September 4, 2025 | Erin Bluvas, bluvase@sc.edu

Trystan Ruiz’s journey has been all about family. He met his wife, Kaitlyn, when the two were undergraduate students at Oklahoma State University. With a population of 26,000, the college campus was a big change from Ruiz’s upbringing in a tiny ranching town, but the engineering and public health majors managed to find each other.

When Kaitlyn received a job offer in Aiken, South Carolina, the Arnold School’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program caught Ruiz’s eye. After touring the exercise science department, he knew he had to enroll – even though it meant a 90-minute drive each way for the next three years.

During his program, Ruiz gained clinical experience in hospital and private practice settings. He was grateful to clinical assistant professor Matthew Geary, who went the extra mile to coordinate rotations in Aiken and back in Oklahoma. This allowed Ruiz to spend more time with Kaitlyn, and their daughter, Lena, who was born not long after he began the program as well as make connections for a possible return to their home state.

“Dr. Geary has always been available for some words of encouragement and advice, even now that I’ve graduated,” Ruiz says.

Over the past three years, the Army veteran has developed interests in vestibular and balance rehabilitation and geriatrics. He found mentors in Elizabeth Regan and Sheri Silfies.

“Dr. Regan had a huge impact during my first year of physical therapy school and was a terrific resource when my daughter was born, and I looked like a zombie during the newborn phase,” Ruiz says of the clinical assistant professor. “She went out of her way to check on me during what was a very difficult six months balancing my family, health, and school.”

Now that he’s reached the finish line, the August graduate has two important milestones coming up. The first is a position at Fyzical Therapy & Balance Centers in Oklahoma City. The second is the birth of their son, who is due in January. Long term, Ruiz would like to open his own practice to achieve even better work-family balance.  

“Do not be afraid to keep living your life when applying for this program,” Ruiz says when looking back on his experience. “I had a planned child and commuted several hours per day while in the DPT program, and faculty and my classmates went above and beyond to make sure I didn’t feel behind or that I was neglecting my family.”

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