Feb 20th, 2018
Blake Murphy, a Physical Therapist Assistant from Dyersburg who treats patients at their homes across a three-county area, has found success in his career with a degree from Jackson State Community College.
He graduated from the school's Physical Therapist Assistant program in 1997 after four years as a physical therapy technician at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital. Then, he passed his licensure exam.
"You get an excellent education at Jackson State, and I was well-prepared not only to practice, but take the state board exams as well," he said.
Murphy was recently recognized by his current employer - Louisiana-based LHC Group - as the company's 2017 Therapist of the Year for his commitment to patient care, professionalism and compassion for patients. His reward was a company-funded trip to New Orleans for the largest conference on physical therapy in the country.
He was selected from 300 offices in 26 states with more than 1,000 therapists as Therapist of the Month in April. He was chosen for the yearly award from the monthly winners, and he was the first Physical Therapist Assistant from his company to earn the honor.
"It was because of Jackson State and the education I got there that I was able to achieve this," he said.
As a Physical Therapist Assistant, Murphy treats patients with a variety of conditions, such as those recovering from hip replacement surgery or a car accident or who have cancer. Most of his patients are over 65 and on Medicare.
"We treat every diagnosis under the sun," he said.
He said programs like Tennessee Reconnect that encourage workers to go back to school to advance their careers are an excellent opportunity, and he would recommend Jackson State to others in the community.
"It's a great college for younger adults to get back into school and further their education."