Jill Cooper

Jill, a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant, received her Associate of Applied Science degree from Southwestern Community College in May, 2018, and her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from UNC-Chapel Hill in December, 1986. Jill worked for seven years as an Early Childhood Intervention Specialist at Western Carolina University’s Developmental Evaluation Center, where she first developed her passion for physical therapy. Awaiting  the birth of her second child, Jill put her career on hold to become a fulltime mother for the next eleven years. After her third child started Kindergarten, Jill began pursuing her dream of working in the field of physical therapy. During her education at SCC, Jill was a member of the National Honor Society, and was awarded the Student of Distinction Award and Outstanding Academic Excellence Award.  Jill made the President’s List and graduated Cum Laude in May, 2018.

Jill is a native of Lincoln County, NC, but has resided on the Cherokee Indian Reservation in Cherokee NC for the past 28 years with her husband Casey, and their three children, Kate, Jack and Mary. Outside of work, Jill spends her time with her family and close friends. Jill enjoys visiting her daughter, Kate, who recently received her B.A. degree from The George Washington University in Washington DC, and will be attending graduate school in the Fall.  Her son, Jack, is a recent graduate from Swain County High School and will be attending Stanford University in the Fall of 2019.  Her daughter, Mary, is an upcoming  freshman at Swain County High School, and is a nationally ranked competitive dancer.

Jill has a great passion for caring for others within her community, and is grateful for the long awaited opportunity to provide physical therapy services in her local community.