DPT Portfolios

Alex Mitchell, SPT

Professional Goal Statement

As a physical therapy student with a lifelong love of learning, my professional goals center around acquiring a comprehensive understanding of human anatomy, biomechanics, and therapeutic techniques to effectively address patients’ physical challenges. I am passionate about providing not only exceptional clinical care but also empowering patients through meaningful education on their health journey. I aim to equip individuals with the knowledge and tools they need to actively participate in their recovery, prevent future injuries, and maintain a healthy lifestyle. By fostering open communication and patient-centered approaches, I strive to create a collaborative environment where patients feel supported, informed, and motivated to achieve their optimal well-being. Through ongoing professional growth, research, and interdisciplinary collaboration, I aim to make a lasting impact on individuals’ lives and contribute to the advancement of the physical therapy field.

Past Experience / Academic Career

May 2014: Biology, B.A. (Minor: Spanish), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

July 2016 – August 2021: Employed by UNC Dermatology as a Mohs Surgery Technician

August 2021 – 2024: Doctor of Physical Therapy – UNC Chapel Hill

Clinical Experience

2022: KORT Bryan Station | Outpatient Orthopedics, Lexington, KY

2023: UNC Hillsborough Acute Inpatient Rehab | Inpatient Neuro Rehab, Hillsborough, NC

2023: UNC REX at Holly Springs | Acute Rehab, Holly Springs, NC

2024: WakeMed Inpatient Rehabilitation | Inpatient Neuro Rehab, Raleigh, NC

Professional Objectives

• Take NPTE and obtain PT licensure (July 2024)
• Begin work as a physical therapist in either an outpatient neuro or inpatient rehab hospital setting (by October 2024)
• Continue involvement in UNC DPT academics by participating in Rounds or returning as a guest lecturer (2026)
• Become a certified clinical instructor (2026)
• Operate in a peer leadership role among other rehab specialists in team setting (2028)
• Become an Adjunct Professor or Clinical Faculty at an accredited university’s DPT program (2028)
• Collaborate with my husband to establish a home evaluation business, partnering with local clinics and professionals to provide home upgrades and accessibility changes to allow for safer living conditions for patients returning from hospital stays (2030)

Strategies for Obtaining Professional Objectives

• Took the following electives:
• Teacher Scholar, Gross Anatomy led by Dr. Ed Kernick
• Global and Interprofessional Approaches to Solve Complex Cases, led by Meg Zomorodi and Audra Rankin
• Advanced Spanish for the Medical Professions led by Monica Lopez-Vasquez
• Prepare for NPTE exam in July by utilizing an effective study plan and group study sessions

• Obtain employment at a clinic that emphasizes learning and mentorship opportunities
• Enroll in continuing education courses or certifications to foster ongoing growth as a healthcare professional, with Parkinson’s PWR! Moves being of particular interest
• Partner with ADA Compliance to best address limitations and safety hazards in patient’s homes

Self-Assessment

Strengths

• Communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills
• Life-long learning mentality
• Determination and genuine investment in others’ well-being
• Spanish-speaking proficiency
• Documentation efficiency and thoroughness
• Networking skills among mentors and peers
• Knowing when to ask for help

Areas for Professional Development

• Expanding knowledge of interventions
• Conflict resolution
• Building up clinical reasoning and evaluation skills that come with both education and practice
• Involvement in community and national professional activities(including the APTA)

Capstone Project

• Planned, recorded, and edited a video interview with Dr. Frank Church, a mentor and former professor/researcher at UNC, on his experience as a Person with Parkinson’s, his appreciation for the physical therapy profession, his ongoing research endeavors (including the narrative review we are co-authoring), and his advice for students in the medical professions. This interview is for use for the Neuro STEP UP program for education purposes and for general use in the DPT community. It is available for viewing here.
• Currently in process of co-authoring a narrative review paper on exercise, exerkines, and Parkinson’s disease. Hopeful submission date for the completed manuscript will be by end of summer 2024.

Interprofessional Education Activities:

I am graduating as a Distinguished Scholar for UNC’s Interprofessional Education and Practice. I was also asked to be a panel speaker and representative for the School of Allied Health at the IPEP Commencement Ceremony in May 2024. I relished the opportunity to publicly share my thoughts and my appreciation for how much more effective patient care becomes when all providers – and their specific knowledge and skill sets – have a seat at the table. Every discipline brings a unique set of skills and knowledge that complements my own, ultimately benefiting the health and wellbeing of our “n of 1”: the patient in front of us. Having interprofessional breadth of knowledge, even with some overlap, only enhances patient care – it then becomes even more crucial to synthesize those diverse perspectives into cohesive and comprehensive plans of care. My respect for other healthcare professionals and their contributions to patient care have only grown during my time as a Physical Therapy Student. My experiences have clearly demonstrated that open communication and collaboration with other providers are invaluable, and have long-term effects in reducing both financial and time burdens, for patients and providers alike. In my future practice, I will make it a priority to engage with other healthcare professionals to ensure optimal patient care, and I will advocate for the significance of interdisciplinary care in any future work environment.

 

Sample Work:

Inservice on Acute Treatment of Patients with Parkinson’s 

Lecture on Skin Cancer for Differential Diagnosis

MVMT Hub – Business Plan, collaboration with Hailey Humphrey

(will attach manuscript on Exercise, Exerkines and Parkinson’s Disease when complete)

Reflection and Acknowledgements:

As these three years of study draw to a close, I am filled with gratitude. There are so many people to thank for their encouragement, their mentorship, the laughs in the face of despair, the listening ears and shoulders to cry on, and the occasional kick in the pants. I will start with my classmates: I genuinely couldn’t have done this without you all in the trenches with me. Best teammates ever. Thank you for the laughs, the quick “hey I have a question” texts that turned into study sessions over the phone, the hugs, and your incredible brains and experiences. I can’t wait to cheer for you all from afar, saying with pride, “I was in their cohort!” when you all accomplish amazing things. Love you all always.

Next, to my educators –  my professors (shout out in particular to Jessica Cassidy, Ed Kernick, Bria Dunn, Lisa Johnston, and Mike McMorris for their particular roles) and my clinical instructors – Michael Hopper, Audrey Czejkowski, Adrian Glinkowski, Mike Marinello, and Ryan Molinaro. Thank you for supporting me, and the rest of the students you encounter, with such grace. Thank you for your mentorship and putting forth effort to try to care for us as both DPT students and developing human beings, particularly during a crazy period of transition and learning. Please keep up the good work to to guide and care for your students well along their various journeys.

And lastly, though encompassing them all would take a ton of time and space, I owe so much to my husband, my close friends, my family, my church family, my coworkers and managers at Growler Grlz, and my mentors. Your support, your patience with my stories and struggles, and your simple belief that I have what it takes are the major reasons I have made it through to graduation. Words fail me. I can only hope to pay forward some of the love, encouragement and support that you have shown to me these past three years.

Through the investment in me by so many, I have developed a love for teaching and firmly established my love of lifelong learning. Going forward, I hope to not only maintain, but grow, this passion within the field of physical therapy by being a practitioner that has her heart, mind, and talents invested in her spheres of influence.

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