Vanderbilt Tullahoma-Harton Hospital team members present Ed Moyers, PT, physical therapist, with the 2026 Patient Family Choice Award.
For Ed Moyers, PT, physical therapy is about more than helping a patient move better. It is also about helping people believe they can get better.
“Treat everybody as family,” said Moyers, who works for Rehabilitation Services at Vanderbilt Tullahoma-Harton Hospital. “Realize patients are allowed to have bad days. Nobody’s perfect. And show everybody grace.”
That philosophy has shaped Moyers’ approach to physical therapy and earned him recognition as the 2026 Patient and Family Choice Award winner for Vanderbilt Tullahoma-Harton Hospital.
Nominations are submitted by patients and families. The award honors employees from across Vanderbilt Health who act with compassion and excellence to provide an exceptional experience for patients and their families. This year, Vanderbilt Health’s patient and family advisory councils bestowed awards on six individuals from Vanderbilt University Hospital, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital, Vanderbilt Adult Ambulatory Clinics, Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital and Vanderbilt Tullahoma-Harton Hospital.
For Moyers, the recognition is meaningful because it reflects both sides of his work.
“It’s a validation that you’re giving your patients your best care,” he said. “You’re trying to meet all their needs, from a behavioral standpoint to physical therapy and rehab. The patients are seeing the benefit and appreciating the work that you’re doing.”
Patients repeatedly describe Moyers as knowledgeable, encouraging and compassionate.
“I have had consistently excellent care from Ed Moyers,” one patient wrote. “He is focused on my therapy when I’m there, and his dedication and upbeat personality help make it easier for me to tolerate a sometimes painful session.”
Another patient cited his “caring patient interaction,” which led the person to recommend him to several others.
Moyers believes that emotional support is an essential part of physical rehabilitation.
“When patients are in pain for long periods of time, it can cause a lot of depression,” he said. “Being able to bring energy and a feeling that you’ve got their back is key to helping patients decrease their anxiety and have the ability to heal.”
His understanding of the whole-person approach has developed throughout his career, continuing to refine his practice through mentors, research and hands-on learning.
For one patient, Moyers’ attention to detail had an impact beyond the original reason for treatment. The patient, who was rehabbing a back injury from a fall, mentioned an unusual appearance in one hand. Moyers recognized it might be a nerve problem. The patient later underwent several unsuccessful hand surgeries, but Moyers continued working with them to strengthen the hand and stimulate the nerves in the arm and fingers.
“All the while he has explained each exercise, as well as offering his hope in the process I am still working through,” the patient wrote. “Without his expertise and positive reinforcement, I would have given up.”
“He does not stay stagnant,” said co-worker Noi Fraker, PT. “He is constantly enhancing and refining his therapy toolbox through research, self-study or hands-on learning.”
That thoroughness extends beyond the treatment session. Fraker recalled Moyers working with a complex patient who needed additional time and specialized equipment. Moyers adjusted his schedule, researched the best brace and provider, worked with the family, and continued following up after surgery to make sure the patient was recovering appropriately.
Ultimately, Moyers sees physical therapy as a profession built on continual growth, for both the patient and the therapist.
“It’s OK to not be perfect,” he said. “We’re constantly growing; we’re constantly maturing; we’re constantly improving. And as long as you’re doing that, everything will work out.”
