Dr. Renee Pruitt, director of the physical therapist assistant program at Lone Star College-Montgomery, has been selected to serve on the external advisory board for the Bridge Program at the University of Texas Medical Branch School of Health Professions.
This program, which is still in the planning stages, will provide physical therapy students a pathway to admission to the doctor of physical therapy (DPT) program at UTMB. Pruitt will assist in developing admission criteria, curriculum, mentoring processes, and retention strategies for qualified participants.
 The director of Lone Star College-Montgomery’s physical therapist assistant program has been selected to serve on the advisory board for the Bridge Program at the University of Texas Medical Branch School of Health Professions. Dr. Renee Pruitt will help provide pathways for students across the state to enroll in the doctor of physical therapy (DPT) program at UTMB. |
“I see such big changes in students who have the internal drive, but may not have the steps to achieve their goals,” said Pruitt, who has more than 30 years combined experience in the physical therapy and administrative development of the healthcare field. “I’m happy to create that pathway and provide them the steps.”
Since 2001, Pruitt has served at LSC-Montgomery, which offers a fully-accredited physical therapist assistant (PTA) associate of applied science degree program. Graduates from the program are eligible for the national licensure exam. Job placement rates in the program are high, and some graduates continue on to earn their bachelor’s degree or even their DPT.
PTA’s work in hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation facilities, or even in home health care to assist in patients’ mobility, provide pain relief, and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities.
“Starting a community college like LSC-Montgomery is the right choice,” she said. “There are smaller classes, a better student to teacher ratio, and really, it makes the local economy stronger. 83 percent of students from our PTA program have ended up working in our own community.”
Information sessions for students interested in the PTA program at LSC-Montgomery occur monthly. The next session is scheduled for Thursday, August 15, from 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m., in the Health Science Center (Building B), Room 102.
For more information, visit LoneStar.edu/physical-therapist-assistant-dept-montgomery.
LSC-Montgomery is located at 3200 College Park Drive, one-half mile west of Interstate 45, between Conroe and The Woodlands. For more information about the college, call 936.273.7000, or visit www.LoneStar.edu/montgomery.
Lone Star College System has been opening doors to a better community for 40 years. Founded in 1973, LSCS remains steadfast in its commitment to student success and credential completion. Today, with 78,000 students in credit classes, and a total enrollment of more than 90,000, Lone Star College System is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area and the fastest-growing community college system in the nation. Dr. Richard Carpenter is the chancellor of LSCS, which consists of six colleges including LSC-CyFair, LSC-Kingwood, LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris, LSC-Tomball and LSC-University Park, five centers, LSC-University Center at Montgomery, LSC-University Center at University Park, Lone Star Corporate College, and LSC-Online. To learn more visit LoneStar.edu.