DPT Portfolios

Professional Goal Statement

I aspire to be a knowledgeable and versatile physical therapist with expertise in neurological diagnoses, who is adept at implementing evidence based practice. I will lead by example and not only be an advocate for my patients but an advocate for my profession as well. I hope to foster enriching relationships based in collaboration with my colleagues and with all healthcare professionals to better implement patient centered care. By committing to being a lifelong learner, I will strive to always be honing my skills and to be an educational resource for those with whom I work as well.

Career Plan

Past:

• Biology and Spanish B.A., UNC Chapel Hill 2012

Current:

• UNC Doctor of Physical Therapy Program (August 2015-August 2018)
• Clinical Rotation 1: UNC Hospital | Chapel Hill, NC (Acute Care)
• Clinical Rotation 2: International Multiple Sclerosis Management Practice | New York, NY (Outpatient Neuro- MS specific)
• Clinical Rotation 3: Duke Outpatient Physical Therapy Knightdale | Knightdale, NC (Outpatient Ortho)
• Clinical Rotation 4: UNC Center for Rehabilitation Care | Chapel Hill, NC (Outpatient Neuro)
• MS Step Up Program 2016-2018
  • Organize and lead MS Walk Team in Raleigh, NC 2017
  • Present poster at CMSC 2017
  • Attend CMSC 2017 and 2018
  • Plan and implement research project as a part of Capstone 2017-2018
  • Organize Journal Club 2017-2018
  • Present case study at Ground Rounds 2018
  • Organize and execute “Free from Falls” falls prevention program 2018
• Became LSVT BIG certified December 2017
• Participated in UNC Physical Therapy Outreach Service Learning Trip to Guatemala in Spring 2018

Future Plans and Goals:

• • Graduate as DPT – UNC Chapel Hill August 2018
  • Sit for licensure exam October 2018
  • Attain a full-time position as a physical therapist in NC 2018
  • Continue to participate in MS STEP UP’s Volunteer Leadership Team
  • Sit for the MSCS exam by 2021
  • Become NCS certified by 2028

Self Assessment

• • Strengths: Interpersonal communication and relationship building, commitment to learning, increased clinical experience in MS with an MS specific clinical rotation, engaging the Latino community, Spanish heritage speaker
  • Areas for Development: orthopedic evaluation and treatment, research, experience with vestibular rehabilitation

Objectives

• Attend at least one APTA conference in 2017-2018
• Sit for and pass the physical therapy licensure board examination in October 2018
• Obtain a full time job with an established mentorship program post-graduation

Specific Strategies for Addressing my Development Needs and Interests

• Perform MS specific research under the supervision of Dr. Prue Plummer for my capstone project and present this research at a national conference
• Participate in the UNC Physical Therapy Guatemala Service Learning Trip and enroll in the advanced Spanish for healthcare professionals course thought the UNC School of Public Health
• Establish a study plan and sit for the physical therapy licensing exam
• Identify and network with individuals who work at clinics or hospital systems with mentorship opportunities and specialists in my desired specialties
• Take continuing education courses in areas that I need further development

Samples of Products Created During DPT Program

• Co-presented a research poster at the 2017 Consortium of MS Centers (CMSC) Annual Meeting: “Superior multiple sclerosis competencies in physical therapy students who participate in optional 2-year specialty education track”
• Co-presented “ICU Delirium & Communicating with the Agitated Patient” In-Service
• Presented “Perturbation-based Balance Training in Practice” In-Service
• Co-presented at UNC PT Rounds: Multiple Sclerosis Case Study
• Updated Neuro Special Topics Webpage: Whole Body Vibration Therapy
• Critically Appraised Topic on Balance-Based Torso-Weighting
• Capstone Project: Patient-centered Care for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis: Identifying and Incorporating Patient Perspectives into Practice

Reflective Statement 

The academic curriculum and experiences provided by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program have helped me grow leaps and bounds over the past three years. I have developed a passion I did not know could exist for giving back in the form of professional excellence and being an advocate for the profession. From organizing Difference Matters Lunch and Learns as an Allied Health Ambassador to helping individuals in need while on a service learning trip in Guatemala, I have seen the positive impact that can be made locally and internationally when a group of like-minded people get together that want to make a difference. Through hard work and the help of my classmates and faculty, I have experienced tremendous personal and professional growth; and I am so proud of who I have become.

When starting PT school, I thought my previous career in sports marketing would translate to a clinical interest in sports medicine but that definitely was not the case. It was this program and the people I have met through this program that fostered my love of neurologic physical therapy. I was aided in this educational passion by the Greater Carolinas Chapter of the National MS Society and their collaboration with UNC Chapel Hill Division of Physical Therapy to create the MS Standardized Training and Education Program with University Partners (MS STEP UP), of which I am a part. MS STEP UP gave me the educational resources and learning opportunities I needed to turn an interest in this neurologic condition into a passion. Thanks to my time in UNC’s DPT program and as an MS STEP UP scholar, I have identified that my professional goals include becoming a Neurologic Clinical Specialist (NCS), a resource for colleagues and patients, an advocate for individuals with neurologic conditions and an advocate for the Spanish-speaking community.

This program has provided me with personal and professional development opportunities that have brought that much close to realizing my goals. I am grateful for all the experiences that have brought me to where I am today, and I am excited for all that lay ahead after graduation.

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