Lighting the Way for Physical Therapy

“Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” —James 1:17

With a growing demand for physical therapy treatment nationwide, Baylor University’s Department of Physical Therapy in Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences has greatly benefited from the Light the Way Scholarship fund, which provides much needed financial aid to students in the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree program. Established by an anonymous donation in 2023 and continued by faculty, alumni, and friends of the Department, the scholarship is awarded to students who exemplify the program’s core values, while also considering their academic, financial, and Underrepresented Minority (URM) status.

Often, students with URM status are from areas that lack the capacity to provide adequate care to all who seek physical therapy treatment. Alumnus Beto Perez, DPT, is from a rural community in South Texas that has limited access to physical therapy programs. He was honored to be one of two inaugural recipients of the scholarship.

“Beto is now bringing information to individuals on how they can better optimize their musculoskeletal health early, so that they can prevent conditions that are problematic in areas like southern Texas,” said Jessica Feda, PT, DPT, DSc, Clinical Assistant Professor, and Director of Student Affairs. “That speaks to the impact we have with our scholarship—our students are going back to their communities and shifting health along the way that helps patients truly prosper in their environment.”

One of the biggest draws to Baylor Physical Therapy is that it offers a hybrid DPT program, consisting of a combination of clinical experience, on-site lab immersions, and online learning. This means students do not have to disrupt their home lives by moving to Waco, Texas, to attend school. Instead, they can learn within a hybrid environment and serve their own community.

Nicole Benbow, a member of the program’s 2025 cohort, is currently benefitting from the program’s hybrid style and the Light the Way Scholarship. Both have helped greatly with finances while also allowing her to stay close to friends and family living in California.

“After earning my undergraduate degree, I was working in Austin, Texas, which was actually where I heard great things about Baylor,” Benbow recalled. “While I was there, my best friend suffered a spinal cord injury. That was one of the reasons for me moving back to California. I am able to be closer to family and be closer to her—having a strong support system here, while still getting a great education at Baylor, is phenomenal.”

Cassie Godfrey, Assistant Director of Student Support, has seen first-hand how the Light the Way Scholarship fund motivates students. 

“It gives them that feeling of, ‘There are people who care, and they are investing in my education so that I can focus on being the best physical therapist and give back to people.’”

DoHee Kim felt this after securing his student visa. Kim, a member of the 2026 cohort, is from South Korea and living in Texas. He remembers receiving the scholarship at a time when international travel costs were a risk for him due to the depreciation of the South Korean won, his country’s currency. After learning he was a scholarship recipient, he became more confident in his decision to join Baylor’s DPT program.

“I had so much help to get me here that for a while I felt like I couldn’t do anything without help,” Kim reflected. “That was when I realized my true motivation—I should use what has been given to me to give back to others. I started to focus on what God wants me to do.”

Clinical Associate Professor Germaine Ferreira, PT, DSPT, MSPT, BHMS, has helped oversee the application process for the Light the Way Scholarship fund. She emphasizes that Baylor students reflect Christlike values. They do more than treat the physical body; they treat patients holistically and spiritually.

“We have some students who already have successful careers, but they have chosen this professional path because they feel a new career calling,” Ferreira said. “Despite the financial investment, they’re willing to do this because they have a passion.”

For alumnus Ayrton Martinez, PT, DPT, CIDN, this passion was sparked after his mother was involved in a workplace accident that required physical therapy. While helping with her home exercise plan and accompanying her to physical therapy sessions, Martinez fell in love with the practice. Initially, he graduated from Baylor with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science Studies and served in the United States Air Force from 2016 to 2020. Afterward, he joined Baylor’s DPT program and now works at an outpatient orthopedic clinic in Waco.

“I remember I had an extreme amount of gratitude upon receiving the scholarship,” Martinez said. “I had always been focused on my studies—receiving it added more fuel to the fire.”

In the future, the Light the Way Scholarship fund may expand to award students with increased aid if the Department continues to receive donations. This would ensure future students—with the same dedication and passion as previous recipients—can lessen their financial burdens. In turn, it would allow opportunities to focus on exemplifying the Department’s core values and spreading God’s gifts throughout their communities.

“By donating to this program, you are blessing some of our students along this journey,” Ferreira said. “I want that light to continue to shine. This scholarship provides the fuel to help that light glowing.”

If you would like to donate to the Light the Way Scholarship fund, please click here.

ABOUT ROBBINS COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SCIENCES AT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Established in 2014, Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences seeks to enhance health, quality of life, and human flourishing for all individuals and communities through education, research, and innovation. It includes six academic departments—Communication Sciences and Disorders; Health, Human Performance, and Recreation; Human Sciences and Design; Occupational Therapy; Physical Therapy; and Public Health—along with the Division of Health Professions, which houses the Master of Physician Assistant Studies program. Robbins College offers 13 bachelor’s degrees, eight master’s degrees, and six doctoral degrees, as well as nine graduate programs in partnership with the U.S. Army. Graduate programs in Robbins College are offered in a variety of modalities, including on campus, online, and hybrid.