Dr. Andrea Lissette Pantoja Graduates from Texas State University College of Health Professions with Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2020
Eagle Passan Andrea Lissette Pantoja successfully completed and graduated from Texas State University College of Health Professions with a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree on Saturday, August 8, 2020 in an emotional and moving virtual commencement ceremony honoring all of the Department of Physical Therapy graduates, including the awarding of an honorary post-humous Doctor of Physical Therapy degree to the late Dr. Erin Alexandra Miller, who passed away while enrolled in the program.
The virtual commencement ceremony kicked-off with Dr. Steve Spivey welcoming all of the graduates, faculty, and guests to the August 8 festivities.
Dr. Karen Gibbs of The Graduate College and faculty member of the College of Health Professions Department of Physical Therapy introduced the commencement speaker, Dr. Cody Miller, father of the late Dr. Erin Alexandra Miller. Dr. Miller presented a beautiful and eloquent address to the graduates while honoring her beloved daughter, Dr. Erin Alexandra Miller, with a new scholarship named in her honor at the College of Health Professions Department of Physical Therapy to a deserving student who demonstrates dedication and commitment to physical therapy and its patients. Dr. Miller concluded his moving remarks with a poem he wrote titled “Your River” dedicated to his daughter. Following Dr. Miller’s commencement address, a moving and emotional video of the late Dr. Erin Alexandra Miller was presented by fellow classmate, Dr. Amy Hooper.
Dr. Andrea Golato, Dean of The Graduate College, awarded an honorary and post-humous Doctor of Physical Therapy degree to Dr. Erin Alexandra Miller and her parents, Dr. and Mrs. Cody Miller.
Dr. Ruth B. Welborn, Dean of The College of Health Professions, presented a congratulatory speech to all of the Class of 2020 graduates.
Dr. Barbara Sanders, Chair of The College of Health Professions Department of Physical Therapy awarded the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree to each of the Class of 2020 graduates, including Dr. Andrea Lissette Pantoja of Eagle Pass, Texas.
Dr. Sanders also presented the Department of Physical Therapy Awards to the graduates for their extraordinary and outstanding achievements.
Dr. Andrea Lissette Pantoja was awarded a total of five departmental awards during the virtual commencement ceremony, including the Academic Excellence Award for maintaining a 3.8 or higher grade point average during her graduate studies at The College of Health Professions Department of Physical Therapy; the Peer Tutor Award presented by the Class of 2020 to the peer who assisted them the most while serving as a tutor mentor; the American Council of Physical Therapy Association National Honor Society Award presented for extraordinary achievement; the Alpa Eta National Honor Society Award for being among the top percentile of physical therapy graduates and who demonstrated service and volunteerism; and the Outstanding Student Clinical Performance Excellence Award.
Other awards presented were the Outstanding Scholarly Performance Award for scholarly research activity and publication of a scholarly article in a scientific journal to Dr. Rikki Patrick; the Dr. Diana Hunter Award for Outstanding Academic and Clinical Performance to Dr. Kelsey Vick; and the Texas State University Department of Physical Therapy Community Access Clinical Award to the late Dr. Erin Alexandra Miller. Other class members were also awarded one or more of the eight departmental awards listed.
Dr. Andrea Lissette Pantoja garnered five of the eight departmental awards presented at the August 8 virtual commencement ceremony, a rare feat among graduates of the Texas State University College of Health Professions Doctor of Physical Therapy Program.
Class of 2020 President Dr. Zach Buck presented a song he wrote to commemorate the three years of intensive studies and clinical programs the entire class underwent and experienced to successfully complete their Doctor of Physical Therapy degree.
A final video farewell was presented highlighting the three years of collaboration enjoyed by the entire Class of 2020 at the Texas State University Graduate College of Health Professions Department of Physical Therapy Program.
Dr. Sanders presented farewell wishes to all the members of the Class of 2020 graduates and invited them to excel in their profession and go change the world one patient at a time.
The Eagle Pass Business Journal congratulates all of the Class of 2020 graduates, but particularly to Dr. Andrea Lissette Pantoja of Eagle Pass who represented herself, her family, and the community of Eagle Pass in an exemplary and extraordinary fashion.
Dr. Andrea Lissette Pantoja is the daughter of Jesse and Margarita Pantoja of Eagle Pass, Texas. She is a graduate of Eagle Pass High School and Texas State University (twice). She is also a Gates Millennium Scholar and a Terry Scholar.
Editor’s Note: Dr. Andrea Lissette Pantoja was a high school and college intern at the Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc. and at the Law Offices of Ricardo E. Calderon in Eagle Pass, Texas. Congratulations Dr. Pantoja!
