Mega Doctor News
By Selene Rodriguez
South Texas College Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) students took a leadership role as the sole representatives from the Rio Grande Valley at the 2025 Legislative Day in Austin, advocating for extended direct access and affordable therapy services.
This event, made possible by the Texas Physical Therapy Association (TPTA) and held every two years, aims to promote patients’ rights, raise awareness about the importance of therapy and encourage individuals to prioritize their well-being through treatment.
“This is the second time STC students have participated, and I couldn’t be prouder of our students for representing their community,” said STC PTA faculty member Sharlene Polvado. “We come from an area where therapy isn’t always affordable, so we’re incredibly proud of our students for advocating for our region and the people they will soon serve.”
Recently, 10 Level 2 students, all set to graduate this May, traveled to the Texas State Capitol to meet with representatives and discuss two key issues that could greatly benefit physical therapy patients – expanding direct access to treatment and reducing co-pays to make therapy more affordable.
“Since 2019, people can seek physical therapy without a referral for up to 15 business days, depending on the physical therapists’ degree. We’re encouraging our legislators to help us extend that to 30 business days, giving patients more time and encouragement to continue their treatment without a referral,” Polvado explained. “We’re also advocating to remove physical therapy from the specialist list and make it more affordable. Even with health insurance, physical therapy can be a financial burden for families, especially if someone requires treatment more than once a week.”
STC student Marlene Villarreal expressed her belief that patients should receive the proper care they deserve without having to debate whether or not they can afford therapy.
“This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make a real difference, and I’m so grateful that through STC and this program, we were given the chance to voice our opinions on issues that matter to our community and future patients,” she said.
With an ultimate goal to earn a Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) through STC’s partnership with the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston, which selects two qualified graduates from STC a year, she is ready to make a change.
“Being out there, engaging in conversations with physical therapists and physical therapy students, I felt just as knowledgeable and involved as they were,” she said. “That’s what being a part of STC provides, the confidence and the knowledge needed to succeed in this field.”
Sharing a similar perspective, student Alexis Cantu emphasized the importance of advocacy, noting that his own lack of knowledge about physical therapy in the past had a personal, negative impact.
“At the end, it’s about the whole community,” he said. “I enrolled in STC’s program after having an injury that wasn’t treated properly, only to later discover that physical therapy could have helped me recover much faster and more effectively. That’s why advocating for the profession is so important to me. People need to understand why it’s necessary and how beneficial it can be.”
Like Villarreal, Cantu joined the program with the goal of participating in the partnership with UTMB, which offers the chance to become a therapist at a fraction of the cost.
“I came in with a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology, not fully aware of the opportunities that STC offered,” he said. “When I was deciding between a DPT program and STC, I realized that STC is much more cost-effective and closer to home.”
For more information on STC’s PTA program or other Nursing and Allied Health programs, visit nah.southtexascollege.edu/ or call 956-872-3100.
