May 01 2018

Guneet Chawla

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Professional Goal Statement:

I hope to become a well-rounded clinician who provides compassionate, holistic, and patient-centered care. At this time, I plan to work in an outpatient orthopedic clinic, while furthering my interests in aging, balance, and chronic pain. I also want to get involved with community-level health wellness and prevention initiatives, and with advocacy efforts for the physical therapy profession. Over the course of my career, I will strive to remain current with the latest literature, and contribute in any way I can to the knowledgebase of evidence-based practice and physical therapy outcomes data.

 

Career Plan:

  • May 2015: Graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) – Health Policy & Management
  • August 2015-2018: Enrolled in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at UNC-Chapel Hill
    • Clinical Rotation 1 (8 weeks): Greenville Memorial Hospital, Greenville, SC, Acute Care
    • Clinical Rotation 2 (8 weeks): NC Center for Physical Therapy, Durham, NC, Outpatient Orthopedics
    • Clinical Rotation 3 (8 weeks): Carolinas Rehabilitation, Charlotte, NC, Inpatient Rehabilitation
    • Integrated Clinical Experience (60 hours): University Physical Therapy, Hillsborough, NC, Outpatient Orthopedics
    • Clinical Rotation 4 (12 weeks): STEPS for Recovery, Cary, NC, Outpatient Neuro
  • April 2018: International Service Learning Trip to Guatemal
  • August 2018: Graduate from the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at UNC-CH
  • October 2018: Sit for National Physical Therapy Examination
  • December 2018: Obtain full-time employment in outpatient orthopedic setting
  • February 2019: Present findings from research capstone project at the Combined Sections Meeting in the form of a platform or poster presentation (anticipated)
  • Within 1 year of employment: Pursue mentorship opportunities and develop a network of mentors
  • Within 3 years of employment: Get involved with a community initiative focusing on aging or falls prevention
  • Within 5 years of employment: Become a clinical instructor

Other Professional activities:

  • Student Health Action Coalition
    • PT Student Representative (2016-2017)
    • Clinic Volunteer
    • Latino Health Fair – March 2016
  • UNC Allied Health Ambassador
    • Organized Allied Health Week – November 2016
  • Conferences Attended:
    • NCPTA Student Conclave (March 2018)
    • NCPTA Annual Conference (October 2016)
    • NCPTA Legislative Day (April 2016)
    • UNC Minority Health Conference (February 2016)

Self-Assessment:

Strengths:

  • Ability to develop rapport with patients
  • Accountability, professionalism, and cultural competency
  • Experience in various settings of physical therapy practice
  • Interpersonal communication
  • Experience working in interdisciplinary teams
  • Providing patient education
  • Undergraduate degree in Health Policy & Management

Areas for Further Development:

  • Assessing and treating patients with highly complex orthopedic or neurologiacal conditions
  • Increase involvement in advocacy efforts
  • Improve ability to speak and comprehend Spanish for clinical use
  • Determining equipment needs

Areas of Interest:

  • Outpatient Orthopedics
  • Geriatrics/aging
  • Chronic pain
  • Balance and vestibular rehabilitation
  • Leadership & Management

Objectives:

  • Graduate from UNC DPT Program in August 2018
  • Pass National Physical Therapy Examination in October 2012
  • Maintain APTA membership throughout my career
  • Remain up-to-date with evidence-based practice

Strategies:

  • Identify mentor(s) who will be beneficial to my professional growth and development in my area(s) of interest
  • Attend physical therapy conferences regularly throughout my career

Electives:

  • Advanced Orthopedic Assessment and Intervention, Fall 2017
  • Research Elective, Fall 2017 (in preparation for capstone project)
  • Integrated Clinical Experience (outpatient ortho), Spring 2018
  • Guatemala Service Learning Trip, Spring 2018

Product Examples:

  1. Auditory Cues and Step Length during Treadmill Gait in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease – For my research elective and capstone project during 3rd year, I conducted a research project with my classmate, Maddie Wygand. I presented my findings at UNC Center for Rehabilitation Care and in the form of a manuscript, which will be submitted for publishing.
  2. Critically Appraised Topic – During my Evidenced Based Practice II course, completed a Critically Appraised Topic on a clinical question of interest. I was able to improve my skills in finding and appraising research articles.
  3. Physical Therapy Management of Subacromial Impingement Syndrome in Non-Athlete Populations – This was a paper I wrote for my Advanced Orthopedic Assessment and Treatment Course. I performed a literature review and identified evidence-based practices for the evaluation and treatment of Subacromial Impingement Syndrome.

Reflection:

I am extremely thankful for the opportunity to attend the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at UNC-Chapel Hill. This program has been challenging, but it has really helped me to grow as a person and as a professional. The faculty members and my classmates have played a significant role in my experience here and I really value the relationships I have built with every single one of them.  In addition to all of the clinical information and skills that I have gained in the past 3 years, I am coming away with a number of soft skills that will be essential to my practice as a clinician.

I came into the program 3 years ago with many different interests and this program really provided me with many opportunities to explore those interests through the coursework, research projects, and clinical experiences. Although I still have varied clinical interests, I am currently planning to work in an outpatient orthopedic setting or an outpatient setting that offers both orthopedic and neurological opportunities, as well as build upon my interests in older adults, chronic pain, wellness/prevention, and advocacy.

I am excited to be embarking on this journey and look forward to seeing where it will take me!

2 responses so far




2 Responses to “Guneet Chawla”

  1.   Lisa Johnstonon 18 Jun 2018 at 7:36 am

    Guneet: Great job on your portfolio. Thanks for sharing your goals. I know you will do great! Good luck. Lisa

    Reply

  2.   Jennifer Cookeon 18 Jun 2018 at 1:56 pm

    Guneet – you have grown into a well-rounded professional with diverse interests and contributions you can bring to the field. I look forward to hearing about everything you accomplish!

    Reply

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