NWACC program hits 15 year milestone

For the second straight year, a graduate of NorthWest Arkansas Community College’s Physical Therapist Assistant Program received a perfect 800 score on the National Physical Therapy Assistant Examination.

The program also marked 15 years of having its graduates achieve a 100% passing rate on the national exam.

A perfect score on the national board examination is a rare occurrence, and this year marks the second year an NWACC graduate score achieved a perfect 800. Since the test’s inception, a perfect score has been achieved on only a few occasions, said Sammi Eddie, PTA program director.

“I am so impressed with the students and faculty that have made this possible,” Eddie said.  “I think the success stems from the high quality of our students in the program and the faculty’s emphasis on critical thinking skills throughout the program. We set high expectations here, and students seem to always rise to the occasion.”

“Throughout clinical rotations and practical testing situations, students are taught to prepare many treatment scenarios for their patients, and they are then expected to implement the safest and most functionally beneficial treatment option,” she said.

The Physical Therapist Assistant program at NWACC is designed to prepare students to perform as entry-level assistants. Under the supervision of a physical therapist, entry-level PTAs provide rehabilitative care with simple or complex patients to optimize an individual's level of function after an injury or illness.

Mary Ross, dean of the Division of Health Professions, also praised the faculty for their dedication and service and Eddie for her leadership in the program. “The PTA program is one more excellent example of how our students in the Health Professions leave NWACC possessing the skills and knowledge to provide exemplary patient care to the residents of northwest Arkansas,” Ross said. 

“We are proud of all of our Health Professions students, and their dedication to such a rigorous academic program,” Ross said. “More than 90% of our graduates remain in Northwest Arkansas. What this means for our students is solid preparation for their respective career fields, and what it means for the larger community is an outstanding level of care being provided by our graduates.”