Dr. Rekha Parameswaran is the heart and soul of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Laurel Ridge Community College. She was brought to the college to launch the program – as an accredited satellite site for Germanna Community College’s PTA program – at the Luray-Page County Center.
In fall 2026, Laurel Ridge will be offering the program as an accredited, independent site after achieving accreditation through CAPTE (Commission for Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education). To reach this milestone, Laurel Ridge had to meet various benchmarks, such as recruiting qualified and dedicated core faculty members, demonstrating a solid curriculum, providing access to state-of-the-art equipment and technology, and having a roster of sites where students could obtain optimal clinical experiences, said Dr. Parameswaran.
Under the guidance of a physical therapist, PTAs provide direct care and treatment to patients. They help patients carry out treatment plans written by the physical therapist. PTAs work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, schools and homes.
Dr. Parameswaran continues to have her own private physical therapy practice, which she has had for two decades. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy in her native India – in Mumbai, she worked with Bollywood actors – and her doctorate in Physical Therapy from Des Moines University. She is also currently working on her Ph.D. in higher education through Shenandoah University and is licensed in physical therapy in Virginia, New York and New Jersey.
“I’m sustained by education,” said Dr. Parameswaran, who also teaches classical Indian singing. “I knew that once I had done 20 to 25 years of practice that I would then teach so the next generation would be ready.”
She has been in Virginia since 2012.
“My littlest patient was 800 grams (less than 2 pounds), and my largest patient has been 450 pounds,” said Dr. Parameswaran. “My youngest patient was 3 months’ premature, while the oldest was 110.”
She recalls treating an 87-year-old and helping him learn to drive again and regain his independence so he could continue caring for his disabled children.
Luray is a great location for the PTA program, according to Dr. Parameswaran.
“I’m in love with the town,” she said. “I love the community and the people. Our mission is to deliver a stellar, specialized program that not only equips students with the skills they’ll need to excel in patient care, but also strengthens the fabric of our community. There is a critical shortage of physical therapists and assistants, and we are stepping up to meet that need.
PTA students train on advanced equipment.
“Not only will we be cultivating highly-trained professionals, we will be generating premium employment opportunities for local residents and attracting new clinics and healthcare businesses to the region. The PTA program is about more than just education. It is an engine of prosperity and wellness designed to uplift individuals, empower families and ensure a thriving community that has access to the care they deserve.”
Right now, only four community colleges in the nation offer a bridge between PTA and doctorate of physical therapy programs, said Dr. Parameswaran.
“I want this to be the fifth one,” she said. “In our program, we make sure that the faculty we hire are physical therapists themselves. Because we have our doctorates, our students have the potential of transferring their credits to doctorate programs like Shenandoah University’s PT program.”
Applications for the fall 2026 cohort of PTA students are being accepted starting in April. The program is eligible for G3 funding, meaning qualified Virginia residents wouldn’t have any tuition fees after all financial aid has been applied.
The class will meet in person three days a week, so students from out of the area won’t have to worry about a five-days-a-week commute, said Dr. Parameswaran, noting Jenkins Hall is a modern, well-equipped facility.
“We have all state-of-the-art equipment,” she said. “It’s a growing field. The job market for PTAs is five times that for PTs.”
Learn more about the program and upcoming information sessions at laurelridge.edu/PTA, or by emailing [email protected].
Laurel Ridge Community College was known as Lord Fairfax Community College until June 2022. For consistency purposes, the college will be referenced as Laurel Ridge going forward.