UK St. Claire Health Workforce Scholarship Supports Future Physical Therapists Serving Eastern Ky

By Ryan Clark
CHS Communications Director

A partnership between the College of Health Sciences and UK St. Claire is investing in the future of physical therapy in Eastern Kentucky — and helping students return home to serve the communities that shaped them.

The UK DPT-UK St. Claire Health Workforce Scholarship, developed in conjunction with the Kentucky Council for Postsecondary Education’s Health Workforce Investment Fund, aims to provide up to $50,000 in support for Doctor of Physical Therapy students committed to working with UK St. Claire following graduation.

The scholarship is designed to strengthen the health care workforce in rural and underserved areas, particularly throughout Morehead and Eastern Kentucky, while helping reduce the financial burden associated with pursuing a doctoral degree.

Second-year Doctor of Physical Therapy students Austin Keith and Morgan McNabb were named the scholarship’s first recipients.

For McNabb, the scholarship carries a deeply personal connection to home.

A native of Bath County, Ky., McNabb grew up about 25 minutes from Morehead and attended Morehead State University before enrolling at UK.

“I’m especially excited for the opportunity to return home and serve the community that helped shape me,” McNabb said.

Her interest in Physical Therapy began through family connections and personal experiences as an athlete, but one experience solidified her career path.

“One moment that really solidified that this was what I wanted to do was when my granddad had a stroke,” McNabb said. “Seeing him go through rehab, watching how much those small milestones meant to him, and seeing him regain his independence reminded me exactly why I love this profession.”

McNabb said UK stood out during the admissions process because of the culture and support she experienced from faculty and staff.

“Once I interviewed at UK, I could immediately tell the difference compared to other interviews I had,” she said. “Everyone I spoke with was personable, welcoming and genuinely invested in the students.”

McNabb sees the scholarship as an opportunity to return home and help expand access to quality care in rural Kentucky communities.

“My goal is to help provide high-quality care locally, so people do not always have to travel to places like Lexington or Ashland to receive the care they need,” McNabb said. “One of the many reasons I wanted to attend UK was to learn from some of the best in the field and bring that knowledge back to Eastern Kentucky.”

For Keith, a native of Zionsville, Ind., the award represents both financial support and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact through patient care.

“When I first started college, I was on the pre-med track and thought I would end up in medical school,” Keith said. “However, as I got more exposure to various healthcare settings through shadowing and volunteering, I noticed how much more time PTs are able to spend with patients throughout the rehab process.”

Keith said those experiences helped him realize Physical Therapy aligned more closely with his long-term goals.

“I really admired the hard work and dedication of the PTs I saw working with patients across care settings,” he said.

After completing his undergraduate degree at UK, Keith decided to remain in Lexington for Physical Therapy school because of the supportive environment he found on campus and throughout the community.

“The initial appeal of UK was the feeling of community and homey feeling of campus and the greater Lexington community,” Keith said. “Everyone I interacted with as a prospective student was kind and welcoming and I have continued to have that experience throughout my time as a student here.”

Keith said receiving the scholarship was both humbling and motivating.

“Being awarded this scholarship felt incredible and I am honored to have been selected for it,” he said. “I truly appreciate the many individuals who have been involved with the behind-the-scenes efforts that went into bringing this scholarship to fruition.”

The scholarship will also create a direct pathway for Keith to work with UK St. Claire after graduation, serving communities that often face barriers to access in health care.

“Working in the UK St. Claire system will allow for outreach into underserved communities, ensuring that individuals and communities are able to receive the highest quality care possible,” Keith said. “I am excited to see what my time with UK St. Claire will bring and hope to have a positive impact throughout my time there.”

Patrick Pabian, PT, DPT, PhD and chair of the Department of Physical Therapy in the UK College of Health Sciences, said the scholarship reflects a shared commitment to addressing workforce shortages and improving health outcomes throughout the region.

“The Kentucky Council for Postsecondary Education offers a tremendous opportunity to support our students and growing workforce in areas of need through their Health Workforce Investment Fund,” Pabian said. “The Department of Physical Therapy at UK is immensely grateful for UK St. Claire’s generosity, partnership and dedication in this important initiative to strengthen our workforce.”

Pabian said the collaboration will continue to create opportunities for students while expanding access to care across Eastern Kentucky.

“We look forward to continuing to support and enhance the health care services throughout the surrounding areas of Morehead and Eastern Kentucky through these partnerships,” he said.