VA TVHS Employee Earns 2025 Physical Therapist Assistant of the Year Recognition

Michael Chaffins, a physical therapist assistant at Alvin C. York Veterans Administration Medical Center, has been named the 2025 Physical Therapist Assistant of the Year by VA’s Physical Therapy Field Advisory Council.

Recipients for the national award are selected through nominations from colleagues who highlight exceptional performance in patient care, clinical innovation, and teamwork. 

From dozens of nominees nationwide, Chaffins was chosen as this year’s honoree for his dedication to Veterans, collaborative spirit, and commitment to advancing the practice of physical therapy at VA.

Chaffins has served Veterans at TVHS for the past four years, but his path as a clinician began decades earlier. Chaffins’ journey in physical therapy began in the U.S. Navy, where he trained as a physical therapy technician starting in 1997. He served until his retirement in 2012, then returned to the field after completing his Physical Therapist Assistant degree from South College in 2020. From the start, his goal was clear – he wanted to work at VA. 

“The final essay at South College asked us to write about what we wanted to do next,” Chaffins recalled. “I wrote about wanting to work at the VA. After graduation, COVID hit, and I spent a year walking my résumé into clinics, but no one was hiring. Every day, I drove past the Alvin C. York facility, and one day, I decided to go in and speak to someone. So, [I] walked in and started talking to the staff. It just so happened the previous physical therapist assistant just retired which created a new opening. I applied immediately, and it all fell into place.”

That determination stemmed from a deep commitment to fellow Veterans. “I wanted to continue to serve and give back to my brothers and sisters who sacrificed in the military and help them with their physical disabilities,” he said. 

As both a Veteran and a clinician, Chaffins brings a unique perspective to his care. “My military experience helps me connect. I recently treated a patient who had served in the same unit as me, just at a different time. It created a special bond.” 

He approaches treatment holistically, focusing on who his patients are, not just their diagnosis. “On paper, it’s just a diagnosis. But I want to know are my patients 75 years old and still doing handyman work? Are they caring for a spouse or parent? My goal is to strengthen them in a way that makes their lives better, not just treat the problem.”

One of his proudest cases highlights that connection. An 85-year-old Veteran who still works as a bus driver came to the clinic struggling with knee arthritis. The pain made climbing in and out of the bus difficult, and he worried about losing his independence. After weeks of focused treatment and encouragement, the Veteran not only regained the strength to continue driving but also surprised his family by dancing with his wife at their grandson’s wedding. 

“He felt like I did it, but I told him, ‘I’m just guiding you, you’re the one doing the work,’” Chaffins said. “That’s what I love about this job. We’re a team. I’m the coach, and they’re the player.”

Stories like this illustrate the impact noticed by his colleagues. Megan Huddleston, who holds a doctorate in physical therapy and serves as a physical therapist at TVHS, nominated Chaffins for the award and described him as “the epitome of Veteran-centric care.” She praised his habit of spending personal time researching new techniques to share with the team and his ability to tailor treatment through intentional listening. 

“I’ve had many Veterans share how Mike has changed their lives,” she said. “Mike is a positive change agent to everyone in our clinic.”

Though honored by the award, Chaffins stays focused on the work ahead. “I’m proud of what I do here,” he said. “Ninety-nine percent of my patients love it here, and I love coming to work.” 

Looking forward, he hopes to continue serving at VA for another decade before considering retirement. Until then, he remains dedicated to helping Veterans become “the best version of themselves they can be.”