Elon’s Accelerated Pathways program allows students to complete their undergraduate studies in three and a half years, and then have the option for an early start in two graduate programs.
When Zach Heath ‘25 stepped on Elon’s campus, he knew he had found his community – but it was the Accelerated Pathways (AP) program through the School of Health Sciences that cemented his decision to attend.
“Physical therapy is a growing field as a whole, and so it’s gotten more and more competitive throughout the years,” said Heath, an exercise science major with a double minor in biology and coaching. “This Accelerated Pathways program gives students a chance to fast-track their way into the university’s PT program.”
The AP Program offers two tracks in either the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (PA) or Doctor of Physical Therapy (PT) programs. Students complete their undergraduate studies in three and a half years, with the opportunity for admission and enrollment into the PA and PT programs in the final semester of their fourth year. It is one of the university’s highest-yielding undergraduate programs.
“From day one, being in Elon 1010 with the other AP students, we were all very close,” said Heath. “I’m still close with a lot of them and catch up with them when I see them on campus.”
Pulling out all the love
Heath discovered he wanted to go into physical therapy after two different soccer-related injuries in high school, including having three knee surgeries in two years.
“I was seeing my physical therapist just as much as I was seeing my family,” said Heath. “He pushed me to get back to where I was with playing sports and beyond, and was just always very comforting even in times when it was difficult.”
Now, Heath is president of the club swim team and was the foreman of the human anatomy program, coordinating with the teaching assistants and more than 200 students. He also led both a thoracotomy and a five-hour craniotomy for the anatomy course, in partnership with Elon’s Anatomical Gift Program.
“Holding the brain, you’re like ‘I’m holding this person’s entire life, all of their memories, all of their thoughts, everything they’ve done in their life, I’m holding it in my hand.’ It was a very surreal moment,” Heath said. “With the heart, we always talk about how you love with your heart, even though it’s not anatomically correct, but when you dissect the heart out, you’re holding all the love that person had in their soul.”
Associate Professor of Biology Matthew Clark and Assistant Professor of Exercise Science Bill Evans have both played a role in Heath’s development.
“Dr. Clark and Dr. Evans have been good at being that support system and helping me find my potential in exercise science, teaching me to think about things in different ways and helping me with my future career path,” said Heath.
Heath has also had the opportunity to get some real-world experience, including internships with a child physical therapist in his hometown of King, North Carolina, and observing a knee and hip replacement.
“I’ve been dissecting for so long, and seeing it on a live patient was really cool,” he said.
Mentorship outside the classroom
The AP Program brought Ashlyn Duffy ’25 to Elon. Duffy, an exercise science major, was inspired to go into physical therapy after seeing her sister go through physical, occupational and speech therapy. The mentorship aspect of the program has impacted Duffy’s time at Elon significantly, particularly with Tracey Thurnes, associate professor of physician assistant studies and director of the AP Program, along with Melissa Scales, associate professor of physical therapy education.
“Getting to work with both of them through different trainings and then doing some mock interviews this past year, it helped me prepare for the grad school application process but it also introduced me to how mentorship looks outside the classroom,” said Duffy, who is from Huntersville, North Carolina.
As an undergraduate, Duffy has been able to do research in biomechanics with Jacob Gdovin, assistant professor of exercise science, looking at how shoe ankle bracing affects how volleyball players are able to jump, produce force and balance in different scenarios and conditions. In February, Duffy presented the research at the Southeast Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine Conference and then at Elon’s Spring Undergraduate Research Forum. Duffy says both Scales and Thurnes were instrumental in helping her find someone to complete research with.
“They’ve been very supportive,” she said. “They’ve opened a lot of doors for me, both academically and personally.”
Faculty have also taken notice of Duffy’s work, nominating her for The Trey Halker Memorial Scholarship, which was established by Halker’s family and friends in 2008 to honor his memory. Halker graduated in 1996 with a degree in sports medicine and the Halker scholarship is given annually to a deserving Elon student majoring in exercise science.
“I’m very blessed and very thankful for that opportunity and for the recognition in the department,” said Duffy.
AP and Abroad
Even though Duffy and Heath have challenging course loads, the AP Program has offered flexibility for interdisciplinary studies through study abroad and Study USA. Duffy says Scales and Thurnes even helped her with the study abroad application and encouraged her to spend the semester in Denmark, living with a host family.
“It was absolutely the best experience I could have ever had,” she said. “I’m still in contact with my host family. I think they’re trying to come down for graduation. So I think they’re trying to fly across from Denmark to come see me, which is so amazing.”
Heath was able to participate in a Study USA Winter Term program in Hawaii, learning about the history and culture of the state.
“It’s definitely a top 10 bucket list item for anybody,” Heath said. “It’s completely different from anywhere else I’ve been in the US. They have such a unique and diverse history.”
While both students were debating their paths before coming to Elon, each say they made the right choice.
“I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” said Heath.