Alumna Aleesia Isom found purpose in HSC’s School of Health Professions

Aleesia IsomA 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.”

Recent News

Danguole Altman
  • Community
|Jun 5, 2023

Innovate Fort Worth podcast: Altman of CX Precision Medicine

Danguole Altman, the CEO of CX Precision Medicine, recently sat down for an interview on the Innovate Fort Worth podcast, produced by HSC Next at The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth. During the podcast, Altman discussed her company's work in the field of Alzheimer's dis...
Latino students posing in lab clothing.
  • On Campus
|Jun 1, 2023

HSC to host free Latinos en Medicina Camp

The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth is hosting a free, weeklong Latinos en Medicina Camp for Fort Worth and Tarrant County children. The camp, which starts Monday and ends June 9, is for children ages 10-13 and aims to raise awareness about careers in health care in ...
Maria Crompton
  • Our People
|May 31, 2023

TCOM rural track graduate returns home to lead the ROME program

She’s back! Dr. Maria Crompton is the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine’s new director of Rural Medical Education at The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth. Crompton, a TCOM Rural Track graduate in 2008, has been a faculty member serving in both clinical and aca...
SHP Grads
  • Our People
|May 31, 2023

Highlighting high achievers of HSC’s Master of Science in Lifestyle Health Sciences and Coaching Program

The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth’s commencement ceremony happened to land in the middle of National Lifestyle Medicine Week. HSC’s School of Health Professions Department of Personalized Health and Well-Being celebrated these two events by conferring the degrees ...