Congratulations go out to a Physical Therapy alumna who is making a splash nationally. 

Chalee Engelhard, PT, EdD, MBA, GCS (PT Class, '90), will now lead the APTA Academy of Education!

Engelhard earned her BHS in PT from Kentucky's College of Health Sciences, an MBA from Thomas More University and an EdD from the University of Cincinnati. She is a graduate of the Fellowship in Higher Education, and she currently teaches at the University of Cincinnati where she has been for over 17 years.

The APTA Academy of Education, one of the oldest sections of the American Physical Therapy Association, is committed to advancing physical therapists, physical therapist assistants and physical therapy students in their roles as educators in academic, clinical and community settings. The APTA Academy of Education supports excellence in physical therapy education and education research to better meeting the needs of patients, families and communities through strategic communication among members and across professional communities, through continuing professional development and enhanced education research, and through collaborative action within the Association.

But why did Engelhard get into Physical Therapy in the first place?

"My grandparents," she said. "They were a strong influence in my life. They told amazing stories. As I watched them age, I wanted to do all I could to help them age well."

And why did she choose the College of Health Sciences at UK?

"I chose the UK College of Health Sciences for my studies for several reasons," she said. "UK is a tradition in my family. If you go to college, UK is the place to be. I knew that I wanted to stay in Kentucky to be close to my family, and the UK CHS PT program had an amazing reputation with faculty who were giants in their field. When I went to CHS for my interview, it just felt like home. I was meant to be there. Luckily, the faculty that interviewed me agreed."

Learn more about Engelhard here: https://ow.ly/Wrwi50P0JwY