FSSIG Leaders

We hope to inspire, encourage, and promote leadership amongst our students by providing opportunities to engage, network, and collaborate. We aim to support the growing diversity of our profession by including and supporting all students within physical therapy. We hope to increase inter-professional communication among SPT’s and SPTA’s to improve our ability to collaborate during patient care in our future.

— SSIG Leaders

Chair

Joshua Clerjuste

Florida A&M University
DPT Class of 2027

I am Joshua Clerjuste, a second year DPT student at Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University serving as my schools APTA Liaison and the FPTA SSIG chair. Areas of personal interest include working in the VA, Orthopedics, and private practice.

Growing up, I was always involved in sports and frequently dealt with injuries, which exposed me to physical therapy early on. Seeing how physical therapy transformed my own recovery, many times, inspired me to pursue the profession, and create those same experiences for others. Physical therapists have the power to change the world, and it starts with one patient at a time.

Vice Chair

Ashley Peitz

University of Central Florida
DPT Class of 2027

My name is Ashley Peitz, and I am a second-year Doctor of Physical Therapy student at the University of Central Florida. My path to physical therapy was not a straight line, but rather a winding road that ultimately led me to a profession I feel deeply connected to. When I graduated high school in 2015, I was adamant that I would never go to college. However, while working in the fitness industry after graduation, I discovered that I wanted to explore the medical side of movement and health more deeply than what personal training alone could offer. That realization set me on the path toward pursuing a career in physical therapy.

Currently, I serve as the Community Service Chair for my program, a role that reflects my passion for giving back and connecting healthcare with the community. I strongly believe in the ripple effect, the idea that small actions can create meaningful change, and I try to embody that by taking initiative when I see opportunities to improve the communities around me. I am also excited to serve as the FPTA Student Special Interest Group (SSIG) Vice Chair for the 2026–2027 term, where I look forward to helping amplify student voices and support engagement within the profession. Recently, I completed Pelvic Health Level 1 training and hope to apply these skills to the geriatric population. My goal is to help normalize conversations surrounding pelvic health and function, particularly for older adults, and to empower individuals to seek care for concerns that are too often dismissed or stigmatized.

Secretary

Meghan Barrett

University of South Florida
DPT Class of 2027

I chose physical therapy because I am passionate about physical activity and its role in improving health. I want to enhance understanding of the profession and inspire future PTs. My goal is to be a lifelong learner and teacher, and PT allows me to do this and serve others while continuously growing in the profession.

Interests (within PT): Neuro, Acute Care, Geriatrics

Interests (outside PT): Baking, hiking, reading, spending time outside

Director of Communications

Hunter Gebel

Florida International University
DPT Class of 2028

My name is Hunter Gebel, and I am a first-year DPT student at Florida International University and the FPTA Ambassador for the Class of 2028. I took a little longer than most to find my passion for physical therapy, working for over 7 years as a certified personal trainer and NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist. After graduating from USF in 2021, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, but after realizing that physical therapy combines my love for making a positive impact in people’s lives and my prior knowledge of exercise science and fitness, I knew I had found what I was meant to do!

An interesting fact about me is that I was born and raised in the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus for the first 6 years of my life. Although it may not seem like it would relate to physical therapy, being immersed in so many different cultures allowed me to understand and relate to individuals of all cultures and backgrounds. I am honored to serve as the Director of Communications for the FPTA Student Special Interest Group (SSIG) for the 2026-2027 term, and I strive to bring the leadership, guidance, and determination that I do with everything I am involved with.

Interests (within PT): Neuro, Sports, and Orthopedics Interests (outside PT): sports, traveling, playing guitar

PTA Student Director

Jean-Patrick Gabon

Broward College
PTA Class of 2027

My name is Jean-Patrick. I am a first generation student from the Philippines. I have a Bachelors in Health Science through FAU and have been a certified personal trainer through NASM for a little less than 2 years.

I chose physical therapy because of my love for seeing people improve and return to functional independence. I would love to continue my education in physical therapy and become a PT or a PTA one day.

Interests (within PT): prosthetics, geriatrics, cardiovascular & pulmonary

Interests (outside of PT): Japanese/Asian culture, gym, self-improvement

PT Student Liaison Director

Bailey Bowen

Florida Southern College School of Physical Therapy
DPT Class of 2027

“I am so honored to be a part of the FPTA SSIG Board this year! I received my bachelor’s degree in kinesiology (pre-physical therapy) from Southeastern University in 2024 and am currently a second-year DPT student at Florida Southern College. I have known since I was a little girl that I wanted a career centered around helping others. I feel incredibly blessed to work in a field where I can help people return to the activities they love, whether that’s something as simple as walking their dog or getting an athlete back on the field. I value organized, clear communication between PT programs and believe it is vital for professional development and student engagement. I hope to strengthen connections among Florida PT programs, support student liaisons, and foster a collaborative, informed FPTA student community.

Interests (within PT): Sports and Orthopedics

Interests (outside PT): Spending time with my family, staying active, and grabbing a matcha with my besties

PTA Student Liaison Director

Christal Hamilton

Broward College
DPT Class of 2027

I am honored to serve on the Florida Physical Therapy Association Student Special Interest Group (SSIG) Board as a PTA Student Liaison Director. I am currently a first-year PTA student with Broward College and was recently accepted into the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at Franklin Pierce University. I am an alumna of Nova Southeastern University in Davie, Florida, where I earned my Bachelors of Science degree specializing in Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience. My interests within physical therapy include neurology, sports rehabilitation, and pelvic floor therapy.

As a first-generation Jamaican American, I am passionate about increasing diversity and representation within the physical therapy profession. My passion for physical therapy is rooted in my love for neuroscience and my desire to help patients overcome neurological and physical challenges to achieve their rehabilitation goals.

Outside of my academic and professional pursuits, I enjoy Pilates, traveling to different states and countries, and spending time with friends and family. I am also honored to have held the title of Miss Miami Broward 2023–2024, which allowed me to organize community wellness initiatives and advocate for underserved communities. Through my education and leadership, I hope to continue promoting compassionate care, representation, and empowerment within the field of physical therapy.