Three doctoral students and a professor in Brenau University’s physical therapy program received awards from American Physical Therapy Association Georgia.
Jessica Streuer, Cassidy Hray, and Trevor Bond, are all students in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
Streuer earned the Georgia Foundation for Physical Therapy Founder’s Award, the highest student achievement the organization awards.
“It really validates all of the hard work I’ve put in, and the extra opportunities I’ve pursued, such as volunteering with pro bono clinics outside of school,” she said. “It took extra time, and during PT school you’re a very busy person, so it was hard to make that decision sometimes. So this validates that that choice was good for not only me but the people I was helping.”
Streuer is graduating in May. She hopes to pursue neurorehabilitation and work with spinal cord injury patients, a field she previously explored as a volunteer.
Bond received the Student and Early Career Scholarship. The scholarship is made possible by the RM Barney Poole Leadership Academy Student Scholarships program. Bond said earning the award reinforces how much effort he has put into his schooling.
“It’s a validation that I’m working toward something I want to do, and shows me that I can accomplish my goal of becoming a physical therapist, graduating and passing my boards and just heading in the right direction,” Bond said.
Hray earned the Georgia Foundation for Physical Therapy Clinical Excellence Award, which recognizes a student who is engaged in leadership, community service and scholarship, as well as demonstrating promise as a future clinical practitioner. It is sponsored by Team Rehab.
“I definitely wouldn’t have gotten this scholarship without the help of Brenau, and the opportunities I’ve had access to,” Hray said. “Our professors are a great resource and have so many connections in the profession, and that really allows us to grow our careers.”
Hray is co-director in the PT clinic at Brenau, and it is her first leadership role. Following graduation, she wants to open her own clinic. Hray and Bond will both graduate in 2026. Ross said all of the student awards required self-submission.
Professor Heather Ross, Ph.D., received the Outstanding Physical Therapist Award. Ross said she was surprised with the award, nominated by her fellow faculty members.
“It was very humbling. It was very sweet,” Ross said. “When these calls come around, state level or national level, we all try to think about a colleague who would be deserving, and make sure we promote and support each other.”
The award recognizes physical therapists who are active in promoting the profession both in the community and in legislation.
In addition to being active in the community, Ross also serves Brenau in multiple capacities, including assistant dean in the Ivester College of Health Sciences, department chair and program director for physical therapy, as well as her role as a full professor.
