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Turning Injury Into Opportunity: Luke’s Journey to Physical Therapy
Luke Storrs’ story is one of resilience and inspiration. After experiencing two ACL injuries during his college soccer career, his challenging recovery processes ignited a passion for physical therapy, influenced by the dedication of his own therapist. Now a graduate of LSU Health Shreveport’s physical therapy doctoral program, Luke brings that same compassion and commitment to his role at Ochsner LSU Health’s Academic Medical Center. Working with patients of all ages and treating a wide range of conditions, he values one-on-one connections and the supportive, collaborative spirit of his team. For Luke, physical therapy is not just a career but a calling to help his community overcome challenges, achieve their goals, and reclaim their strength and independence.
There are countless reasons patients turn to physical therapy, from recovering from an injury to navigating the effects of aging. Physical therapists are more than clinicians; they’re compassionate partners in healing, bringing patience, empathy and expertise to every session. For Luke Storrs, a dedicated physical therapist at Ochsner LSU Health’s Academic Medical Center, this role is deeply personal. Having experienced the challenges of recovery himself, Luke knows firsthand the resilience it takes to heal. His own journey as a patient not only inspired his career but also fueled his commitment to helping others reclaim strength and independence.
“I played soccer in college, and I tore my ACL in my left knee and had to go through surgery and rehab,” Luke shared. “Eight months later, right when I was just getting back to soccer again, I tore my other ACL, so I went through it twice.”
While recovering a second time, Luke’s appreciation for physical therapy deepened immeasurably.
“I experienced it from the other side, and I really liked it,” Luke recounted. “It was not easy, but I will never forget the passion of my therapist, Jason Parker. He had a profound impact on me and my decision to move forward with physical therapy.”
Today, Luke is proud to call himself an alumnus of LSU Health Shreveport’s physical therapy doctoral program. Graduating in 2010 as part of the program’s second-ever class, he now serves patients at Ochsner LSU Health’s Academic Medical Center. His work spans a wide range of conditions, including stroke recovery, sports injuries and trauma-related incidents such as car accidents.
“I get a lot of one-on-one time with my patients, which is really nice,” Luke explained. “I help patients ranging from age 6 to 96, and we have very tight knit team and lighthearted feel to our work in the Ambulatory Care Clinic. That rolls over into our patient care as well.”
For Luke, building connections with his patients and collaborating with his team are the most rewarding parts of his career. Physical therapy isn’t just his profession; it’s his calling. He’s driven by a commitment to see his community thrive and his patients regain the strength and independence they deserve.
“Sometimes we have to overcome a little bit of hardship to get better and improve,” Luke advised. “I love to motivate people and help them see where they can get to, achieve those goals, and have a little bit of fun as well.”
Luke’s passion is a powerful reminder that purpose often finds us in unexpected ways. When it does, we can rise to the challenge and make a lasting difference. Each day, Luke leans into that possibility, helping his patients take steps forward one goal at a time.
