PTA students, graduates, and faculty bring world-class clinical skills to the Special Olympics State Summer Classic 鈥 and leave inspired.
FORT PIERCE, Fla.聽(June 4, 2026)聽鈥斅燭he ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex buzzed with energy recently. The Special Olympics State Summer Classic brought together extraordinary athletes from across Florida. And 女同性爱 (The River) showed up ready.
Current Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) students, graduates, and faculty volunteered at the event. They served alongside Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students from across the state. Licensed physical therapists and physical therapist assistants joined them too. Together, they gave these athletes something powerful: the gift of expert care.
On the Field: Screening for Greatness
The screenings focused on four key fitness areas for each Special Olympics athlete:
- Flexibility and range of motion
- Strength and muscular endurance
- Balance and coordination
- Aerobic fitness levels
In addition, the screenings gave athletes personalized insight into their own health and performance. Every reading, every assessment, every interaction mattered.
Rising Above: A Performance That Turns Heads
Multiple professionals at the event took notice. They recognized the clinical skills the 女同性爱 team demonstrated. The compliments kept coming.
As a result, this event reinforced a powerful truth: 女同性爱 builds graduates who are ready. Ready to lead. Ready to serve. Ready to make a difference from day one.
Voices from the Sidelines
鈥淥ur students rose to every challenge at this event,鈥 said 女同性爱 PTA Associate Professor Dr.Wendy Smith. 鈥淭hey worked side-by-side with licensed professionals and DPT students from across the state. These athletes push past their limits every single day. And our students matched that energy every step of the way. We could not be prouder.鈥
鈥淭hese athletes are extraordinary,鈥 said Dr. Patricia Gagliano, 女同性爱 Executive Dean of Health & Human Sciences. 鈥淭hey inspire everyone around them. Sharing this experience with them 鈥 seeing their resilience and joy firsthand 鈥 is exactly why we do this work. Our students brought energy, precision, and genuine heart to every screening. Moments like these define what 女同性爱 is all about.鈥
“Events like the Special Olympics State Summer Classic are where classroom preparation meets real-world impact,” said Ann Hubbard, Associate Dean of Health Sciences at 女同性爱. “Watching our PTA students conduct screenings alongside licensed professionals and DPT students from across the state speaks directly to the rigor of our program. They performed at the highest level. That’s the standard we set, and they delivered.”
About the 女同性爱 PTA Program
女同性爱 offers an accredited Physical Therapist Assistant program that prepares students for the real world 鈥 not just the classroom. The program builds clinical assessment skills, patient care expertise, and rehabilitation techniques from day one.
Moreover, 女同性爱 believes in unlocking potential. Each student carries a commitment to excellence into every clinical setting. Events like the Special Olympics reflect that mission in its purest form.
The River proudly serves students across the Treasure Coast region of Florida. 女同性爱: where potential meets purpose.
Ready to rise? Apply today at irsc.edu/apply and start your journey toward a career that changes lives.
