News & Stories
Celebrating the Heart and Humanity of Our ALS Physical Therapists
October is National Physical Therapy Month, a time to recognize the professionals who help people move, recover, and live life to the fullest. For those living with ALS, physical therapists are more than clinicians — they’re educators, encouragers, and companions along the journey.
At the ALS clinics we work with across North Carolina, three incredible therapists — Alex Acevedo, Scott Holsten, and Leah Salter — exemplify what it means to combine skill, empathy, and heart in the service of others. Their paths to physical therapy may differ, but their shared purpose is clear: to make life better, more comfortable, and more meaningful for the people and families they serve.
Alex Acevedo, PT – Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist ALS Clinic
Alex Acevedo didn’t plan on becoming a physical therapist. In high school, he was a wrestler preparing to join the Marines — until a torn ACL changed everything.
“I thought I was going to join the Marines,” Alex recalls. “But after surgery and rehab, I realized how much my PT had impacted my life. She loved what she did — and I thought, maybe I could do that too.”
That twist of fate led Alex to college, then to Winston-Salem State University’s Physical Therapy program, and eventually to the Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist ALS Clinic, where he helps people living with ALS maintain safety, independence, and quality of life.
“PTs who don’t know ALS often think it’s all about rehabilitation,” he explains. “But here, our goals are different — we focus on maximizing independence, educating caregivers, and ensuring safety and comfort.”
Alex’s calm honesty and deep compassion resonate with every family he meets. “When caregivers tell me their loved one lived a better life because of our clinic,” he says, “that’s what matters most.”
Outside the clinic, Alex’s life revolves around his wife and two energetic redheaded kids — weekends full of sports, creativity, and laughter. He was also honored with the 2019 Winston-Salem Citizen Involvement Award for his work supporting local wheelchair basketball teams.
Scott Holsten, PT – Atrium Health ALS Clinic, Charlotte
For Scott Holsten, the road to physical therapy began at just sixteen, after a devastating car accident left him with a severe neck injury.
“After months of physical and occupational therapy, I was able to walk and care for myself again,” Scott says. “That experience motivated me to help others the way I’d been helped.”
Today, at the Atrium Health ALS Clinic in Charlotte, Scott brings empathy, patience, and insight to his work with pALS.
“You have to meet people where they are,” he explains. “It’s about listening, supporting, and being there throughout their journey.”
For Scott, the little victories mean the most — finding the right orthotic, getting a piece of equipment in time, or making daily life just a little easier.
When he’s not at the clinic, you’ll find him cheering on his son at the baseball field (he’s number 4!) or singing along to Taylor Swift on car rides with his daughter.
Leah Salter – Novant Clinics, Wilmington
For Leah Salter, PT, DPT, the calling to physical therapy came early — and the courage to pursue it has taken her far from home.
“I’ve known since I was a sophomore in high school that I wanted to be a PT,” she says. “I was a competitive athlete and got hurt often, which led me to PT. Later, in grad school, I fell in love with neuro PT during a clinical at Mary Free Bed in Michigan. I was truly making a difference in people’s lives — and I knew this was it for me.”
Now completing her neuro residency in Wilmington, NC, Leah’s passion and compassion shine through in everything she does.
“In neurological diagnoses, PT is about more than strength and balance — it’s about quality of life,” she explains. “As things change through a chronic disorder, our goal is to help you maintain as much as you can for as long as you can. Being part of that team — with patients, families, and providers — is an incredible honor.”
For Leah, connection is everything.
“The most rewarding part of my job is making true connections,” she says. “When I see that moment on someone’s face — when they feel they can conquer the world — it’s unmatched.”
And her own journey is just as inspiring:
“I moved to Wilmington from Grand Rapids, Michigan, without ever visiting before,” she laughs. “I packed up, took a leap, and it hasn’t felt scary at all. I’ve built a little family here — with my colleagues, patients, and new friends. I love who I am here and the work I get to do every day.”
The Power of Purpose
From Greensboro to Charlotte to Wilmington, these three therapists embody what makes the ALS clinics we work with so special: people who see beyond the diagnosis, who meet every patient where they are, and who lead with kindness, humor, and heart.
This National Physical Therapy Month, we celebrate Alex, Scott, and Leah, and every PT who helps our pALS and families live fully and fearlessly each day.