CONWAY, AR, February 16, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Brian H. Odom, PT, PhD, CWS, has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Dr. Odom's distinguished career of three decades in physical therapy and education is marked by a steady progression of service, leadership and scholarly contributions. Since 2022, he has served as both an assistant professor as well as the assistant director of clinical education at the University of Central Arkansas. In these roles, he teaches graduate courses in physical therapy throughout the academic year, along with guiding his students through both academic and clinical preparation while coordinating placements for clinical experiences. Collaborating with clinical sites to secure optimal training opportunities, he ensures his students are equipped with the comprehensive, hands-on experience to guide them toward success in completing their physical therapy doctorate.

Additionally, Dr. Odom is president of the Arkansas chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association, a role in which he has focused on building a stronger professional culture across the state. His leadership has been pivotal in reinvesting in students through initiatives such as the Student Special Interest Group, which connects all five physical therapy schools in Arkansas and fosters community service, networking and professional development. His efforts are further highlighted by the annual student-led spring expo, underscoring his commitment to mentoring future physical therapists and strengthening the profession at both state and national levels.

Prior to his current appointments, Dr. Odom worked as an associate professor at Harding University from 2019 to 2022, contributing significantly to research and publications in wound care and physical therapy education. He initially joined the institution as an assistant professor in 2012, advancing his teaching and research portfolio over the course of a decade.

Dr. Odom's clinical foundation was established during his tenure as a physical therapist at Arkansas Children's Hospital from 2002 to 2012. During this time, he co-founded the facility's wound care team and was certified as a wound specialist by the American Board of Wound Management in 2007. His expertise in wound care became widely recognized during this time, particularly thanks to his work with pediatric patients who faced trauma and complex injuries.

Determined to contribute to the field outside of his primary roles as well, Dr. Odom has maintained active membership with the American Board of Wound Management and served as both vice president-elect and nominating committee chair for the American Physical Therapy Association-Arkansas before assuming the presidency. He has also authored and co-authored a number of scholarly works and conference presentations on key topics in wound management, including experiential learning, pediatric case management and infection management.

Hailing from an equally accomplished academic background, Dr. Odom earned a Doctor of Philosophy in physical therapy from the University of Central Arkansas in 2018, following a Master of Science in physical therapy from the same institution in 1999 and a Bachelor of Science in 1998. The rigorous training and research experience gained during his doctoral studies enabled him to contribute original scholarship to the field, including authoring a pediatric wound care chapter in the third edition of the Text and Atlas of Wound Diagnosis and Treatment — a resource that remains widely used in both educational and clinical settings today.

Reflecting on his storied journey to date, Dr. Odom attributes much of his success to the support and influence of his wife, whose background in human resources has broadened his professional perspective. He also credits his two sons as ongoing sources of motivation, striving to demonstrate that determination and education can open doors regardless of one's origins. Along with his family, he is immensely grateful for the outstanding mentors — particularly Charlotte Yates, his PhD mentor and current colleague at the University of Central Arkansas, and Rose Hamm, editor of the Text and Atlas of Wound Diagnosis and Treatment — who have guided and shaped his professional growth over the years.

Also inspired by his father — an athletic trainer for military teams and Olympic athletes — Dr. Odom initially pursued sports medicine before discovering his own passion for acute care and wound management. This blend of clinical skill, compassionate care and dedication to continuous learning reflects both the personal values instilled during his childhood in rural Arkansas as well as his commitment to giving back to the profession.

Beyond academia and clinical practice, Dr. Odom is civically engaged as a board member on the Arkansas Activities Association (AAA) Advisory Panel for Student-Athletes as well as developing resources for the American Council of Academic Physical Therapy (ACAPT) simulation library used in training programs across the United States. As an item provider for the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS), he has contributed to the development for board certification examinations in the specialty area of Clinical Electrophysiology and Wound Management.

Dr. Odom's success in the wound management sector has earned him several accolades, including the 2012 Excellence in Clinical Scholarship Award from the Society of Pediatric Nurses for his outstanding contributions to the prevention of pressure injuries in children, and his selection in 2020 as an item writer for the inaugural wound management specialty exam for the American Physical Therapy Association.

Happily married and a proud father of two children, Dr. Odom enjoys traveling with his family and watching football games as a balance to his professional responsibilities. Looking toward the future, he aims to achieve tenure at the University of Central Arkansas, expand student involvement within professional organizations so they become self-sustaining, and extend his leadership beyond his current roles within state and national associations. An essential part of his vision is increasing opportunities for students from underserved communities so they may return as qualified physical therapists who can improve access to health care across the State of Arkansas.

Dr. Odom's life and career stand as a testament to lifelong learning, mentorship and unwavering dedication to advancing physical therapy through clinical excellence, student success, scholarly output and service-driven leadership.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

# # #