PHOTO: Perry Taylor

As the first XULA graduate to finish USC’s Early Assurance Program, DaNya Horne is leaving a legacy for those who follow.

BY YASMINE GRIMBLE MCG ’16

FOR DANYA HORNE DPT ’26, the road to becoming a physical therapist began not in a classroom, but on a basketball court and on a track, where she would eventually become a two-time All-American.

Growing up in Omaha, Neb., Horne always knew she wanted to work in medicine. When the opportunity came to tour HBCUs across the country, she wound up falling in love with one institution: Xavier University of Louisiana (XULA), in the heart of New Orleans. Known for producing more Black medical school applicants than any other university in the nation, XULA was an easy choice.

“I knew I wanted to be in the medical field, and Xavier is known for producing the most Black doctors in the country, so there was no question about my decision,” Horne says.

At XULA, she excelled in the classroom and competed as a shot put and discus thrower, earning All-American honors twice. But it was an injury that pointed her career in its ultimate direction.

Years of playing basketball had taken a toll on her knees, and her physician referred her to physical therapy to help her recover. Her curiosity deepened through a four-year STEM program called Eureka! with Girls Inc. of Omaha, where a physical therapy internship gave her a firsthand look at the profession’s scope and specialties.

“That ultimately created the foundation for my career and education,” she says.

A Path Built on Mentorship

At XULA, Horne joined the university’s pre-physical therapy club and was introduced to the USC-XULA Early Assurance Program, a partnership that creates a pathway for promising students into USC’s doctor of physical therapy program.

In addition to USC faculty mentorship and summer research opportunities, students are accepted into USC’s physical therapy program so long as they maintain a 3.2 GPA and complete their prerequisite courses and required clinical experience hours.

The mentors she encountered made all the difference. Adili Rikonjda DPT ’23 and Terry Richardson DPT ’14 introduced Horne to the program, while Didi Matthews DPT ‘02 joined as a mentor.

“Dr. Matthews truly treated me like family. No question or thought was unacknowledged,” Horne says. “Seeing students, faculty and professors in these spaces was so important to me. We are always taught to dream big, but it can be difficult to imagine yourself in a space without any guidance or familiarity.”

Finding Her Place at USC

USC’s standing as one of the top-ranked physical therapy programs in the country was a primary draw. Once inside, Horne found an environment that pushed students to be precise and quickly adaptable.

“USC ensures that we are prepared for any situation,” she says. “The depth of knowledge that we are exposed to is unique because we have access to some of the greatest clinicians in our field who we can talk to in the hallways or email for questions.”

Her most meaningful clinical experience came during her final rotation at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital, where she treated patients in the day rehab program. Community outings, cooking groups and real-world skills practice gave her a deep appreciation for the physical therapist’s role beyond the clinic walls.

Proof of Concept

At Commencement on May 15, Horne officially becomes the first XULA student to complete the Early Assurance Program from start to finish, a milestone she carries with both pride and purpose.

“It feels like a responsibility, a legacy and a proof of concept,” she says. “There is something powerful about stepping into a program where there is no ‘previous version of you’ to model the experience after.”

Next, Horne plans to pursue neurological and day rehabilitation clinical roles, with a goal of applying to a neurologic physical therapy residency. Her long-term vision includes a potential private practice, a return to academia or work in public health — all centered on the neurological population she has come to love.

To XULA students considering the Early Assurance Program, her advice is simple: Apply with intention, lean on every resource available and invest in the people around you.

“Your bonds will be so strong,” she says. “You will understand what the true meaning of connection means.”

The Division’s Commencement Ceremony will take place Friday, May 15 at 4:30 in Bovard Auditorium. For more information, visit our Commencement webpage.