Ella K. Gall Memorial Scholarship Honors Late Physical Therapist Assistant Student

The scholarship will support future PTA students at Arkansas State University, reflecting Ella's compassion and commitment to care.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 6:53pm

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An abstract, out-of-focus scene depicting the warm, empathetic atmosphere of a physical therapy clinic, conveying the human-centered values that defined Ella Gall's life and legacy.The Ella K. Gall Memorial Scholarship will help future physical therapist assistant students carry on the compassionate legacy of a dedicated student whose life was cut short.Jonesboro Today

The family of Ella K. Gall, a physical therapist assistant student at Arkansas State University who passed away just before graduating, has established a memorial scholarship to honor her life and help future PTA students complete their educational dreams. The scholarship will be awarded annually to one student in the final spring semester of the PTA program, with recipients selected based on an essay reflecting the American Physical Therapy Association's core values.

Why it matters

The Ella K. Gall Memorial Scholarship is a meaningful tribute that ensures Ella's legacy of compassion, empathy, and dedication to patient care will live on through future physical therapist assistant students at Arkansas State. By investing in the next generation of caregivers, the scholarship honors Ella's profound impact on those around her.

The details

Ella Gall was expected to graduate from Arkansas State's PTA program in 2025 but passed away unexpectedly just one month before completing her degree. Her family, including her parents Dr. Linzy Thomas Gall and Rachel Gall, as well as her brother Thomas Gall, established the scholarship through gifts from Ella's estate and family. The scholarship will be awarded annually to one student in the final spring semester of the PTA program, who will be selected based on an essay reflecting the APTA's core values and how those values shape their character and future practice.

  • Ella Gall passed away on April 2, 2025, just one month before her expected graduation.
  • The Ella K. Gall Memorial Scholarship will be awarded annually to one student during the final spring semester of the PTA program at Arkansas State.

The players

Ella K. Gall

A physical therapist assistant student at Arkansas State University who passed away unexpectedly just one month before completing her degree.

Dr. Linzy Thomas Gall

Ella's father, who attended Arkansas State and owned a veterinary practice in Blytheville.

Rachel Gall

Ella's mother, who was a devoted wife and mother.

Thomas Gall

Ella's brother, who is involved in honoring her memory through the scholarship.

Dr. Stacy Walz

Interim dean for the College of Nursing and Health Professions at Arkansas State University.

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What they’re saying

“This scholarship is a meaningful tribute to Ella's life and the compassion she brought into every space she entered. By supporting future physical therapist assistants, this gift ensures that Ella's legacy will live on through students who share her heart for service, empathy for others, and commitment to providing exceptional patient care.”

— Dr. Stacy Walz, Interim Dean, College of Nursing and Health Professions

“Ella was always someone who would drop anything to help anyone and I believe this scholarship will be an extension of that.”

— Hendrix Walker, Classmate and friend of Ella Gall

What’s next

The first Ella K. Gall Memorial Scholarship will be awarded in the spring of 2027 to a student in the final semester of Arkansas State's physical therapist assistant program.

The takeaway

The Ella K. Gall Memorial Scholarship is a heartfelt tribute that will help future physical therapist assistant students at Arkansas State University pursue their educational dreams, while ensuring Ella's legacy of compassion, empathy, and dedication to patient care lives on.