SHP Alumni

School of Health Professions Distinguished Alumnus Award

The highest honor bestowed by the SHP Alumni Association is presented annually during Homecoming to one alumnus who has made major contributions to the health profession through commitment of excellence, research, education, community service and leadership roles.

2022 SHP Distinguished Alumni

Chad D. Davenport, PT, DPT, SCS
Chad Davenport

Dr. Chad Davenport was born and raised in Southeast Texas, graduating from Santa Fe High School in 1995. He then attended Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas where he graduated with a Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science and a Minor in Biology.

After completion of his undergraduate work, he sought employment at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) to continue his journey toward becoming a physical therapist (PT). He joined the Department of Rehab Services in 2000 as a rehabilitation aide for the outpatient team and later trained in the acute care setting. During this time, he continued evening classes to meet the requirements for the UTMB physical therapy program.

Initially unsuccessful in getting into the program, Dr. Davenport eventually entered the UTMB PT program in 2004. He continued to work as a rehab aide while in the physical therapy program and earned a Master of Physical Therapy degree in 2007. He then began work at the Primary Care Pavilion as an outpatient physical therapist. The development of a Doctoral program at UTMB allowed him to enter the Transitional Physical Therapy program, which he completed in 2011.

During his years as a staff PT, Dr. Davenport continued to improve his knowledge and skills by obtaining Board Specialty certifications in Orthopedics and then in Sports Physical Therapy through the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). He added a Certification Specialty in Strength and Conditioning through the National Strength and Conditioning Association to further enhance his skill set in sports rehabilitation. He went on to obtain a Credentialed Clinical Instructor designation through the APTA to assist with the education of future physical therapists.

In 2013, Dr. Davenport and his colleagues developed the UTMB Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency which earned Accreditation from the APTA the following year. This program continues to develop post-graduate physical therapists seeking Board Certification in Orthopedics. He currently serves as the Program Director and Clinical Coordinator while also serving as teaching and clinical mentoring faculty.

More recently, Dr. Davenport moved into the Team Lead position at the UTMB Sports Medicine clinic at the League City campus. Additionally, he continues to treat patients, participates in clinical research, performs peer reviews for the Journal of Sports Physical Therapy (JOSPT), and presents occasionally in clinical education settings.

In his spare time, Dr. Davenport enjoys spending time with his amazing wife, Holly, and their two sons, Ethan and Drew. He enjoys traveling, sports, and coaching his sons’ teams.

SHP Distinguished Alumni Recipients

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SHP Distinguished Alumni Award RecipientsProgramClass YearAward Year
Dorit H. Aaron, MAOccupational Therapy19771990
Maria I. Alvarado, PhD, OT/L, FAOTAOccupational Therapy19821994
Bonnie A. Benkula, MSA, MBAHealth Care Admin19962011
Janet R. Bezner, PT, PhDPhysical Therapy19811995
James R. Bluhm, BSPTPhysical Therapy19902007
Mario M. Celis, DMSc, MS, PA-C+Physician Assistant Studies19942015
Karen R. Chapman, PT, DPTPhysical Therapy19882009
Mary Daulong, BSPhysical Therapy19701991
Chad D. Davenport, PT, DPT, SCSPhysical Therapy20112022
Ruby K. Decker*Physical Therapy19611984
Beverly A. Dickerson, BSMedical Record Admin19721993
Larry C. Feeler, BSPhysical Therapy19772001
Cecilia L. Graham, PT, PhD*Physical Therapy19782014
Arene M. Gustafson, BS*Medical Technology19531983
James F. Hury III, CLSClinical Lab Sciences20042020
Wendy B. Katzman, PT, DPTSc, OCSPhysical Therapy19732021
Jaclyn F. Low, PhDOccupational Therapy1973 & 19911997
Lodie H. Massey, MA, PA-C+Physician Assistant Studies19751999
Mary B. Murphy*Medical Technology19451996
Bert N. Nash, BSMedical Technology19742003
Claire E. Peel, PhDPhysical Therapy19732002
Michael S. Pirkle, BSOccupational Therapy19972010
The Honorable Dianna D. Puccetti, BSOccupational Therapy19742000
Richard R. Rahr, EdD, MBA, PA-C*+Physician Assistant Studies19741989
Barbara A. Railey, JDMedical Technology19792004
Diane RathPhysical Therapy19752008
Marco A. RodriguezOccupational Therapy19922018
Alterra-Zoe M. Ruppert, OTR, PhDOccupational Therapy19832013
Terrance R. Sablatura, BSPhysical Therapy19802005
Herbert J. Sauer, Jr., BS*Physical Therapy19571985
Steven R. Shelton, Sr., MBA, PA-C+Physician Assistant Studies19752012
Phillip S. Sizer, Jr., PT, PhD, OCS, FAAOMPTPhysical Therapy19852019
Edith C. St. John, MEd, MTMedical Technology19661998
Linda E. Vaclavik, BSOccupational Therapy19732006
Linda D. Veale, BSOccupational Therapy19741992
Joseph D. Wendeborn, BSPhysical Therapy19601987
Laura L. Wiggs, PT, NCS,CBISPhysical Therapy19912017
Dana L. Wild, PhD, PT, PCSPhysical Therapy1986 & 20092016
Jeneatte Winfree*Physical Therapy19611982
Susan M. Wittjen, PT, PhDPhysical Therapy19741988
John W. Young, Jr., PA-C+Physician Assistant Studies19731986

* Deceased

+ Physician Assistant Studies Distinguished Alumni reside under their respective Alumni Association established in 2020.


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