By Ryan Clark
CHS Communications Director

Stacy Fritz, PhD, PT, FAPTA, knows the importance of an acceptance letter.

In fact, she says that one of her fondest memories of being a student in the College of Health Sciences was when she received her letter of acceptance into the Physical Therapy program.

“That solidified my next step on my path,” she said. “From there, I was able to build knowledge and relationships that have lasted my lifetime.”

She was able to become a professor, a program director, and now, a Chief of Staff. And while a director, she even was able to send out some of those all-important acceptance letters.

“When I became a DPT program director, I had the privilege to send out those letters to newly accepted students,” she said. “This honor was not lost.”

Now, Fritz had received a new honor — she is the latest inductee into the CHS Hall of Fame.

“My professional degree in PT was meaningful as it defined who I was as a professional,” Fritz said. “That scope has grown over the years, but it gave me that first opportunity to explore my career and provide for myself and future family.”

A native of Columbia, S.C., Fritz graduated in 1997 with a Health Sciences bachelor’s degree and a Master of Science in Physical Therapy dual degree. With an unwavering dedication to the field, she has become a nationally recognized figure as a PT faculty, administrator, researcher and leader.

Since 2004, she has served as a professor at the University of South Carolina (USC) in the Arnold School of Public Health. From 2012-2021, she worked as the DPT Program Director, and later she transitioned into her current role as Chief of Staff for USC’s President.

Fritz’s national recognition began with her clinically relevant research on gait speed as a crucial indicator for health and function, termed the “sixth vital sign.”

With over 70 peer-reviewed publications cited over 6,800 times, nearly 140 research presentations, and prestigious awards, including being named a Catherine Worthingham Fellow of the American Physical Therapy Association in late 2023, Fritz exemplifies dedication and service to her profession.

She also recently agreed to serve as a member on the UK Physical Therapy Program Advisory Board.

And to those thinking of going down a similar path?

“Plan your route, make small goals to get to your destination,” she said. “But explore the forks in the road and enjoy the walk. You change, the path changes, and destinations change … embrace that change.”

The College of Health Sciences will be hosting a Hall of Fame induction ceremony and awards reception on Monday, March 25.  Click here to register for the event.

“We in the College of Health Sciences are so proud to honor these amazing alumni,” said CHS Dean Scott Lephart. “We celebrate the kinds of creativity, resiliency, leadership and altruism that each of these impressive former students displays. They are wonderful role models for our current students, and I can think of no one better to represent CHS.”