Dewitt named 2026 Senior Therapist of the Year

Chickasaw Nation Director of Pediatrics Cmdr. Kayla Dewitt has been named 2026 Therapist Professional Advisory Committee (TPAC) Senior Therapist of the Year.
This national award recognizes a senior officer within the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps for outstanding contributions in leadership and the advancement of public health.

Dewitt said though she is grateful to receive the commendation, credit also goes to others with whom she works at the Empowered Living Clinic (ELC) and the pediatric clinic located at the Chickasaw Nation Medical Center in Ada, Oklahoma.

“I am just incredibly honored to receive that recognition,” Dewitt said. “I definitely don’t think it’s just a reflection of me. It’s a reflection of everyone I have the honor of working with here at the Chickasaw Nation and the other officers who support the overall mission.

“What we do is in support of the mission of the U.S. Public Health Service, which is to protect, promote and advance the health and safety of the nation,” she said.

Dewitt said her award is based on work performed in 2025 as lead physical therapist and clinic manager. That was also the year she was appointed Chickasaw Nation Director of Pediatrics.

The ELC is an interdisciplinary pediatric obesity clinic designed to help children and families build healthy lifestyles.

“What makes the Empowered Living Clinic unique is it brings together multiple disciplines,” Dewitt said. “We look at the patient as a whole and take a very holistic approach to their care. The team is made up of a medical provider, a behavioral health specialist, a registered dietitian, a physical therapist, as well as a case manager and an LPN who serves as the clinic coordinator.”

Dewitt said the program encourages physical activity while prioritizing long-term health, function and well-being more than weight-focused outcomes.

“We’re not only focused on weight management, but the impact of improving overall health confidence and long-term habits not just for the child but the entire family,” she said.

“As the physical therapist, I work with the child and family in getting more active, finding out what they like to do and making sure they are safe to do so, as well as decreasing what might get in the way of keeping them active.”

Dewitt says the program offers an interdisciplinary approach to health and wellness that involves the entire ELC team.

“We’re trying to decrease those sedentary habits we may have, such as screen time. We want to make sure the child gets enough good sleep, they’re developing a healthy relationship with food and their mental health is supported.”

Dewitt said food group choices are more important to success than keeping a tedious account of caloric intake.

“We’re not about counting calories or restrictive eating,” she said. “It’s about balancing meals out to help our bodies move and function well. We encourage plenty of fruits and vegetables along with protein to support growth and development.”

Dewitt said GLP-1 medications, the recent popular weight-loss breakthrough, can play a role, but not as a solo remedy. She said it must be used in conjunction with increased physical activity, proper nutrition and healthy habits.

“Evidence shows GLP-1 does have a place in treatment, but not as a stand-alone intervention,” she said. “There is definitely a risk to it. We want to make sure the child has healthy habits in place before talking about putting them on the medication.

“We want them to be following up with our team on a regular basis and instilling those habits early on. From there, we can consider adding medication if needed, while maintaining close monitoring and being with them every step of the way to ensure any side effects are addressed appropriately.”

The Ada, Oklahoma, resident attended East Central University in Ada before being accepted early into the OU Health Science Center Physical Therapy program. She earned her Bachelor of Health degree in 2010. In 2012, Dewitt earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from OU. She was commissioned as a lieutenant in the U.S. Public Health Service in 2013.

For more information about the Empowered Living Clinic, call (580) 222-2928.