Dubbed the Fantastic Four, Katie Jackson, Marlei Murray, Jordan Briskey and Jasmine Duff were inseparable as they blazed through the challenges of becoming physical therapists in Faulkner’s College of Health Sciences’ inaugural Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program.
“Those girls, along with Alysia (Perkins) Cutts, have left a forever mark on my heart and made the long days and longer nights just a little bit easier,” Jackson said. “Dr. Ireland and Dr. Parrish were my guiding lights within the program; they prayed for me, encouraged me, and believed in me every step along the way. I am basically in the family, so they can’t get rid of me even though I have graduated.”
The doctor of physical therapy program at Faulkner was granted accreditation status in May 2024 by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
When Jackson initially started her undergraduate work at the University of Georgia, she wanted to be a sports journalist. However, she decided to pursue a career in physical therapy to allow her more opportunities to serve others.
After taking a gap year following her graduation with a Bachelor of Arts in journalism, Jackson was living with her parents in Auburn, AL before taking the leap to join the brand-new doctor of physical therapy program in Montgomery, AL.
“Being a part of Faulkner’s inaugural DPT cohort was a unique opportunity to shape and influence the program’s culture and lay my legacy by contributing to the foundation upon which future cohorts will build,” Jackson said. “What stuck out to me most about Faulkner was their commitment to the growth and development of the whole person and their emphasis on being servant leaders.”
Jackson’s mother was diagnosed with cancer after her graduation and in order to stay nearby, Jackson started looking at physical therapy schools in the area. A week after her mother’s diagnosis, Jackson’s boss called to inform her that their clinic had received a voicemail from Faulkner mentioning the start of the university’s physical therapy program and that they were accepting applications.
“I like to say Faulkner chose me,” Jackson said. “After that call, I immediately applied and the rest is history.”
Although academically rigorous, the doctor of physical therapy program at Faulkner is also full of compassionate and caring professors who want to see their students succeed, Jackson said.
“I honestly believe that Faulkner will be one of the best Physical Therapy programs in the state very soon,” Jackson said. “The professors do their best to foster a unique environment that promotes individual growth as a person, a student, and a future physical therapist. I graduated not only with the skills and knowledge to excel in my profession but also with a deeper understanding of myself and a commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of my patients.”
She is currently living with her sister in Charlotte, NC while she will study for boards before moving to Tysons, Virginia to start her orthopedic residency with Rehab 2 Perform.
Fellow graduate and friend, Alysia (Perkins) Cutts was working as a front desk associate, a personal trainer, and a fitness class instructor at the Country Club of Birmingham and taking prerequisite classes at Lawson State Community College before enrolling in Faulkner’s DPT program. It was her dream to help others regain their strength and independence as a physical therapist.
“Physical therapy enables people to improve their quality of life by regaining mobility, independence, and education through focused interventions and treatment,” Cutts said. “It’s immensely satisfying to watch individuals overcome obstacles in their physical growth. It is in line with my purpose to support and help people in all areas of their lives to help them live more prosperous, healthier lives.”
She previously earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise science with a focus in coaching, nutrition, and fitness from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa before deciding to make history and be a part of Faulkner’s first class for the DPT program. She was employed as a physical therapy tech at the time when her boss informed her about Faulkner’s new program.
“He suggested I apply, and Faulkner appealed to me as a Christian university as a more personal setting for my studies,” Cutts said. “It was among the hardest things I had ever done. I didn’t know whether I would be able to finish the program at Faulkner because one of my parents became seriously ill while I was enrolled, but with the support of God, my professors, and peers, I was able to do so.”
“I felt that the program put a lot of emphasis on producing excellent clinicians. To meet new demands or gaps in education, the program looked for innovative approaches,” she added. “Professors were excited to be at the forefront of innovative methods of teaching. They contributed fresh ideas and perspectives to their fields.”
Though challenging, the program also lent itself to creating fun and memorable moments and long-lasting relationships. Through shared interests and intensive study sessions, Cutts formed long-lasting bonds with friends and graduates Katie Jackson and Jordan Briskey, the rest of her class and as well as her professors, who she can now count as her colleagues.
“This is how I feel about the professors as well. I maintained contact with them both during and after my clinical rotations. Drs. Ireland, Parrish, Mount, and Fitzgerald were among the initial faculty members who profoundly impacted and transformed my life. I’m thankful for the entire staff since they genuinely have our best interests at heart,” Cutts said.
After graduation, Cutts married her husband, James, and they moved to LaGrange, Georgia where she is working at a sports rehabilitation and sports medicine outpatient clinic.
