George J. Davies, DPT ’04, is “paying it forward” with funds for students who have financial need or exceptional ability

George J. Davies has done just about anything you’d want to do as a physical therapist: worked at multiple Olympic and Paralympic Games (1980, 2002, 2008, 2012), is widely published in peer-reviewed journals, has written several books, has a successful clinical practice, has been a tenured professor everywhere he’s taught, presents at conferences around the world, is internationally known in physical therapy circles, was the original co-founder and co-editor of The Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, original co-founder and Associate Editor of Sports Health, and he is still teaching physical therapy after 50 years. 

Now Davies, an ’04 MGH Institute alum, wants to do something else: give back to the IHP. 

The Dr. George J. Davies PT Scholarship is an endowed scholarship fueled by a $25,000 gift from the Doctor of Physical Therapy alum. It will support a student in the Physical Therapy program who demonstrates financial need and/or exceptional abilities and contributions to the PT profession. Davies’ $25,000 donation will be matched by the Kay Bander matching program to create a $50,000 endowment. 

“The original intent was to help people that had financial need,” said Davies. “But I tweaked the criteria and added the exceptional abilities piece because if a student is coming in with outstanding credentials, and doing research projects that might make a significant difference to the profession, it’s valuable to try to support those people, as much as it is to help those with financial needs.” 

Davies knows what having financial needs is all about because he, too, struggled for a few years while attending Columbia University for his physical therapy degree and trying to raise a family.  A Marine Corps veteran, Davies the used G.I. Bill, loans, savings, and the kindness of family helped get himself, his wife and two young children through some lean years. 

 “With this scholarship, I’m just paying it forward and trying to give back to the universities or the schools that have helped me achieve my successes,” said Davies. 

Davies started his college athletic trainer but after realizing teaching and games at night didn’t leave a lot of time for his family, he chose physical therapy. Davies earned his master’s degree and then began a 30-year teaching career at the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse. 

After his wife of 32 years died of cancer, Davies transplanted to Savannah, GA, where he taught physical therapy at Armstrong State College (now Georgia Southern University) for 20 years. Now, he’s beginning another chapter- Professor at the University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley starting in January.

“Since I started as a student athletic trainer in 1965, I have been involved in sports medicine for almost 60 years,” said a proud Davies. “I still I feel that I'm near the top of my game. And I’m still doing clinical practice, which is the most important part, because it keeps my clinical skills sharp, and that’s critical when it comes to teaching. And it is still FUN after 60 years!!!

“I hope the scholarship I’m starting at the MGH Institute can lead to a similar career – one happiness, accomplishment, and satisfaction.” 

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