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A passion for education and empowerment took recent The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth Doctor of Physical Therapy graduate Aleesia Isom from the classroom to the clinic.

In 2014, Isom began her elementary education career as a science teacher in Memphis, Tennessee. It was in the classroom that she found a love for helping those who are underserved or marginalized and empowering her students to think outside the box and dream big.

At the time, she didn’t know that her words of encouragement to her students would set her own course to a new career path.

“While I was teaching, that message was placed on my heart,” Isom said. “I realized that I could go learn science and get a doctorate just like I was telling my students that they could.”

While teaching, Isom was training for her first marathon in New York City.

“Through my training process, I really learned to believe in myself,” she said. “I also learned my passion for the body, strength and movement.”

“Physical therapy was a blend of all of these passions, confidence, education, the body. I knew that was the path for me.”

As a graduate of the University of North Texas, she looked to see if UNT offered a physical therapy degree and discovered HSC’s program. She left her teaching career in 2019 and moved home to Dallas to take the required courses she would need before applying to HSC.

With a strong sense of purpose, faith and belief in a purpose and plan for her life, Isom applied only to HSC.

Now, Isom is not only an HSC graduate, but a licensed physical therapist who will be starting her career practicing pelvic health physical therapy at a new pelvic health clinic in Sherman.

“Throughout PT school, I was trying to figure out what clinical setting would be right for me,” Isom said. “I didn’t know that pelvic floor or women’s health was an option, but as soon as I learned, I knew that was what was on my heart for how I want to use my gifts.”

“So many women struggle with their pelvic floor. I’m excited to help empower, encourage and educate women using my teaching skills one on one.”

In Isom’s new role, she will be the only pelvic floor physical therapist in the area.

“What I loved about HSC was the commitment to serving rural and underserved areas,” Isom said. “I learned so much about the disparities for women of color, and as a woman of color, I am excited that I will be advocating for those women too.”

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