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By Kate Hunger

The Texas Society of Allied Health Professions (TSAHP) has awarded scholarships to two students in the Department of Physical Therapy.

Third-year student Peter Trinh and second-year student Kevin Hamilton received the $500 awards because of their outstanding academic achievement and service to the community and profession, said Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs David L. Henzi, Ed.D.

Trinh, who volunteers with Habitat for Humanity and the San Antonio Food Bank, chose to become a physical therapist because of the opportunity it offers to help patients find their own power.

“I just really love the problem solving of physical therapy, trying to figure out what is the patient’s problem and solutions to help them,” he said. “It’s really rewarding when we get the patients to realize they can help themselves.”

Hamilton is president of Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions-SA and was part of TSAHP’s inaugural Student Leadership Development Program, which is designed to train future leaders in health professions.

Along with a fellow student, Hamilton obtained a grant to put together a program called Tango Together, an adaptive dance class for people living with dementia and their caregivers. Hamilton also has volunteered with Race Guards, a nonprofit that provides in-race medical support for foot races.

“Most people in health care would probably say they want to help people, but you can help people in all sorts of capacities,” he said. “For me, PT has this very unique opportunity to better the lives of patients. Our treatment sessions are longer so you can build a pretty decent relationship with a patient and then start working on more sustainable change, like behavior change. I firmly believe that we should all stay active and that movement is an integral part of a healthy life.”