DPT Portfolios

Professional Goal Statement

Following graduating from the illustrious University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a doctorate in physical therapy, I intend to work in an outpatient orthopedic clinic somewhere in the local triangle area. Although, various areas of physical therapy peaked my interested throughout my physical therapy academic matriculation. Orthopedics and sports medicine have always remained as my highly favorited physical therapy topics and most desirable clinical settings. I currently aspire to work in an outpatient orthopedic setting for at least 8-15 years and then transition to a sports medicine clinic. My goal is to incorporate my love of exercise and sports with my passion for caring for others to help my patients routinely receive optimal care to assist in their return to the activities they are passionate about.

 

Career Plan

• Pass Accomplishments
  • Graduated from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a B.S. in Kinesiology and a minor in Nutrition
• Clinical Experience
  • NHRMC Oleander Rehab; Wilmington, NC – 8 Weeks
    • Outpatient Orthopedics
  • UNC Hospitals; Chapel Hill, NC – 8 Weeks
    • Acute Care
  • Piedmont Health Senior Care (PACE); Pittsboro, NC – 8 Weeks
    • Neuromuscular Outpatient Rehab
  • Integrated Clinical Experience Elective: University Physical Therapy; Hillsborough, NC – 60 Hours
    • Outpatient Orthopedics
  • Emory Health; Atlanta, GA – 12 Weeks
    • Outpatient Orthopedics
  • Future Plans/Objectives
    • Graduate from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy
    • Pass the NPTE on the first attempt
    • Begin working in an Outpatient Orthopedics Clinic in Raleigh/Durham, NC
    • Obtain my Dry Needle Certification
    • Become a Clinical Instructor

 

Self-Assessment

• Strengths
  • Building quality patient rapport
  • Expansive clinical tool box
  • Ability to work well with others of diverse backgrounds
  • Professionalism
• Areas for Professional Development
  • Increase my depth of knowledge and understanding of billing and insurance
  • Continue to improve my efficiency and flow during initial evaluations
  • Ability to multi-task (see more than one patient at a time)

 

Specific Strategies

• Efficiently & effectively study for the NPTE which entails creating and following a study plan/schedule, allowing myself adequate time to study/prepare, and utilizing reputable study resources
• Routinely participate in Continuing Education Courses to obtain my Dry Needling Certification and to stay up to date with current literature/best practice guidelines
• Finding and connecting with a knowledgeable mentor who can provide beneficial guidance and advice
• Maintaining connections with current classmates and faculty
• Maintain my APTA membership and attend CSM when permitted

 

Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Through my experiences at UNC-Greensboro in combination with my experiences at UNC-Chapel Hill, I have further increased my depth of knowledge and passion for assisting those within marginalized groups. It was extremely beneficial and useful to learn about the major role that insurance and health literacy can have on a patient’s holistic health and utilization of healthcare services. Although we all joined the healthcare profession to assist others in optimizing and maintaining their health/functional status. Insurance, socioeconomic status, and accessibility can all negatively impact the quality of care a patient receives. It is my goal to use this knowledge regarding the social determinants of health which was acquired during physical therapy school, to motivate me to participate in pro-bono clinics and become an advocate for those who are unfortunately forgotten and disregarded.

 

Product Examples

• Capstone Project Website: Arthrogenic Muscle Inhibition
  • https://dptcapstone.web.unc.edu/2023/05/19/arthrogenic-muscle-inhibition/
• Osteoporosis Background & Proposed Exercise Interventions
  • https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zbOCkDDvfhUnYerMPRPMDCbjApPgjH9aIIVsg4iDXG4/edit?usp=sharing

 

Reflective statement and assessment of progress toward goal.

As I reflect on my academic journey through UNC’s Doctorate of Physical Therapy program and as I reflect on who I was when I first began the program and who I am now.  I believe I have grown so much not only as a student or clinician but as a person as well, and I give an enormous amount of credit to the program for assisting in my growth. Attending graduate school at one of the nation’s top universities consisted of a very rigorous and challenging journey which at times made me doubt my abilities and made me question if I truly belonged both in the program and in the profession. However, these challenging times motivated me to prove to myself that I do belong and that I am worthy and capable of ultimately becoming a UNC graduate and a licensed physical therapist. My PT school matriculation allowed me to grow and become the intelligent and respectful person and clinician that I always desired to be. With this premier education from UNC and through the mentorship that I have received thus far. I have no doubt in my mind that I will achieve every professional goal that I set out for myself.

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