Terry Family Establishes Endowed Scholarship for Future UTRGV Physical Therapy Students
The Terry Family
“It has been in my blood since I was a child to help others,” said Onuwa D. Terry, a Doctor of Physical Therapy in the Rio Grande Valley. Dr. Terry and his family have been proud members of the RGV for more than 20 years. The love for their community inspired them to give back in a way that would leave a lasting impact. As someone passionate about his career and who understands the importance of higher education, Dr. Terry knew donating to The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) was the perfect way to continue helping others for generations.
Dr. Terry developed a love for serving others after watching his parents – both retired guidance counselors – go out of their way to help thousands of children attend college and earn scholarships. His passion for supporting UTRGV began when he first arrived in the Rio Grande Valley, and the university was under its legacy name, The University of Texas-Pan American. Dr. Terry admired that the university was a Hispanic-serving institution that helped educate those in the area who didn’t have equal access to higher education. After attending The University of Maryland Eastern Shore, a Historically Black Land-Grant University, Dr. Terry understood the positive impact UTRGV has on the community.
Terry Physical Therapy – built on compassion
With over 25 years of experience, Dr. Terry is proud of his dedication to the profession of physical therapy. He founded his clinic, Terry Physical Therapy, in 1999 and earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from The A.T. Still University of Health Sciences, Arizona, in 2006. His priority is simple: provide every patient with high-quality care.
Dr. Terry describes physical therapy as a “hands-on” profession that requires compassion. “If you have this one core quality, you will be an excellent Doctor of Physical Therapy,” he said. He encourages this career path to students who have a love for serving and helping others.
Dr. Terry is passionate about shaping the next generation of physical therapists. At his clinic, students can
earn hands-on experience caring for patients. Dr. Terry trains students during their clinical rotations, offers
them volunteer hours in his practice, and teaches them essential skills during their internships.
The Dr. Onuwa Terry, DPT – Family Endowed Scholarship for Physical Therapy
In 2019, Dr. Terry and his family extended their support for students in the RGV community by establishing the Dr. Onuwa Terry, DPT – Family Endowed Scholarship for Physical Therapy. This scholarship will provide tremendous opportunities for students in the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at UTRGV, which will begin in 2025.
Funding the education of those with similar passions and core values is Dr. Terry’s goal. By reflecting on his personal journey through the DPT program and rigorous board exams, Dr. Terry found one way to alleviate a student’s stress load. He wants the endowed scholarship to level the playing field for those dedicated to becoming successful physical therapists but struggling with financial burdens. With fewer financial burdens, students can spend more time focusing on their studies.
Dr. Terry believes the scholarship will support everyone involved in the DPT program. “This will benefit the
faculty and staff as they will have a student who can be fully engaged and achieve success,” he said. “Faculty
and staff will have better pride in knowing their students made it through the program fully qualified.”
Improving the RGV
Pictured: Dr. Terry treating a patient at his clinic
Investing in the future of the Rio Grande Valley community is Dr. Terry’s vision for the endowment. He knows UTRGV students who receive this scholarship will contribute to the greater community. “It has always been difficult to recruit healthcare professionals to the RGV,” he said. “Now there is a possibility that when graduates begin their professional careers, they may stay in the local area and serve this population.”
Dr. Terry hopes to see more physical therapists with compassion and the ability to understand cultural differences as he does.
Aim to give back
Whether through donations, charity work, or volunteering, Dr. Terry encourages everyone to give back to their community. Making a positive change in the world must start somewhere, and it can be as simple as helping one person. He believes when we encourage philanthropy, our community members are much more compassionate and supportive of each other. “The philanthropist can be a beacon of light to guide others to be forgiving and compassionate,” he said. “Let’s get going!”
