Reedy Challenges Inaugural Class of DPT Students to Find Their Why
Gary Reedy, a 1978 E&H graduate and chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society, was the keynote speaker. Reedy thanked the students for being trailblazers and stepping forward to help forge “this new frontier for both the College and the Marion community.”
He reminded students that they were risk takers, as they enrolled in the program when it was still in its candidacy phase of the accreditation process.
Reedy challenged the historic class to “Find Their Why.” Why do you make the choices you make? Why did you choose the friends that you have? Why did you pursue a doctorate in Physical Therapy? Why did you come to Emory & Henry? He also encouraged the students to continue the lifelong learning they have practiced, and embrace the college motto Macte Virtute — Increase in Excellence — in all they do.
“Always care more than others think is wise, risk more than others think is safe, dream more than others think is practical, and expect more than others think is possible,” said Reedy.
A native of Rural Retreat, Va., Reedy has spent most of his adult life working to improve the health and lives of others. Since April 2015, he has served as the chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society, the nation’s largest nonprofit organization. As the Society’s top staff executive, Reedy leads the strategic direction and overall management of the organization, which has two million volunteers, 6,000 staff members, and offices in five geographic regions. Reedy worked for 37 years as a healthcare business and advocacy leader, including service as worldwide vice-president of government affairs and policy at Johnson & Johnson where he spearheaded initiatives to influence global health policies. He also served as president of OrthoBiotech, a Johnson & Johnson company with annual revenues in excess of $3 billion. After graduating from Emory & Henry College where he majored in biology, Reedy began his career at SmithKline Beecham labs in Bristol, Tennessee.
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The inaugural class of the School of Health Sciences Doctor of Physical Therapy. -
(left to right): Dakota Bostic (Rosedale, Va), Chelsea Cluesman (Jonesville, Va.), Arin French (Elizabethton, Tenn), Lindsey King (Crockett, Va.) and Whitney Osborne (Bristol, Va.) -
Tyra Pugh of Manning, South Carolina hugs a loved one after the event. -
Joe Barton of Radford, Va. poses for a picture. -
Gary Reedy and President Jake Schrum -
Dakota Bostic of Rosedale, Virginia poses for a picture with loved one -
Josh Stephens of Wytheville, Va. poses for a picture with his family. -
Tyra Pugh of Manning, S.C. gets her doctoral hood. -
Lindsey King of Crockett, Va. gets her doctoral hood. -
Lindsey King of Crockett, Va. gets her doctoral hood. -
Chase Edwards of Abingdon, Va. gets his doctoral hood. -
Chase Edwards of Abingdon, Va. gets his doctoral hood. -
Gary Reedy addresses the crowd. -
Gary Reedy provided the keynote address. -
John Graham poses for a picture prior to the start of the event. -
Students gather in the lobby of the McGlothlin Center for the Arts on the campus of Emory & Henry College. -
Faculty get ready to march. -
A nearly packed house for the inaugural commencement for the School of Health Sciences. -
Students prepare to walk across the stage for their doctoral hoods. -
Students prepare to walk across the stage for their doctoral hoods.
The following student awards embody the mission and vision of Emory & Henry College. The 2018 recipients listed below were nominated and selected by the DPT faculty for their achievements relative to the award criteria.
Civic Engagement Award: Recognizes a student for their involvement in and leadership of civic engagement in activities such as volunteerism, community-based learning or research, outreach, partnerships and curricular engagement.
2018 recipient: Jack Ambers Quesenberry of Bristol, Va.
Professional Engagement Award: Recognizes a student who demonstrates exceptional leadership abilities and professional engagement. The professional development efforts displayed contribute to the vibrant educational experience in the physical therapy program.
2018 recipient: Chase Edwards of Abingdon, Va.
Clinical Education Award: Recognizes a student who demonstrates excellent clinical skills by consistently illustrating insight and performance at a level above that expected of an entry-level physical therapist. In addition, this student exhibits initiative, professional behaviors, and takes action on opportunities in the clinical setting for professional growth.
2018 recipient: Arin Anderson French of Elizabethton, Tenn.
Dean’s Award: Recognizes a student with outstanding scholastic and leadership ability in the classroom and laboratory components of the program and exemplifies an enthusiastic commitment to learning and to the physical therapy profession.
2018 recipient: Adam Robert Pugh of Manning, S.C.
Where Some of the 2018 Graduates will Serve the Community:
Lindsey King: Smyth County Community Hospital with the Ballad Health System
Chase Edwards: Orthopedic Residency Program at ETSU in Johnson City, Tenn.
Arin French: Blount Memorial Total Rehab in Alcoa, Tenn.
Jared Lovett: Bristol Regional Medical Center, Bristol, Tenn.
Emily Jameson: Fyzical Therapy and Balance Centers in Boca Raton/Boynton Beach, Fla.
Erica Poe: Heartland Rehabilitation in Chilhowie and Wytheville, Va.
Joseph Barton: Bland County Health and Rehabilitation, Bland, Va.
Nick Skagen (from Alabama): DCH Northport Rehabilitation in Northport, Ala.
Brandy Stewart: Lifepoint Hospitals in Galax and Wytheville, Va.
Dakota Bostic: Clinch Valley Medical Center in Richlands, Va.
Whitney Osborne: Mountain City Care and Rehab in Mountain City, Tenn.
Hannah Hubbard: Cornerstone Therapy and Balance Center in Abingdon, Va.
Adam Pugh: BenchMark Physical Therapy in Marion, Va.
Katelyn Mitchell: Pulaski Health and Rehab Center, Pulaski, Va.
Josh Stephens: Bluefield Regional Medical Center in Bluefield, W.Va.
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