Alumni Stories

OTD Student Makes Her Entrepreneurial Mark and Empowers Caregivers

Meet Mariah Mendez, a Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) student at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) in San Marcos. Mendez’s pioneering passion is not only changing lives but also winning accolades. A winning entrepreneurial spirit In November 2023, Mendez clinched the top spot in the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) San Diego Global

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Making an Impact in Underserved Communities

What started in 2018 with a few individuals taking part in a local fundraiser has turned into a national grassroots initiative that involves and supports hundreds annually. Known as ‘PT in the Community’, this project was formed by University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) Assistant Professor and alum F Scott Feil, PT, DPT,

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MS-SLP Graduate Connects Music with Patient Therapy Lesson

As a graduate student clinician at Pointe Meadows Health and Rehabilitation in Lehi, UT, Micki Allred (MS-SLP ’22) assisted with augmentative and alternative communication while providing aid to dementia patients. Upon graduation, she accepted a position with Pointe Meadows and Provo Rehab. In her first month of full-time employment, Allred has already impacted many people’s

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OTD Alum Becomes First Occupational Therapist in Anguilla

Upon graduation, Kniquiah Hughes, OTD, OTR/L (OTD ’21) returned to her home in the West Indies and became the first occupational therapist in Anguilla. The Caribbean island has a population of about 15,000. Then, in 2021 on World Occupational Therapy Day (October 27), she opened her own occupational therapy (OT) practice providing services to clients

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USAHS PT Alum’s Focus on Parkinson’s Unites a Florida Community

The REBLOOM Center in St. Augustine, Florida, kicked off Parkinson’s Awareness Month on March 30 with “Pints for Parkinson’s,” a month-long fundraiser hosted by local Dog Rose Brewing Company. Throughout the month of April, every pint of Orange Blossom Honey Ale sold at the brewery earned $1 for the nonprofit, which provides funding for wellness

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Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes Recognizes USAHS Alum

After winning the AFC Championship game that put the team in Super Bowl LVII, star Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes gave props to the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences alum Julie Frymyer, DPT, the Chiefs’ Assistant Athletic Trainer/Physical Therapist. Patrick Mahomes praised @Chiefs assistant trainer and PT Julie Frymeyer for designing and

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MS-SLP Alum Brings Music to the Profession

  Briona Daugherty’s (MS-SLP ’22) speech-language pathology (SLP) path began on board a cruise ship. Daugherty graduated from San Diego State University with a bachelor’s degree in theatrical performance. She studied opera and musical theater, originally wanting to be a touring singer for Broadway-style shows. After spending time as a professional singer in Las Vegas

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USAHS Students Form Student Veterans of America Chapter

Students on the USAHS campus in St. Augustine, Florida, led by Flex Master of Occupational Therapy (Flex MOT) student Lureida Soto, were inspired to form an organization to support student veterans and family members of veterans and active-duty military. What began as the FLSA Student Veterans Club in fall 2021 has grown into a chapter

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OTD Alum Aids Rural City in Earning $100,000 Access Grant

Madison Rowlison’s, OTD, OTR/L (OTD ’21) Doctor of Occupational Therapy capstone project focused on community access for elderly residents in Sunland Park, New Mexico. Sunland Park is a rural community on the U.S.-Mexico border near Las Cruces, where she resides. Dr. Rowlison worked with the city council and transportation board to make changes for better

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10 USAHS Alumni with Cool Nursing Careers—Beyond Bedside Care

It’s been an intense two-plus years for nurses on the front lines. Many in the profession are branching out into other areas of nursing—and are earning their graduate degrees to get there. In celebration of Nurses Week, we connected with recent USAHS alumni who are doing impressive things in nursing beyond bedside care. From authors

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