UNM Physical Therapy Program

Well-deserved congratulations are in order for two of our esteemed DPT faculty members, Dr. Eric Kruger and Dr. Rose Vallejo, who were recently promoted to the title of Associate Professor. This achievement reflects their sustained excellence in health education, service, and scholarship, as well as the lasting impact they've had on our students' education and the physical therapy profession.
Dr. Kruger has built an impactful research program examining the psychological and behavioral processes behind recovery from musculoskeletal trauma, chronic pain, and opioid use, earning national recognition and advancing interdisciplinary work across rehabilitation, psychology, and substance use disorders.
Dr. Vallejo has transformed our neurologic physical therapy curriculum through creative, intentional teaching that students describe as engaging, challenging, and inspiring. Beyond the classroom, she is an outstanding clinician and mentor through her work at the UNM Hospital Comprehensive Movement Disorder Clinic, and her leadership has expanded outreach across New Mexico, led international service-learning experiences, and strengthened faculty development across the School of Medicine.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Kruger and Dr. Vallejo on this incredible milestone!
👏🏻

Join APTA for a FREE event packed with resources to help you succeed on your application. Don't miss out — register today!

Congratulations to this year's recipients of La Tierra Sagrada’s Scholarship, who support students as they pursue their education in healthcare. Thanks to the generosity of many, 46 students across the MD, PT, PA, and OT programs each received a $6,300 scholarship – where 6 recipients were from our very own DPT Program! Congrats to Natalie Bitetti, Lauren Chafins, Scott C**n, Alexis Lucero, Taylor Montgomery, and Marcos Marmolejo who had the honor of being this year's student speaker. We are proud to celebrate these students and grateful to everyone whose generosity helps make their educational journeys possible.

We were so honored to host Rep. Stansbury for our Student Led Advocacy Day!

First day 2026

Bettina Brown, former Chair and now a member of the New Mexico Physical Therapy Licensing Board, presented to our 1st-year students today, walking them through the laws, regulations, and processes that shape how physical therapists can practice in New Mexico. Special thank you!

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1604829954986046&id=100063771691735

Thank you to everyone that came out for our West Albuquerque/Rio Rancho APTA NM Happy Hour! Appreciate everyone that attended and congratulations to the three PTs that graduated UNM's PT orthopedic residency program and celebrated passing their OCS exam by joining us! Congratulations to Marcus Cordova, Oliver Schultz and Karina!

A huge shoutout to a few students from our Class of 2027 who helped teach fellow health profession students the fundamentals of body mechanics, safe patient transfers, bed mobility on plinths, basic wheelchair parts, and gait belt-assisted mobility.

Thank you, Esperanza, Daisy, Samantha, and Garrett, for sharing your knowledge and helping provide better care for New Mexico communities. 🙏

Are you a health professional in New Mexico? Do you have student loans? Take a look at this scholarship opportunity!

The Health Professional Loan Repayment Program (HPLRP) offers eligible practicing healthcare professionals assistance with repaying outstanding student loans in exchange for working in designated New Mexico shortage areas.

Eligibility requirements include:
• Providing direct clinical care under New Mexico licensing laws
• Agreeing to work full-time in a health professional shortage area for at least three years (part-time may qualify for prorated awards)
• Being a bona fide U.S. citizen
• Being a New Mexico resident

The online application opens June 1, 2026, and closes July 31, 2026.

Don’t miss this opportunity to receive student loan repayment assistance while making a difference in New Mexico communities.

Click the link below for additional details and application information.

Health Professional Loan Repayment Program | NM HED | NM Higher Education Department The purpose of the New Mexico Health Professional Loan Repayment Program is to provide repayment for outstanding student loans of practicing health professionals.

Congratulations to our newest PT Doctors! 🎉🎓

Over the past several years, your hard work, perseverance, and sacrifice have led to this incredible milestone. As you look back on your journey, we hope you realize that every challenge and accomplishment was worth it. This achievement is also a testament to the family, friends, mentors, and classmates who stood beside you with encouragement and support along the way.

Be proud of all that you have accomplished and the opportunities that now await. On behalf of the UNM DPT Program, we wish you continued success and happiness as you begin this exciting new chapter!