The American Health Council Appoints Dr. Barry A. Jackson, PT, DPT to the Physical Therapy Board

The American Health Council has warmly welcomed Dr. Barry A. Jackson to the Physical Therapy Board in recognition of his outstanding achievements in Physical Therapy. Acquiring an impressive 27 years in the healthcare sector, Dr. Jackson is a highly distinguished Physical Therapist, who has carved out an impressive career recently added to his career the role of Tai Chi Instructor at the Guadalupe Regional Wellness Center. This is a reflection of his keen interest in how this practice can aid a patient’s recovery and long term health.

Dr. Jackson has an extensive educational background in Physical Therapy, Clinical Exercise Physiology, and Kinesiology. First enrolling at the University of Maryland in 1983, Dr. Jackson received his Bachelor of Science in Kinesiological Sciences in 1987. With the desire to continue learning, Dr. Jackson’s next steps saw him attend the University of Texas at Tyler, where he received his Master of Science in Clinical Exercise Physiology in 1989. Following on from this, he accepted the opportunity to continue his studies as part of the US Army-Baylor University Graduate PT program, achieving his Master Physical Therapy in 1992 and his Doctor Physical Therapy further on in his career, in 2008.

Dr. Jackson has been in his current role of Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit Physical Therapist at the Guadalupe Regional Medical Center (GRMC) in Seguin, Texas for more than 6 months. GRMC provides state-of-the-art technology and patient care, having been the community’s preferred patient choice for healthcare for more than 50 years. As the only city/county-owned hospital in Texas, GMRC is focused on making a positive difference in the lives of the community members and their patients. It offers a vast array of medical services including a birthing center, wound care, inpatient rehabilitation, behavioral health, surgery, emergency medicine, diagnostic imaging, cardiovascular care, social work, maternal fetal medicine, outpatient therapy, and wellness.

In his daily role, Dr Jackson works as an Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit Physical Therapist, where he treats a variety of patients with a primary focus on neurological deficits. Dr. Jackson found an early interest in healthcare when he worked as a physical therapy technician as part of his university work-study program while working toward his Exercise Physiology degree. It was this experience that changed his interest within the healthcare industry and lead him to go back into studying to attain his degree of Master Physical Therapy from Baylor University through the highly acclaimed US Army-Baylor University program.

Amongst his many professional accolades, Dr. Jackson also holds his time serving in the US Army in high esteem, where he spent 6 years in active duty with the US Army as a Physical Therapist before transitioning to the US Army Reserves for an additional 2 years. During the time in the US Army and his tours of duty, Dr. Jackson was exposed to a broad spectrum of Orthopaedic, Neurologic, and Burn Injuries.

As a Certified LSVT BIG Clinician (original certification in 2012), Dr. Jackson also received certification in Vestibular Rehabilitation and Management in 2008. Throughout his physical therapy career he has extensively treated patients suffering from Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson Disease, CVA and other neurologic diseases.

To maintain his extensive knowledge and to uphold his professionalism, Dr. Jackson maintains an active membership with a number of Professional Associations including the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), the Texas Physical Therapy Association (TPTA), and the Tom Waugh Leadership Development Program (TWLDP). He is a Committee member for the TWLDP, a leadership development program within the TPTA to generate and grow leaders of the organization from within its membership.

In further recognition of his capabilities and dedication to the field, Dr.Jackson is also a Clinical Team Member for the Commission for Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education Programs (CAPTE). In this role he is required to perform site visits with a team of three professionals at PT schools across the country, assessing each program as part of their 10-year accreditation status. As well as this, Dr. Jackson has also been assigned as a Final Reviewer for the Federation of State Board of Physical Therapy (FSBPT), where he undertakes an assessment role of Vendor submissions for continuing education offerings, ensuring the courses meet the criteria established by the FSBPT.

In early 2018, Dr. Jackson fulfilled one of own personal interests by becoming certified to teach Tai Chi and more recently, has began to run his own Tai Chi class at the Guadalupe Regional Wellness Center, directly associated with GRMC. Through his classes, he has already witnessed significant mobility improvements in his participants; for example, an 82-year-old patient no longer needing a cane since starting his class in June 2018. Starting in January 2019 he plans to partner with the GRMC Inpatient Rehab Unit and the Sequin Public Library to offer a free Saturday Tai Chi class to members of the community whilst he continues to investigate further opportunities to teach Tai Chi in neighboring communities. As well as this, Dr. Jackson also contributes to the community fall prevention and balance programs.

With an array of professional achievements throughout his long standing career, Dr. Jackson is also proud to have won the title of Maryland State Archery Champion in 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980 and 1981. Additionally, as a Life Loyal Sigma Chi, he is a member of this International Fraternity’s local San Antonio Alumni Chapter.

In another personal achievement close to his heart, Dr. Jackson is proud of his daughter and how they were able to manage her difficulties with dyslexia. Having guided her through her public education challenges, she is now excelling on her current path as a successful Music Education Major (Vocalist), currently in her Junior year at Texas A&M-Commerce, where she is pursuing a degree to teach music to elementary school students with or without disabilities.

Dr. Jackson owes his success to his numerous professional experiences, education, training, and the archery discipline instilled upon him as a youth by his father. He has continually upheld his long standing belief in the importance of always making time to educate patients throughout their treatment interventions, which in the long term, will help them succeed in recovery, health maintenance and injury prevention. His time in the US Army program taught him that a patient will not fully appreciate what you can do for them until they understand the concept of each treatment approach being utilized. Having a vast array of involvement in the local, state and national levels over the course of his career, Dr. Jackson has always utilized every opportunity provided to him to continue his learning to ultimately benefit those he serves.

In the future, Dr. Jackson plans to become more involved with Tai Chi within the Guadalupe Regional Wellness Center, while also offering educational opportunities throughout the community. He believes that promoting awareness in fall prevention and balance improvement are imperative to aid in the prevention of accidental injuries. Incorporating results from Tai Chi interventions, eventually Dr. Jackson plans to create a continuing education offering for other health care providers interested in using Tai Chi treatment option.

Away from working in healthcare, Dr. Jackson enjoys the relaxation found from being near water, seeing new places around the United States, hiking and stargazing. It is also likely you will find him reading self-help books or professional journals in his spare time. Dr. Jackson is also keen to dedicate his time where possible to charitable organizations including the Lonestar Parkinson Society (Comal County, TX), the No More Falls Coalition (Bexar County, TX), the Golden Warriors (a Childhood Cancer Advocate group in Laredo, TX), and the Guadalupe Regional Medical Foundation. He can also be found quietly providing Pro Bono work within the community.