Blinn recognizes 16 Physical Therapist Assistant Program graduates with celebration luncheon and awards ceremony

Blinn PTA graduates have maintained a 100% employment rate since 2019

May 7, 2026

Sixteen Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program graduates were recognized during a celebration luncheon and awards ceremony on Thursday, May 7, after completing the Blinn College District’s highly regarded program.

“Our graduates have risen to the challenge of a rigorous and highly specialized program, developing the knowledge and clinical expertise needed to succeed,” Program Director Kelsey Maki said. “It has been inspiring to watch their growth, and I look forward to the positive impact they will have as skilled and compassionate healthcare professionals.”

PTAs assist people of all ages with medical issues or health-related conditions that limit their ability to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives. Among their responsibilities, PTAs teach patients exercises to improve mobility, strength, and coordination; train patients to walk with crutches, canes, or walkers; and provide treatments such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation, heat, cold, and massage.

The spring 2026 graduating class includes:

• Lauren Bruce – Evadale, Texas
• Caleb Cavalier – Falls City, Texas
• Abby Cox – Longview, Texas
• Becca DeHoyos – Anahuac, Texas
• Jaylee Dodd – Maypearl, Texas
• Kendyl Metcalf – Zavalla, Texas
• Sarah Pack – Caldwell, Texas
• Camden Pembleton – Cypress, Texas
• Amanda Roesler – Huntsville, Texas
• Sydney Rutledge – Sugar Land, Texas
• Mireya Saucedo – Bryan, Texas
• Makenna Sherwin – Burlington, Wash.
• Nicole Soliz – Orange Grove, Texas
• Elizabeth Sylla – Bryan, Texas
• Michaela Wilke – Burton, Texas
• Haley Wilton – College Station, Texas

“I have made lifelong friends with classmates whose brilliant minds and compassionate hearts challenged and supported me through some of the most difficult and rewarding parts of this program,” Pack said. “Blinn’s PTA Program teaches more than just clinical skills. You will learn perseverance and life skills that you can apply to any hardship you may face in the future. Apart from my classmates, the professors are the heart of this program. They took the time to understand me as a person, not just as a student, and helped me recognize my strengths and areas for growth. Because of this guidance and training, I feel prepared to pursue a career in inpatient rehabilitation, with a focus on the neurological patient population.”

Blinn’s PTA Program is located at the RELLIS Academic Alliance Complex at Texas A&M-RELLIS in Bryan. Part of a 16,000-square-foot health sciences simulation center, Blinn’s physical therapy lab provides students with innovative instruction and training. At the physical therapy lab, students can put their coursework into practice immediately through hands-on simulation. Blinn students also participate in clinical rotations to gain experience prior to graduation.

Blinn has a two-year National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) first-attempt pass rate of 96% and has maintained a 100% employment rate since 2019. PTAs can gain employment in hospitals, outpatient clinics or offices, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, education or research centers, schools, hospices, workplace environments, fitness centers, sports training facilities, and military settings.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Texas maintains the highest level of employment for PTAs with a mean annual income of $72,060.

To learn more about Blinn’s PTA Program, visit www.blinn.edu/physical-therapist-assistant.