The University of Southern Mississippi: Kinesiotherapy

🎉💛 **Alumni Spotlight: Rhyan-Grace Hebert** 🖤

Congratulations to **KT alumna Ryan-Grace Hebert** on her acceptance into the Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) Program at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.! 👏

Rhyan-Grace recently shared that she will begin the program this fall, and we could not be more excited for her. Her acceptance into such a prestigious program is a great example of the opportunities that can begin with a degree in Kinesiotherapy at Southern Miss.

We are so proud of you, Rhyan-Grace, and cannot wait to see all you accomplish in this next chapter! 💪

🎉💛 Alumni Spotlight: Jack Phillips 🖤

Congratulations to KT alumnus Jack Phillips on his acceptance into medical school at William Carey University! 🩺👏

Jack recently shared that the guidance, mentorship, and encouragement he received throughout his time in the Kinesiotherapy program helped shape both his confidence and career path. We are incredibly proud to have been part of his journey and cannot wait to see the impact he will make in the medical field.

Your KT family is cheering you on, congratulations on this amazing accomplishment! 💪

🎓💛 Big Things Are Happening in KT! 🖤

Our graduating Kinesiotherapy class may be small this semester, but the outcomes are HUGE! 🔥 Every graduate has been accepted into the next step of their professional journey, including programs in Athletic Training, Exercise Science, and Occupational Therapy.

This is what the Kinesiotherapy program is all about, preparing students for success beyond graduation. We are incredibly proud of these students and excited to see where their journeys take them next! 💪

Celebrating excellence in Kinesiotherapy!

Please join us in congratulating our 2026 Kinesiotherapy Award recipients for their outstanding achievements, leadership, and dedication to the profession.

🏆 Kinesiotherapy Academic Award
Presented to the undergraduate Kinesiotherapy student with the highest academic achievement based on GPA. Congratulations to Justin Arechiga!

🏆 Kinesiotherapy Leadership Award
Presented to an undergraduate Kinesiotherapy student recognized by faculty for outstanding leadership within the program. Congratulations to Madelyn “Maddie” Boudreaux!

We are proud of both of these students and excited to see the impact they will continue to make in the field of Kinesiotherapy.

Excited to welcome future eagles!

In celebration of National College Decision Day, we're proud to welcome the newest Golden Eagles who have chosen to Go Gold this fall!

Shout out to Dr. Ziegler in her appointment at the CFD!

The Center for Faculty Development is thrilled to announce the appointment of our new Associate Director, Dr. Melissa Ziegler, Assistant Teaching Professor of Kinesiotherapy. Dr. Ziegler has been an active leader and participant in the CFD for some time, most recently as one of our CFD AI Faculty Fellows, ACUE facilitator, and fellow in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning cohort. As the CFD AI Faculty Fellow, Dr. Ziegler developed the curriculum and facilitation of the ACUE endorsement – AI in Higher Ed, a new program that involved 25 faculty, staff, and graduate students who completed their endorsements in March 2026. She completed two SoTL projects, one related to the incorporation of mindfulness techniques in the kinesiotherapy coursework and the other in Agentic AI usage in curricular design. She was also selected as one of the professors for the new interdisciplinary AI course, AI for Social Good, offered in Fall 2026 and was awarded an Advancing Excellence in Teaching Grant to be used to purchase equipment for internships. Other university leadership roles include Program Coordinator for Kinesiotherapy. Dr. Ziegler has a track record of excellent teaching, mentorship, and innovation, including the integration of Learning Assistants in her undergraduate courses, inclusion of high-impact practices, and guidance of students through program completion and steps toward career readiness. We are excited to welcome her as part of the team in the CFD. Her official start date will be May 20.

Congrats Bryce! Great job!

Angelique is completing her internship at Elite Physical Therapy, where she’s worked with a wide range of patients and built confidence in both communication and clinical skills.

By applying what she’s learned in the classroom, she’s gained valuable experience in exercise instruction, patient rapport, and safe, individualized care. Her biggest takeaway has been the importance of being a hands-on therapist who understands each patient’s unique needs.

Her favorite part? Watching patients make progress over time.

Southern Miss College of Nursing and Health Professions American Kinesiotherapy Association Southern Miss School Of Health Professions

Caressa is completing her internship at the Alvin C. York VA Medical Center, where she’s spent two semesters building her clinical skills through the Gerofit and MOVE programs, focusing on evaluations, exercise design, and helping veterans develop sustainable healthy habits.

📸 Here she’s using an upper body ergometer, a great option for accessible cardio and strengthening—especially for veterans with shoulder injuries.

Southern Miss College of Nursing and Health Professions American Kinesiotherapy Association Southern Miss School Of Health Professions

Woo hoo! The time is finally arrived. PA program application is now live.

The 2026 USM Physician Assistant Program admissions cycle is officially open.

Designed for individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree in any field, this graduate program prepares future Physician Assistants through a rigorous, fast-paced curriculum rooted in hands-on learning and real-world clinical experience. 🩺

Located on the scenic Gulf Park campus in Long Beach, Mississippi, students gain access to immersive simulations, clinical ultrasound integration, a virtual anatomy dissection platform, and interprofessional training experiences. Small, faculty-led groups provide personalized mentorship every step of the way.

Graduates earn a Master of Science in Medicine and are eligible to sit for the PANCE, preparing them for entry into clinical practice.

Applications are reviewed only once all materials are received. The final deadline to apply is August 31, 2026. Visit the link or scan the QR code to learn more and begin your application.

🔗https://www.usm.edu/health-professions/physician-assistant-program.php
Your path to becoming a Physician Assistant starts here. Apply now!





ARC-PA Accreditation Status
The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) Physician Assistant (PA) program is not yet accredited. The USM PA program has applied for Accreditation - Provisional from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). The USM PA program anticipates matriculating its first class in January 2027, pending achieving Accreditation - Provisional status at the July 2026 ARC-PA meeting.
Accreditation - Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding accreditation-provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students.
If the USM PA program does not achieve Accreditation - Provisional status, the program will not commence, and students will not matriculate. Accepted students will be refunded for any deposits or tuition paid.