DPT Portfolios

Professional Goal Statement

To become an expert in the field of orthopedics and sports therapy, dedicated to the advancement of personal clinical skills and knowledge in order to provide individuals with evidence based treatments of musculoskeletal injuries with the goal of improving their physical abilities, confidence, and overall quality of life.

Career Plan

Past/Current Accomplishments

2010: Bachelor of Science in Sports Medicine, concentration in Pre-Physical Therapy; Mercyhurst University

2010-2011: Physiotherapist Aide, TAC Physiotherapy Incorporated; Toronto, Ontario, Canada

2014: Doctor of Physical Therapy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Chapel Hill, NC

Current Goals

• Complete clinical rotation at EXOS formerly Athlete’s Performance at Raleigh Orthopedics
• Successful Completion of Licensure Examination, July 2014
• Obtain Doctor of Physical Therapy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, August 2014
• Attend APTA Combined Sections Meeting conferences to further develop professional knowledge

Future Goals

• Acquire Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) credential, September 2014
• Acquire Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) certification, September 2014
• Acquire position in an outpatient orthopedic/sports therapy setting, October 2014
• Acquire Dry Needling Certification, 2015
• Potential Sports Residency, 2016 – Attain Certified Specialist Credential
• Successful Completion of Sports Certified Specialist examination, 2017
• Start my own outpatient orthopedic/sports therapy/strength conditioning private practice, 2020

Self Assessment

Strengths

• Building rapport with patients – communicating and explaining my treatment approach in order to increase the trust between patient and therapist; prioritizing the patient and their preferences in development of POC; ability to make patients feel comfortable while delivering treatment
• Teamwork approach to care – humbly recognizing I am part of a team and working with my colleagues to collaborate regarding complex patients in order to provide the patient with the most effective treatment Innovative Ideas for Exercise Prescription – utilize creativity in ther ex development to increase patient compliance and enjoyment of their therapy experience
• Eagerness to learn and develop clinical skills and knowledge – willingness to accept challenges and learn new concepts associated to patient care
• Knowledge of concepts related to advanced conditioning and strengthening – exercise progression and therex allocation

Areas for Professional Development

• Confidence with current knowledge and clinical experience base – further development of patient education and prognosis planning
• Being able to break down/simplify for low-level patients
• Organization and sequencing of initial examination – becoming more fluid and efficient; time management)
• Communication with MD/interdisciplinary team

Objectives

• Prepare and complete the national physical therapy board licensure examination
• Prepare and complete the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist examination
• Prepare and complete Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) certification course and examination
• Prepare and complete Dry Needling certification course and examination
• Review requirements and prepare application for sports residency programs across the nation
• Complete/fulfill requirement for Sports Certified Specialist credential
• Pursue meaningful and thought provoking continuing education opportunities to further clinical skills related to sports therapy
• Promote health and wellness in my community of residence (potential destinations include: Raleigh NC, San Diego/Orange Country CA, Pittsburgh PA, Denver CO)

Specific Strategies

1. Avoid complacency by striving for personal and professional progression and development; exercising both physical and mental discipline and perseverance
2. Identify relationships with individuals whom I respect for professional accountability/mentorship
3. Review, prepare, and complete the requirements necessary to attain CSCS, EMR, and SCS credentials to advance my clinical skills and knowledge for optimal patient care
4. Accept employment in a clinical setting founded on collaboration, teamwork, and a value of continuing education

Clinical Core and Electives

1. Advanced Orthopedic Assessment – PHYT 875; Fall 2013
2. Integrated Clinical Experience – PHYT 870; Spring 2014, Dr. Michael T. Gross, Dr. Lauren A. Quinn

Doctoral Project

My culminating capstone project is entitled: Kinetic Chain Concepts and Exercise Progression for Tennis Players. I decided to explore the literature and investigate injury prevention and rehabilitation concepts associated to the tennis athlete population. More specifically, I strived to research the theoretical framework of the kinetic chain and it’s value in exercise development and prescription for tennis players. I would like to acknowledge project advisor Michael T. Gross and committee members Mike McMorris, Matthew Medlin, Marija Cotic, and Ryan Mulligan.

Link to my personal DPT capstone page: http://dptcapstone.web.unc.edu/category/current-students-spring-of-2014/entry-level-students-current-students-spring-of-2014/cotic-tomislav/

Examples of Work Completed at UNC

• In-service: The Effects of a Kinetic Chain Exercise Program on Injury Prevention and Performance in Elite Junior Tennis Players (Clinical Rotation #2 – Cincinnati Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Center: Cincinnati, OH); (File size too large – available upon request)
• In-service: Functional Outcome Measures in Inpatient Rehabilitation (Clinical Rotation #3) – Scotland Memorial Hospital: Laurinburg, NC); FunctionalOutcomes_CoticForScotland
• Research Paper: Overhead Athletes and Their Hips – Femoral Acetabular Impingement, Hip Pathomechanics and The Kinetic Chain (Advanced Orthopedic Course Elective – PHYT 875, Fall 2013); OverheadAthletes&TheirHips_CoticPHYT875
• Various discussion board posts PHYT 875 Advanced Orthopedic Assessment elective: PRP_Injections, Lateral_Epicondylitis, Optimal Muscle Recovery

Reflection

I will continue to use the information and experience I received here at The University of North Carolina to develop as a physical therapist. I need to harness the skills I have developed and will further acquire and be confident in what I know, with more experience in the field. Learning is a continuous process and I am only going to be able to develop all that I have learned at school and during clinical experiences by totally engaging in and immersing myself in my final clinical to gain the experience I need to progress as a physical therapist. I am eager to learn and willing to challenge myself, seek feedback regarding clinical skills and reasoning, and utilize “free” time to further my clinical skills and knowledge to provide patients with the utmost optimal care, which they deserve. I do not want to just be a rehabilitator. I want to be a consultant. Coach. Educator. And perhaps most importantly, a health and wellness enthusiast and entrepreneur. I have been blessed with the knowledge and potential to enhance someone’s life, not just restore it.

Final reflection document from PHYT 839 Practice Issues course (if you have some time to read it): Reflection

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