saturday, June 11, the shoes and socks that were collected this past year for Shoes4Kids were distributed through the Catholic Charities. It was a great success, with almost 700 shoes and over 1000 socks donated to help Nashville youth in need of new athletic shoes and socks. The TSU effort was spearheaded by Shelby Blankenship, Joanne Tan, Chasitii Smith, and Josh MacNaughton. 

Welcome to the DPT Class of 2019! June 6 marks the beginning of your three-year trek to becoming physical therapists. Best wishes on your professional journey!

Congratulations to the 34 students from the DPT Class of 2016 who graduated on May 6, 2016... Best wishes on your professional endeavors!

Congratulations are in order for Siloam Family Health Center for being recognized by the TSU Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement with the 2016 Community Partner Award. Pictured is Debbie Barnett, Director of Community Relations & Communications from Siloam, along with faculty members from the PT and OT programs. Additionally, Dr. Coker was nominated for two awards—the Faculty Award for Exemplary Service-Learning and the Faculty Engaged Scholar Award.

For the second year in a row, DPT students from the Tennessee State University won the 2nd Annual Mac Hensley Bowling Competition held at the Donelson Bowling Center on Friday, April 9, 2016. The TSU delegation (pictured from L to R: Austin Lake, Lucas Wall, Jeff Berger, Dusty Kiel, and Drew Kiel) bested all teams from other districts in the state. The traveling trophy will be displayed in the Department of Physical Therapy at Tennessee State University for the second year in a row, until the next bowling tournament winners are announced next year. The Mac Hensley Bowling Competition benefits that TPT-PAC. For more information about contributing to the PAC, contact the TPTA office at tpta@tptatn.com

Dr. Karen Coker along with DPT students from the Classes of 2016, 2017, and 2018 participated in Night to Shine, which was sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation. Students served as part of security, valet, kitchen, and Prom Buddies. Night to Shine provides an unforgettable prom night to individuals with special needs. The event was held in Mount Juliet TN on February 12, 2016. Similar events were held at the same time in 48 states and 8 countries.

Students from the DPT Class of 2018 participated in the TPTA Day on the Hill on February 9, 2016. Leading the TSU contingent are faculty members from the program including Dr. Derek Charles, Dr. Karen Coker, Dr. Deborah Edmondson.

Students from the DPT Classes of 2017 and 2018 collected toys to donate to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital in time for the holidays.

Faculty members and friends gathered at Dr. Lawrence's house on Sunday, December 13 for their holiday celebration. This is the third year that Lawrence's hosted the event.

Students from the DPT Class of 2018 showed a strong presence at the TPTA Nashville District Meeting on November 12, 2015. Conducting the business meeting was Dr. Karen Coker, Nashville District Chair. Delivering the evening's presentation was Dr. Ronald Barredo. Also present in the meeting were graduates of the TSU PT program (not pictured), including: Edwin Wilkinson (Class of 1998), W. Winn Harton (Class of 2008), and Robert Felts (Class of 2015).

Dr. Karen Coker gave a presentation on the Integumentary System to juniors at Hillsboro High School on October 27, 2010. 

Dr. Ronald Barredo was awarded the Richard McDougall Award by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) during its annual meeting in Orlando FL on October 17, 2015. The Richard McDougall Award is the highest service award given by the FSBPT to individuals who have made lasting, significant, and distinguished contributions through volunteerism for at least ten years.

As part of National Physical Therapy Month and APTA's Day of Service, Dr. Karen Coker spoke on Cancer Prevention with the seniors of Hillsboro High School's Global Academy Program on October 2 and 15, 2015. 

Students in the DPT program had a strong presence at the Blades and Bikes Duathlon held at Shelby Park in Nashville on September 20, 2015. Of the 55 volunteers present in the event, 51 were first and third year students of the DPT program. Newly-elected TPTA Nashville District Chair, Dr. Karen Coker, spearheaded the volunteer contingent from TSU.

Welcome to the DPT Class of 2018! June 1 marks the beginning of your three-year trek to becoming physical therapists. Best wishes on your professional journey!

Congratulations to the 35 students in the DPT Class of 2015 who graduated on May 8, 2015... Best wishes on your professional endeavors!

The DPT Class of 2016 participated in the University-wide Research Symposium. Research posters were presented on April 2, 2015. Not pictured were members of the class who delivered oral presentations.

TSU students from the DPT Class of 2016 won the 1st Annual Mac Hensley Bowling Competition held at the Donelson Bowling Center on Friday, March 27, 2015. The TSU delegation (L to R: Tam Tran, Scott Dunham, Drew Kiel, Jeff Berger, and Lucas Wall) bested all teams from other districts in the state. The traveling trophy will be displayed in the Department of Physical Therapy for a year until the next bowling tournament winners are crowned.  The Mac Hensley Bowling Competition benefits that TPTA-PAC.

TSU students from the DPT Class of 2017 participated in the TPTA Day on the Hill held at the State Capitol on February 11, 2015. The students were accompanied by Dr Karen Coker and Dr. Ronald Barredo.