Celebrating the Life of Ryan Dulling, DPT
It is with profound sadness that the Foothills family remembers our colleague, friend, and mentor, Ryan Dulling, DPT, who passed away on August 7, 2026, at the age of 38.
Ryan made an impact that reached far beyond the walls of the clinic. Whether he was guiding a patient through their PT session or sharing his knowledge and insight with a fellow PT, he always gave his full attention. That genuine interest in others became a defining part of his life and the culture he created at Foothills.
A Physical Therapist Who Put People First
Ryan earned both his bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from East Tennessee State University. Over more than a decade in the profession, he continued to expand his clinical knowledge while sharing what he learned with others.
Ryan was also a guest clinician, lecturer, and educator who presented on subjects ranging from chronic pain to athlete movement analysis.
But credentials alone don’t explain what made Ryan special. Physical therapy gave Ryan the opportunity to meet people during difficult moments and stay alongside them as they worked toward the activities and lives that mattered to them.
He believed rehabilitation was about the person in front of him, and his commitment to individualized care helped shape the culture at Foothills. Ryan founded the practice with a clear purpose: to move away from high-volume care and give patients meaningful, one-on-one attention.
That philosophy will continue to remain essential to our approach.
The Person Behind the Physical Therapist
As much as Ryan cared about his profession, his greatest joy was his family.
He deeply loved his wife, Jenna, and treasured being a dad to Carson and Vivian. Family adventures, traveling together, and ordinary time at home all mattered to him. The activity was often secondary. Being together was what counted.
Ryan also knew how to enjoy life. He loved Tennessee football, the Boston Red Sox, snow skiing, traveling, and a Friday night at Señor Taco. He was someone equally comfortable challenging himself under a heavy barbell, skiing down a black diamond, and spending quiet time at home with his family.
A Legacy That Lives Through Foothills
Ryan’s loss is deeply felt by our entire team. We will remember him for his extraordinary joy and kindness, and as someone who could make the person he was speaking with feel like the only person in the room.
For everyone at Foothills, carrying Ryan’s legacy forward means continuing to care for people with the attention, compassion, curiosity, and commitment he valued so deeply.
We will miss Ryan as a colleague, a boss, a friend, and a physical therapist. More importantly, we will miss him as a man who made an extraordinary difference in his life.