Screenings offered for peripheral neuropathy, balance impairments and sensory deficits.
Students from the Department of Physical Therapy at UNT Health Fort Worth are using their skills and passion for neurologic rehabilitation to give back to the community through a unique event focused on improving awareness and access to care.
From 5 to 7 p.m., July 24, the Neurologic Rehabilitation Student Association will host its first community event, Neuro Aware, at the UNT Health’s Medical Education and Training building, 1000 Montgomery St. The event will offer free neurologic health screenings, education about common conditions and resources for individuals and families.
“I’m incredibly proud of the Neurologic Rehabilitation Student Association and the students’ commitment to community engagement,” said Michael Furtado, chair of the Department of Physical Therapy. “Events like this showcase our students’ dedication to applying their knowledge to real-world service and advancing accessible care for individuals with neurologic conditions.”
Event organizers Alexandra Garza, event coordinator chair, and Chandler Cobb, community outreach chair, are second-year Doctor of Physical Therapy students with a shared passion for neurologic rehabilitation.
“We’re all neuro nerds at heart,” Garza said. “We wanted to create something that helps people understand neurologic conditions and provides resources that might not otherwise be easily accessible.”
Neuro Aware intends to address a gap in community resources for neurological health. Participants will receive free screenings for conditions such as peripheral neuropathy, balance impairments and sensory deficits—all supervised by licensed physical therapists who are part of UNT Health’s faculty.
“It takes weeks, sometimes months, to get in to see a neurologist,” Cobb said. “We realized there was a need for free, accessible screenings that could help people identify potential issues early and prevent further complications.”
Screenings will include reflex testing, monofilament sensation tests, balance evaluations and vital sign checks. Students from the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine will assist with vital checks, and physical therapy faculty will oversee all assessments.
“Helping people recognize impairments they might not know they have is critical,” Cobb said. “For example, reduced sensation in the feet can increase fall risk, which is a major concern for older adults. Our screenings can help participants learn how to accommodate for these issues and avoid serious injuries.”
In addition to the screenings, Beverly McNeal, a physical therapy faculty member, will lead an educational session about four common neurologic conditions: Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barré syndrome and stroke.
Founded in 2024, the NRSA has grown to include 50 to 60 student members. Garza and Cobb said the group is laying the groundwork for future outreach efforts and partnerships, including one with the Neuro Fitness Foundation in Euless.
“This is our first community event, but we’re hoping Neuro Aware will become an annual tradition,” Garza said. “We’re proud to share our knowledge and resources with the Fort Worth community and hope to make a lasting impact.”
For the NRSA students, the event also highlights the breadth of physical therapy as a profession.
“People often think of PTs as just working with athletes or in sports clinics,” Garza said. “We want to show the community—and even our fellow students—that physical therapists play a vital role in neurologic care, too.”
The event is free and open to the public.
