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The new program chair for the Department of Physical Therapy, Associate Professor Bradley Tragord, PT, DPT, DSc, said he plans to encourage faculty to innovate in the classroom and in their research.

“I’m excited to serve our faculty, staff and students,” Tragord said. “We are world-class in terms of our faculty. That allows us to be positioned to make a big push in our profession, not only in San Antonio but also in the nation and internationally. For me to be able to be involved in that is a nice honor.”

Tragord, who assumed the leadership role on June 1, had served as interim chair since the December retirement of former program chair Greg Ernst. Tragord joined the department as an associate professor in 2021 after serving 22 years in the U.S. Army, where he held a variety of clinical, leadership and academic roles, including directing four different physical therapy clinics and serving as deputy commander of an ambulatory hospital. 

Tragord has served a number of roles on the faculty of the Army-Baylor Doctoral Program in Physical Therapy, including deputy program director and director of clinical education. 

“While serving as interim chair and program director of the department, Dr. Tragord demonstrated his commitment to and enthusiasm for leading our exceptional team of faculty and staff in educating and training outstanding future physical therapists,” said School of Health Professions Dean David Shelledy, PhD, RRT, FASAHP, FAARC.

Tragord said he also plans to foster collaboration between the department and clinical partners across the university.