Apr 10 2016
Marrale, Abbie
Professional Goal Statement:
My professional goals are continuously developing as I learn new skills and expand my practice. My professional passions center upon Women’s and Men’s health, and upon graduation from the DPT program at UNC-Chapel Hill I will work towards furthering these specialty skills. Specifically, I hope to gain employment with a practice that utilizes a holistic approach and offers a mentorship program with a variety of clinicians. After establishing myself as a physical therapist and becoming comfortable with the practice, I will enter into a Women’s & Men’s Health residency in order to further develop my knowledge and skills, and become a certified pelvic floor and/or lymphedema physical therapist. Throughout my career I aim to raise awareness and educate on the importance of Women’s and Men’s Health physical therapy through research, professional relationships, patient relationships, and teaching.
Career Plan:
Accomplished Experiences
- Bachelor of Science: Kinesiology Bachelor of Science: Psychology (double degree) -University of Massachusetts, Amherst 2011
- Research Assistant, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Hypertension -Brigham and Women’s Hospital 2011-2013
- Doctor of Physical Therapy -University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 2016
- Member of the Triangle Pelvic Rehab Study Group 2014-ongoing
- Capstone: The Effects of Yoga and Meditation as a Pain Management Technique in Women with Chronic Pelvic Pain
- Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT), 200-hr Yoga Teacher Training -2015
- Women’s & Men’s Health PT rotation – UNC 2016
Anticipated Experiences:
- Clinical Experience in Pelvic Floor PT – Triangle Area, NC 2016-2017
- Residency in Women’s Health –Duke University 2017-2018
- Board Certified Women’s Health Physical Therapist – 2018-2019
- Pursue positions that offer patient care, opportunities for community involvement, raising awareness of pelvic floor dysfunction, and health promotion – 2019
- Lifelong involvement in the International Pelvic Pain Society (IPPS) through regular attendance to conferences and related contributions
- Lifelong APTA membership and involvement in NCPTA
Self Assessment:
- Strengths
- Strong communication skills
- Leadership experience as co-coordination with S.H.A.C.
- Mentor in Women’s & Men’s Health Physical Therapy
- Strong Women’s & Men’s Health PT rotation & completion of Herman & Wallace PF1 course
- Involved & former presenter to Triangle Pelvic Health Study Group
- Interdisciplinary background including: research in gestational diabetes & lifestyle change, interdisciplinary coordinator at UNC’s Student Health Action Coalition (SHAC), Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT- 200hr)
- Organized, detail oriented, strong time-management skills, reliable/accountable
- Areas of Professional Development
- Complete advance knowledge of community resources for patients
- Advance knowledge and interaction with other medical treatments for pelvic floor dysfunction and the associated providers
- Staying current on evidence-based physical therapy through group study, continuing education, and independent electronic database searches
- Continue cultivating professional network and establishing career mentors
Objectives:
- My special/specific area of interest is pelvic floor physical therapy. Through creating and maintaining contact with health professionals in the Triangle, UNC affiliated therapists/specialists, and continued interdisciplinary education on this topic I plan to become a Board Certified Women’s Health Physical Therapist.
- By graduation I will have taken the first continuing education course from Herman & Wallace to begin the women’s health certification process and I will have completed a pelvic floor physical therapy rotation
- I will prepare and sit for the Federation of State Board of Physical Therapy Exam on July 19, 2016.
- Investigate Women’s & Men’s Health Residency programs and inquire with local therapists to aid the decision when, where, and if pursing this type of residency will be beneficial toward my professional goals.
- By December 2016 I will have taken Herman & Wallace pelvic floor course 2A in order to become a more well rounded pelvic floor PT.
Specific Strategies for addressing your development needs and interests.
- Develop reasonable and effective study plan and schedule for passing licensure exam for July 2016
- Attend networking events, conferences, and stay current in the trending social media websites/blogs/tweets etc to help engage in other networking opportunities
- Maintain current mentor and/or find other mentors in the Triangle area to help facilitate my learning in the Women’s Health Field.
- Research and apply for Women’s Health Residency programs during 2016/2017 academic year
- Attend Herman & Wallace Pelvic Floor course I, March 2016
- Attend Herman & Wallace Pelvic Floor course 2A, December 2016
- Complete Women’s Health clinical rotation
- Complete capstone project with a focus in yoga, meditation, and breathing techniques for pelvic pain
Electives, Capstone, & Clinical Rotations:
PHYT 875 – Advanced Orthopedic Assessment and Intervention
Differential Diagnosis of Low Back Pain and Pelvic Girdle Pain in Pregnant Women
PHYT 885 – Advanced Neuromuscular Intervention
PHYT 854 – Capstone Project
The Effects of Yoga and Meditation as a Pain Management Technique in Women with Chronic Pelvic Pain
PHYT 752 – Evidence Based Practice II
PHYT 824 – Health Promotion and Wellness
Reflective Statement:
When starting my journey to become a physical therapist, it was during the interview process at UNC that I knew I would find a home in North Carolina. The environment created by the professors, students, opportunities, and clinical experiences have been transformative in shaping who I am as an entry-level clinician and who I ultimately aspire to become. When educating patients on the role of the pelvic floor and the core, we often say that the core is only as strong as its weakest link. Transferring this analogy to my graduate and professional experience, I can confidently attest to having a strong core through and through. I am comfortably and confidently set on my path to achieve my goals, and have no doubt of the accomplishments that I am capable of.
