Meet Savannah PTA Grad Zachary Hall
While only a few years have passed since earning an Associate of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant at South University, Savannah in 2022, Zachary Hall is already climbing the ranks in his career. As a director of rehabilitation with Broad River Rehab, Zachary Hall is passionate about taking care of both his patients and his team. It’s a lot of responsibility, but the work is something he truly enjoys. Recently, Zachary reached out to share how his education helped him move from being a PTA staff member to working in management at a skilled nursing facility.The Road to Becoming a PTA
Before attending South University, Zachary earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise science and kinesiology. After he graduated, he worked at an assisted living facility as an activities director. There, he created programs that supported the health and wellness of residents, who were all senior citizens. He enjoyed helping the age group and wanted to do more for a population he feels is too often overlooked and neglected. Eventually, Zachary heard about the PTA program at South University and thought it was a good choice for his needs. “What drew me to the program compared to other universities was the ability to work full-time and go to school,” he recalls.
At South University, Zachary got hands-on training in his PTA classes and labs. He also did two clinical externships, working with and learning from other physical therapy professionals. “I gained the base knowledge to become a clinician and grow as a therapist!” he says. “Education is the lifeblood for every clinician. It gives the confidence to make a difference in people’s lives and make an overall positive impact in the therapy profession.”
The faculty and staff shaped his time at South University, including the PTA program director, Victoria Nash, PT, MEd. “Professor Nash truly gave me the confidence and support for me to take that next step in my career as a student and therapist. She sees each student for who they are and helps focus on their strengths to bring out clinical and professional success,” Zachary shares.
In all, the PTA program was hard work, but earning the degree is an accomplishment he’s proud of. “Perseverance and consistency are two of the most important things to get to that other side of graduation,” Zachary reflects.
What a Director of Rehab Does in a Skilled Nursing Facility
After graduating with his PTA degree, Zachary knew he wanted to work with the geriatric community again. He accepted a job as a PTA at a skilled nursing facility called Riverview Health & Rehabilitation Center in Savannah. Three months into that job, an opportunity opened up for him to become an assistant director of rehab. Even though he was still new, his company gave him the chance to prove himself in management. He stayed in that role for several years, learning and growing. In 2025, Zachary became a director of rehab, working at the same facility where he started, although the company that employs him is now Broad River Rehab.As a director of rehab in a skilled nursing facility, he oversees clinical quality and manages Medicare reimbursement and compliance. He leads and develops the therapy team, monitors productivity and financial performance, and collaborates with nursing and administration in team meetings. He also solves daily problems like staffing gaps, documentation issues, family concerns, and discharge planning. “In short, you’re responsible for patient outcomes, team performance, regulatory compliance, and the financial health of the rehab department, all at the same time,” he says.
Zachary is proud that the facility where he works has been named the best senior living in Savannah for two years running by Connect-Best of Savannah. For the future, Zachary plans to continue improving his Medicare knowledge, growing this high-performing team, and maintaining high-quality care for their patients.
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Graduates are required to pass the national certification exam and obtain a state license in order to work in the field. (Exam names vary by program.) Please refer to the State Professional Licensure Determination and National Certification/Licensure section of the University catalog for additional information. South University cannot guarantee each graduate will pass the required licensure examinations. South University does not promise or guarantee licensure, employment, or salary amounts.
Programs, including all Clinical/Medical programs, have a required ground clinical, practicum, or externship requirement. We cannot guarantee flexibility in these components of the program.
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