Knoxville District of TN Physical Therapy Association

10/28/2025

📣 Final Call to Action! Your Vote Shapes Our District Tomorrow!

Just a quick reminder: Our vital District Chair and Vice Chair elections will take place at tomorrow's Business Meeting and CEU event.

This is your chance to directly select the leaders who will advocate for our profession and guide our local district's initiatives.

🗳️ Review the Candidates: We encourage everyone to read the candidate statements and learn why they are seeking office before the meeting starts. Their vision for our district is posted below their photos in this thread.

📅 Join Us Tomorrow!
What: Business Meeting & CEU: Developing a Holistic Care Approach to Concussion Recovery.
When: Tuesday, October 28th, 6p-8p In person @ UTK campus HPER 243 or by Zoom.

10/23/2025

10/23/2025

This year, for PT Day of Service, our team chose to dedicate our time to the Down Syndrome Awareness Group of East Tennessee at their annual Buddy Walk on Sunday, October 19, 2025.

Even though the weather wasn't ideal, the joy and connection under the World's Fair Park Amphitheater were undeniable. We had a blast managing the photo booth, helping participants pick out fun accessories, and making sure everyone felt encouraged to be silly for the 360 camera! Seeing so many people show up to support the DSAGETN mission truly highlighted the strength of our community. Events like these reinforce our commitment to serving and celebrating all members of East Tennessee.

10/19/2025

We had a blast helping with this Photo Booth at the Buddy Walk!

10/14/2025

Next District Meeting Oct. 28, 2025! This is going to be a great event! We will have a Zoom option. If you are a member, we will need your member number for voting purposes.

10/13/2025

Spotlight: Meet Steven Shults! 🥋📚

Today, we're celebrating the multi-talented Steven Shults, M.S., MPH, PTA, who brings 16 years of clinical practice and a profound passion for education to the profession!

🏥 From Clinic to Classroom
Steven has been a licensed PTA since 2009, initially dedicating over a decade to skilled nursing care. His desire to help others blossomed from patient care into education, where he now serves as a dedicated full-time instructor in the South College-PTA program. His ultimate "why" has evolved from helping patients regain function to a stronger passion for helping students transition into thoughtful and empathetic PTA practitioners.

🌟 Mastery Inside and Out
Steven’s impressive accomplishments go far beyond the clinic! Did you know:

He is a 5th-Degree Black Belt and holds the teaching title "Renshi" in three different martial arts (Isshinryu karate, Isshin-Jujitsu, and Neko Ryu Goshin Jitsu)!

He's an author, having written and published three books, including Concentric Circle Jujitsu.

He is currently working on his EdD dissertation focusing on Instructional Design.

His secret therapy? Landscaping! He finds peace (and sometimes theological questioning) while working around the house.

He is the proud owner of a spoiled, sweet pit bull named JoeJoe!

Join us in celebrating Steven Shults's remarkable dedication to teaching, writing, and mastery! Drop a comment to congratulate him on his upcoming dissertation phase! 👇

10/06/2025

Spotlight: Meet Matt Smith! 🎶 PT, Specialist Coordinator, and Live Music Connoisseur!

This week, we're shouting out our fantastic colleague, Matt Smith, from the Benchmark Physical Therapy – North Peters Clinic!

🌟 The Professional Side
With 15 years of practice since graduating from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, Matt is a true leader in his field.

Not only does he treat a variety of orthopedic issues—with a special focus on spine, chronic pain, and headaches—but he's also the Knoxville Region Specialties Coordinator for all Benchmark and Results clinics! That means he’s the go-to person for specialties like pelvic health, lymphedema, pediatrics, vestibular, and hand therapy. As he puts it, his pediatric and lymphedema patients add a "tremendous amount of value" to his day by stretching his versatility as a therapist.

Matt truly prides himself on developing those personal relationships with patients to unlock their motivation and get them back to an active, healthy life!

💡 The Rewarding Story
One of Matt's most rewarding moments came from treating four generations of a single family in one year! He started with an adolescent athletic injury, moved on to treating the mom's chronic back pain, helped grandma recover from a hip replacement so she could dance to Dolly Parton, and finally treated great-grandma for vestibular dysfunction. He shares, "The whole family was dancing at discharge." What an amazing testament to the power of physical therapy!

🤘 The Fun Facts
When he’s not helping patients, you can probably find Matt near a stage! He is an avid live music fan and frequently plans his trips around concerts and festivals—from The Sphere in Vegas to Red Rocks in Denver. He knew his wife was the one at a Bonnie Raitt concert, and he’s now sharing his passion by taking his kids to festivals. He seeks out music that’s "normal and weird, quiet and loud, thoughtful and irreverent."

We're so lucky to have Matt's passion, expertise, and dedication in the profession! Give him a shout-out in the comments! 👇

10/01/2025

Mark your calendars! 🗓️

This year for the PT Day of Service, we are thrilled to partner with the Down Syndrome Awareness Group of East Tennessee for their annual Buddy Walk!

Join us on Sunday, October 19, 2025 (the day after the UT vs. Alabama game!) to support this incredible community event. There are several ways to volunteer that don't require a full-day commitment, so everyone can pitch in.

This group holds a special place in our hearts and is dear to one of our own amazing PTAs. Check out the video below to see why the Buddy Walk means so much to so many. 👇

Ready to make a difference? Register here: [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScN-sDKKpsO_fHH_2fW2wqsxFa2bZrW8_a_VI-8E0wyAWhGHw/viewform?usp=send_form

Please see the attached flyer for directions on next steps after you register.

We can't wait to see you there!

10/01/2025

News from American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)

09/29/2025

Announcing the Slate for APTA TN Knoxville District Vice Chair.

Voting will take place at our meeting on Oct. 28, 2025. The meeting will take place both in person and on zoom.

Below are the candidates with their statements in the caption of their pictures. Please feel free to reach out with any questions to Rabekah, District Chair, or APTA TN. T

09/29/2025