The impact health care professionals had on Keller Sims and his nephew led him to pursue a career in physical therapy.
When Sims was younger, his nephew had a brain injury and spent time in therapy and at hospitals. Also, Sims grew up playing hockey and underwent therapy himself.
After playing competitive hockey in Dallas for eight years, he enrolled at the University of Arkansas, earning a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology in 2013.
In 2019, he earned a doctorate of physical therapy from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and started as a clinician at a Fayetteville orthopedic clinic. Five years ago he transitioned from outpatient orthopedics to inpatient rehabilitation because he wanted to spend more time with people during their recovery.
Sims joined Encompass Health and developed into his existing role about two years ago. As a core member of the hospital’s Joint Commission Certified Amputee Rehabilitation Program and Stroke Rehabilitation Program, he works to restore patient independence and quality of life. He helped to develop the hospital’s Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program, allowing the hospital to serve patients with complex cardiopulmonary conditions. He’s also participated in research and professional literature development with the American Physical Therapy Association, contributing to national best practices in physical therapy.
A career highlight comprised his work with two stroke patients this year. Over about 40 days, they went from needing a mechanical lift to get out of bed “to walking out the door onto … their next level of therapy with home health,” he said.
As a volunteer, he’s director of operations and head coach for the UA Men’s Hockey Club. Since he became coach in 2017, the Razorbacks have made six national tournament appearances, including a national runner-up finish in 2021, and multiple conference titles.