Mobility nonprofit awards nine Georgia Southern physical therapy doctoral students with scholarships
Nine students enrolled in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Georgia Southern University have been named recipients of a Ross Bowers Therapy Scholarship from the American Business Club (AMBUCS), the nationwide nonprofit organization dedicated to creating mobility and independence for people with disabilities.
The recipients of the scholarship are:
- Luke Sunderman
- Shaylan Wassner
- Kaitlyn Shepherd
- Samantha Miller
- Katie Thomsen
- Stephen Jones
- Amelia Luciani
- Jamie Richtman
- Hunter Johnson
The Ross Bowers Therapy Scholarship is awarded to exceptional graduate students in physical and occupational therapy programs. It supports educational pursuits while promoting continued service and advocacy for individuals with mobility challenges.
For many recipients, the scholarship is more than financial support—it’s a validation of their hard work.
“I’ve been involved with AMBUCS for some time and have seen the joy it brings to children through adaptive sports, bowling programs and free adaptive bikes,” said DPT student Samantha Miller. “These experiences have shaped my vision as a future physical therapist and reinforced my commitment to creating similar opportunities for my future patients.”
Shaylan Wassner was inspired to pursue her physical therapy studies after caring for her grandmother during a difficult rehabilitation journey.
“It amazed me to see the bonds she had made with her physical therapy team and the life-changing improvements physical therapy made for her,” she said. “That experience opened my eyes to the amazing impact PT can have.”
She praised Georgia Southern’s physical therapy program for offering diverse clinical experiences in orthopedics, pediatric and acute care.
“The professors bring a diverse set of expertise,” explained Wassner. “They provided me with a well-rounded education.”
For Kaitlyn Shepherd, the scholarship reflects the meaningful connections she’s made through AMBUCS.
“AMBUCS has been a place of joy and community over my last two years living in Savannah,” said Shepherd. “I’m so grateful for the financial support, but also for the memories, relationships and conversations I will always hold close to my heart.”
Amelia Luciani plans to specialize in pediatrics. She said the scholarship reflects her dedication to both education and service.
“It furthers our involvement with AMBUCS, which is important to all of us,” she said. “You have to get creative with treatment to make it fun, which makes it more fun for the therapist, too!”
Others, like Stephen Jones, were drawn to the field after witnessing unmet needs within their own families.
“Watching family members physically deteriorate due to lack of awareness about physical therapy lit a fire in me,” he explained. “I want to help families avoid that suffering by raising awareness of PT’s benefits.”
Jones credits professors like Mark Powers, Ph.D., and Haley Worst, Ph.D., for modeling patient advocacy and excellence.
“They’ve shown me that going the extra mile for patients can transform lives,” he explained.
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