Brooks Rehabilitation Donation Enables UNF to Double Physical Therapy Program

The University of North Florida and Brooks Rehabilitation announce a collaboration to expand the University’s esteemed Doctor of Physical Therapy program within the Brooks College of Health. To address the growing demand for skilled physical therapists in the region, Brooks Rehabilitation pledged a three-year gift. This generous contribution reinforces a shared commitment to excellence in healthcare education.

The gift, announced by UNF President Moez Limayem during the 2025 Convocation ceremony, will support the physical therapy program in efforts to double its class size from 30 students each year to 60 students, beginning in fall 2026.

To support this growth, the gift will fund two new full-time faculty positions, ensuring that the high standard of education and individualized student attention remains a hallmark of the program. Moving forward, UNF will continue to support these two faculty positions and add another two in 2027.

A central component of the gift is the establishment of the Brooks Rehabilitation Immersive Fellowship. This fellowship will provide substantial scholarship funding to recruit and retain top-tier physical therapy students who reside in Florida. Over three years, 15 students will each receive a $20,000 award during their final programmatic year, ensuring that selected students have the support they need to succeed and ultimately contribute to the state’s healthcare landscape.

“Brooks Rehabilitation has a long-standing partnership with UNF to ensure nurses and therapists receive the best education possible. The Brooks College of Health is even named after our founder, J. Brooks Brown, MD,” said Doug Baer, President & CEO of Brooks Rehabilitation. “Continuous learning is a key value at Brooks. We believe in the importance of investing in the next generation of physical therapists and strengthening the partnership with UNF to advance patient care in the community.”

In addition to expanding academic resources, the partnership will create opportunities for Brooks researchers to engage with UNF faculty and students on innovative projects, while also providing a platform for Brooks leaders to share industry insights directly with student cohorts. This integrative approach ensures that students receive an education that is directly aligned with the evolving needs of the rehabilitation field.

“We are incredibly grateful to Brooks Rehabilitation for their support and generosity,” Limayem said. “This gift will enable UNF to double the size of our highly ranked physical therapy program in just one year and significantly enhance our ability to educate and empower the next generation of healthcare professionals. Brooks Rehabilitation’s commitment to UNF and our students is truly inspiring, and we are honored to continue this outstanding partnership.”