UIW Unveils New Name for School of Physical Therapy

San Antonio – April 19, 2024 – The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) is proud to announce the renaming of the UIW School of Physical Therapy, which will now be recognized as the UIW School of Rehabilitation Sciences. Dozens of students, faculty, staff and UIW leadership gathered at the Saidoff Center on San Antonio’s northwest side on the afternoon of Wednesday, April 10 for the official unveiling of the new name.

“Many of us reflected on and searched for a name that would honor the origins of the school as a premiere destination for the highest caliber education in physical therapy,” said Dr. Thomas M. Evans, UIW president. “A new name also needed to reflect the tremendous growth that we have experienced in the recent past and take into account that the journey ahead may yet present more opportunities for us to continue to develop, grow and express our Mission in new ways.”

UIW started its Doctor of Physical Therapy degree program and opened the school at the corner of Guilbeau and Tezel in August of 2012. In 2021, the university moved its Master of Athletic Training program from the UIW School of Nursing and Health Professions to the School of Physical Therapy. Then, in August of 2023, the university welcomed its first cohort in the new Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree program.

According to Dr. Stephen Goffar, dean of the School of Rehabilitation Sciences, “The faculty and staff explored the definitions of each profession as defined by their national organizations and, while the chosen name does not encompass all aspects of all three professions, it is satisfactorily inclusive enough to demonstrate mutual respect and promote interprofessional collaboration in the classroom, clinic and community.”

In April 2023, the UIW OTD program received a $5.2 million grant from the Department of Education to work with Southside ISD and South San ISD on mental health programs for their students.

MEDIA CONTACT: Michael Valdes, Media and Public Relations Manager, Office of Communications & Brand Marketing, (210) 829-6001, (210) 422-4052 or michael.valdes@uiwtx.edu

About UIW

With over 140 years of tradition, the University of the Incarnate Word is committed to educational excellence in a context of faith in Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Word of God. UIW programs constitute a liberal education that fosters a well-grounded intellectual resilience, a disposition toward lifelong learning, and an acceptance of responsibility for the ethical consequences of our ideas and actions. Founded in 1881, UIW is the largest Catholic university in the state and the fourth largest private university in Texas. UIW students can choose from degrees offered at the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels. The University is committed to graduating students with the lowest amount of debt load possible and to help them secure a career that lifts their lives, their families and their communities. With a beautiful main campus in the heart of San Antonio, in 2019, UIW purchased a 10-acre landmark property at 4119 Broadway which increased the footprint of the UIW Broadway Campus by 15%. The building is now known as Founders Hall.  UIW has locations throughout San Antonio, South and Central Texas, two campuses in Mexico and a European Study Center in Strasbourg, France.  UIW is a leader in international education, with over 146 “sister schools” in 45 countries and it is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution. The University is a member of the NCAA Division I Southland Conference and is proud to have 25 teams representing 14 different sports. UIW is a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word.