From Injury to Inspiration

A High School Injury Sparked Bobby Ismail’s Passion for Physical Therapy and a Career of Giving Back

By Kimberly Horg

Sometimes, a single event can change the trajectory of a person’s life. Little did Bobby Ismail know at the time that a high school football game would shape his life forever.

After sustaining an injury while playing for Downey High School in Modesto, he went to physical therapy at Golden Bear Physical Therapy Rehabilitation and Wellness (GBPT). His initial dream was to go to medical school but receiving treatment at GBPT sparked his interest in physical therapy, which grew with each visit. The experience opened his eyes to a different approach to patient care, and it was then he became determined to work there someday.

“I was fascinated with my physical therapy experience because it helped me get back to playing football,” said Ismail. “I liked how they treated all their patients, and I wanted to be able to do the same in the future.”

Determined to make physical therapy his career, Ismail began the academic journey to get there. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from Sacramento State and a Master of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of the Pacific, he returned to GBPT in 1995 and joined the team as a staff therapist.

Two years later, when an opportunity presented itself, he acquired the practice.

Today, Ismail’s journey has come full circle. He is now GBPT’s president, and he recently has become a member of Stanislaus State’s Foundation Board of Directors, finding even more ways to give back.

For more than 30 years, Ismail has remained committed to providing patients with the best care available. As president of GBPT, he is dedicated to all aspects of the business. In 2016, he completed his doctorate in physical therapy from the Evidence in Motion Institute of Health Professions.

“Health care is dear to my heart and people in our community need health care,” Ismail said. “Working in physical therapy, I try to get involved to improve access to care. I had a dream to help other athletes, and I wanted to give back to the community I call home.”

Giving back is a theme that runs deep in the Ismail family. Ismail donates his time to Stan State and his church, the Assyrian Church of the East. He follows in the footsteps of his grandfather, Malik Yako Malik Ismail, who was a man of faith serving the Assyrian community. Ismail is proud to show some of the same traits. His grandfather fought in World War I with allied forces in the Middle East. He led Assyrian battalions and was known as a warrior.

His family wanted to formally recognize their grandfather’s courage, and since he was an Assyrian warrior, they came together when there was an opportunity to name a collaborative working space on the second floor of the Vasché Library, now known as Warrior Way.

The family’s $50,000 pledge was directed toward The Next Chapter Library Campaign Fund for Sustainability and Innovation, supporting technology, furnishings, innovation and state-of-the-art student support.

“Many factors led us to want to give back to Stan State,” Ismail said. “We have ties to the University, so the naming of the ‘Warrior Way’ spoke to us.”

He said his grandfather has been greatly missed since his passing in 1974, so to name a space in his honor keeps his name alive.

“It was amazing to see the entire family rejoice when we first saw the sign and the space,” Ismail said. “It was the perfect way to honor our grandfather.”

I wanted to be part of a group that brings more opportunities to students. A lot of students go away to college but I want to create programs here so students want to stay locally and give back to their community.

- Bobby Ismail

Ismail’s personal connection to Stan State began long before he joined the Foundation Board. After graduating high school, Ismail moved to Turlock and was just a few blocks away from the Stanislaus State campus. It was during this time that he was attending Modesto Junior College and recalled that he would often walk to the Library at Stan State to study. It’s where his fond memories of the University first began.

Back then, the building was still in its original form, constructed in the 1960s with dark wood features and private rooms for studying. It was not the bright, open space it is today but a spot where he could concentrate on his studies.

“For me, the Library is nostalgic,” Ismail said. “It was my study zone and is a place that is dear to my heart.”

His commitment to education extends beyond his own experiences. Ismail is the youngest of four boys. His brother John lives in Modesto, Sargon lives in Turlock, and Sam lives in Canada. His parents, Zaya and Marie Ismail, lived in Syria before immigrating to Ontario, Canada, where Bobby was born.

Ismail and his wife, Tina, have six children: Isabel, Gabrielle,

Zachery, Zoey, Elise and Elivia. The couple’s two eldest attend Stan State, studying public health. He plans to encourage his other children to attend Stanislaus State, too. He found that students get both a high-quality and affordable education.

“A lot of students go away to college, but I want to create programs here so students who want to stay local can and give back to their community,” he said. “Stanislaus State is recognized nationally and ranks high as a University, which I think is long overdue,” said Ismail.

His dedication to community and education inspired him to get more involved. His friends who are Foundation Board members — Ryan Fitzpatrick, John Jacinto, Edwin Rizo and Manmeet Grewal — encouraged him to join the board for years. Now that his daughters are Stan State students, the timing seemed right.

“I wanted to be part of a group that brings more opportunities to students,” Ismail said. “I am in a place in my career where I have time to give, and it was a wise decision to allocate my time here. This is something I have wanted to do for a while.”

Additionally, he hopes to have a positive impact during his time as a board member by helping improve access to quality education while connecting Stan State to more health and wellness initiatives and educational pathways.

“It is a privilege to serve as a board member,” he said. “My friends who serve have been very supportive, and I look forward to the years ahead and serving together.”

Despite his busy schedule, Ismail isn’t slowing down. While committed to working on behalf of the University, he continues to pursue his entrepreneurial ventures. He created a new business in Modesto named F45 Training, a boutique exercise training studio. F45 stands for “functional 45-minute workouts.”

While his passion started in the physical therapy field, he has added general health and wellness through functional exercise.

“F45 Training is committed to a life changing team training approach to exercise and overall well-being,” Ismail said. “My goal is to continue to promote health and wellness to our community.

“It is in my DNA to help people,” Ismail said. “Working in health care allows me the chance to carry on that tradition.”