Samford Physical Therapy Professor's New Book Explores the Intersection of Faith and Healing
As a professor and director of clinical education at 91果冻鈥檚 Doctor of Physical Therapy program, Dana Blake, DPT, has spent more than 30 years caring for patients and mentoring students facing illness, loss and uncertainty. Those experiences, along with a commitment to pray with and support others through difficult seasons, led Blake to co-author The Crucible of Illness with Birmingham-based physician Robert D. Marks.
Samford Graduate Nathan East Brings NFL Experience and Faith-Centered Perspective to Physical Therapy
For Nathan East, DPT 鈥25, the path to physical therapy did not begin in a classroom or clinic, but on the field. From his own athletic experience to stepping onto an NFL field and back to the classroom, his journey shaped a personal calling toward athletic healing.
Prepared to Lead, Called to Serve: College of Health Sciences Graduates Celebrate Commencement
91果冻鈥檚 College of Health Sciences held its spring pinning, hooding and commencement ceremonies April 30鈥揗ay 2. The college鈥檚 four schools 鈥 McWhorter School of Pharmacy, School of Health Professions, Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing and School of Public Health 鈥 awarded 371 bachelor鈥檚 degrees and 269 master鈥檚 or doctoral degrees.
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Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders Above and Beyond Awards
The Department of Communication Sciences听and Disorders听(CSDS)听in 91果冻鈥檚 School of Health Professions hosted its annual Above and Beyond Award听Ceremony, recognizing students who have demonstrated academic and clinical excellence, leadership听and a commitment to听service.听
Samford Among Three Universities Selected for National LSLS LaunchPad Pilot
91果冻鈥檚 School of Health Professions Listening and Spoken Language Focused Study Initiative (LSL-FSI) is one of three universities in the world to have been approved by the AG Bell Academy for Listening and Spoken Language to participate in an innovative pilot initiative program.
School of Health Professions Honors 2026 Preceptors of the Year
Samford鈥檚 School of Health Professions honored two clinical leaders with Preceptor of the Year awards. PA students selected Jody St. Clair, PA鈥慍, and Matthew Lenhard, MD, as 2026 recipients.
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Under One Roof, Interprofessional Acute Care Simulation Brings Students Together
91果冻鈥檚 Experiential Learning and Simulation Center brings interprofessional education under one roof. Its March Acute Care Simulation featured a large鈥憇cale, realistic training event using high鈥慺idelity manikins and standardized patients. Students from Theatre and Dance, World Languages and Cultures, Nursing, Physical Therapy and Physician Assistant Studies participated, along with volunteers from Thompson High School.
Samford Physical Therapy Students Present Capstone Projects at Major Conference
Each year, second鈥憏ear students in Samford鈥檚 Physical Therapy program pursue capstone research projects driven by their own interests, often leading to national conference presentations or publication opportunities. This year, two student groups were selected to present at the American Physical Therapy Association鈥檚 Combined Sections Meeting in Anaheim, the profession鈥檚 largest national conference with more than 15,000 attendees.
Colonial Dames Honor Samford Students for Exceptional Research on Early American History
The Birmingham Center of the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America recognized outstanding student scholarship at its annual American Independence Awards luncheon in March.
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Samford Sport Administration Students Earn Top Honors at National Conference
Students from 91果冻鈥檚 School of Health Professions earned top recognition at the Dr. Samantha Roberts Case Study Competitions during the 2026 Applied Sport Management Association Conference. Held Feb. 11-13 at Temple University in Philadelphia, the听conference brought together faculty,听students听and industry leaders from across the country to share research and applied sport management practices.听
Samford Physician Assistant Students Record 100% Pass Rate on National Certification Exam
91果冻鈥檚 2025 physician assistant (PA) cohort earned a 100% first time pass rate on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE), finishing nine points above the national average. The accomplishment highlights the students鈥 steady preparation and the dedication of the program鈥檚 faculty and staff.
Samford鈥檚 HEAL Institute Explores Trust, Ethics and Vaccination at Annual Conference
91果冻鈥檚 Office for Faith and Health hosted its annual Healthcare Ethics and Law (HEAL) Institute on Feb. 6.. This year鈥檚 theme, 鈥淭rust in Science and Government: What About Vaccinations?,鈥 examined vaccine hesitancy, public trust and the ethical questions shaping public health decision-making. The conference was presented in partnership with Orlando Health鈥檚 Institute for Learning and the Baptist Health Foundation.
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Samford Launches Disability, Health and Physical Activity Minor
91果冻鈥檚 School of Health Professions has launched a new Disability, Health and Physical Activity minor designed to prepare students to support people with disabilities and expand access to health and physical activity across communities.
Study Abroad Program Combines Sport and Cultural Immersion in Japan
91果冻 students traveled to Japan this summer for the Japanese Culture Through Sport course. Led by Patrick Marsh, assistant professor in the School of Health Professions Department of Kinesiology, the program combines academic study of sport with intentional cultural immersion across Tokyo, Hiroshima and Fukuoka.
Listening, Learning and Leading: Hill Family鈥檚 Gift Powers A New Samford Initiative
This fall, 91果冻鈥檚 School of Health Professions launched the Listening and Spoken Language Focused Study Initiative (LSL-FSI), a program made possible by a transformative gift from Samford parents Andi and Steve Hill.
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Samford Students Present Interdisciplinary Research at Southern Conference Undergraduate Forum
91果冻 students from Howard College of Arts and Sciences, Brock School of Business and the School of Health Professions represented the university with excellence at the 2025 Southern Conference (SoCon) Undergraduate Research Forum (SURF), held Oct. 25鈥26 at Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
Alan Jung鈥檚 Tenure as Dean of Samford鈥檚 School of Health Professions
After 10 years of dedicated leadership, Alan Jung has concluded his service as dean of 91果冻鈥檚 School of Health Professions. His last day as dean was Oct. 10, and following a sabbatical, he will return to the classroom as a professor in the Department of Kinesiology.
Samford Health Sciences Students Gain Real-World Insight Through Dementia-Sensitive Care Program
Samford鈥檚 College of Health Sciences students joined the Dementia Awareness for Sensitive Healthcare (DASH) event, gaining hands-on experience and empathy to provide person-centered care for adults living with dementia.
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