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

Jackie In Dc
  • Our People
|Mar 27, 2024

Personalized Health and Well-Being student repays generosity through advocacy

In 2019, The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth student Jacqueline Green said she felt hopeless. She became pregnant while experiencing hard financial times, and she didn’t have insurance. Compounding her stress was terrible grief. Her mother-in-law suddenly passed away,...
Image1 3
  • Our People
|Mar 26, 2024

The first licensed DO in Chile is a TCOM graduate and an unlikely osteopathic physician

If you’re looking for the unlikeliest of people to practice osteopathic medicine, osteopathy, or osteopathic manipulative treatment then look no further than Patrick Wedlake, DO. So, how did a self-described “hippie from California,” end up becoming the first licensed osteopathic physician in ...
20240316 215451 1
  • Our People
|Mar 25, 2024

Six from HSC are honored as Distinguished Fellows of the National Academies of Practice

Six of the best from The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth were inducted as Distinguished Fellows from the National Academies of Practice on Saturday, March 16. Provost and executive vice president, Dr. Charles Taylor, Dr. Lillee Gelinas, an assistant professor from the ...
New Logo Hsc Install On February 16th On Ead Building.
  • Community
|Mar 22, 2024

HSC honored with Institutional Investor Award at DEC's State of Entrepreneurship

The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth’s innovation wing, HSC Next, was recently named the Institutional Investor of the Year at The Dallas Entrepreneur Center’s State of Entrepreneurship, presented by Bank of America. This recognition highlights the institution's comm...