By Erin Jester

Each year, the Evans Family Doctor of Physical Therapy Scholarship supports full tuition and 50% of living expenses for one exceptional incoming D.P.T. student throughout the three-year program. For 2025, the scholarship program provided additional support of 50% of tuition and partial living expenses for a second incoming student, as well.

The Evanses became familiar with PHHP’s D.P.T. through their son and daughter-in-law, who are 2016 graduates. Established in 2021, the Evans Family scholarship program benefits first-year students who demonstrate academic achievement, financial need and promise to the profession of physical therapy.

One of the Class of 2027 recipients, Madelyn Corliss, said that growing up in a fitness-loving family, having a neurodivergent younger brother and an older brother with a spinal cord injury all contributed to her curiosity about physical therapy and commitment to helping others. She plans to pursue rehabilitation in her career as a physical therapist.

After Corliss’ father passed away while she was working toward her bachelor’s degree in applied physiology and kinesiology at UF, she said it felt nearly impossible to help her family through the loss, continue working and keep up with her academics as a full-time student.

“Alleviating the financial burden of my choice to return to school is a life-changing gift,” Corliss said. “My family and I are extremely grateful.”

Daniel Gil, the Class of 2025 recipient, always had a passion for exercise, which he said helped him find self-esteem and confidence. At first, he thought he’d pursue sports medicine, but after volunteering in a physical therapy clinic, Gil saw an opportunity to connect with patients in a deeper way.

“I really enjoy talking to people, motivating them and helping them take control of their health,” he said, so he pursued UF’s D.P.T. program.

In addition to being a full-time student, for the last several years Gil has been helping support his mother through her health issues back in his hometown of Medellín, Colombia.

“The scholarship really helped take some of the weight off my shoulders,” he said. “It was a huge help.”

Now working at UF Health’s Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Institute, Gil said he’s enjoying exploring the field before choosing a specialization.

“Physical therapy is something that’s always evolving, always growing, so I’m keeping my mind open to see what comes next,” he said. “The bottom line is that I want to be really good at delivering quality care to patients.”