DPT Portfolios

Professional Goal Statement

Upon graduating from the UNC-Chapel Hill doctorate of physical therapy program, I aim to begin my professional career working as an outpatient physical therapy within the research triangle area, working with the sports population. I want to continue to expand my skills as a practitioner through continuing education courses focused on high-level athletes and sit for the SCS exam. Additionally, my experience as a former collegiate and professional soccer player has motivated me to focus on lower extremity injuries and specific injury prevention strategies for high-level athletes. Upon graduation, I am excited to further pursue and put into practice my knowledge of helping athletes prevent and recover from injuries.

Career Plan

• Past experience:
  • BA in Psychology from Duke University; Summa Cum Laude, Phi-Beta Kappa Honors Society  (2010-2014)
  • 4-year varsity soccer player for Duke University (2010-2014)
  • Drafted and played 3 years of professional soccer in the National Women’s Soccer League (Boston Breakers) and UEFA Champions League (Apollon FC) (2014-2016)
  • Office manager and wellness coordinator an outpatient sports physical therapy clinic (winters 2014-2016)
• Clinical Experience:
  • UNC-Chapel Hill DPT Program (2016-2019)
    • Clinical I: UNC Chatham Rehabilitation Services at Pittsboro (outpatient orthopedics) –2017
    • Clinical II: Wake County Public School System (pediatrics, neuro) –2018
    • Clinical III: Duke Regional Hospital (acute care) –2018
    • Clinical IV: Raleigh Orthopedics Athletic Performance Center (outpatient ortho, sports rehabilitation) –2019
• Future goals:
  • July 2019- Sit for the North Carolina Licensing Board Exam
  • August 2019- Graduate from UNC-CH with a Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree
  • October 2019 –Attain a job in the Research Triangle area at an outpatient facility that specializes in orthopedic/sports rehabilitation
  • 2020 –Become a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
  • 2022 –Become an Sports Certified Specialist (SCS)
  • 2022 –Obtain a job working with high-level athletes

Self Assessment

• Strengths
  • Professionalism and communication skills
  • Leadership experience as Student Advisory Committee class representative
  • Excellent time management and organizational skills
  • Personal experience as a high-level athlete, both collegiate and professional
  • Founder and owner of a one-on-one private soccer coaching business, where I work with and serve as a coach and mentor for 300+ athletes of all ages in North Carolina and Massachusetts

• Areas for Professional Development
  • Involvement in advocacy for the physical therapy profession
  • The administrative side of physical therapy and understanding insurance authorizations and billing
  • Developing a professional network in the research triangle area and beyond

Special Areas of Interest:

• Outpatient orthopedics
• Sports rehabilitation
• Lower extremity injuries and injury prevention for athletes
• Soccer

Objectives:

• Pass the NPTE in July 2019
• Attain a job in the Research Triangle area at an outpatient facility that specializes in orthopedic/sports rehabilitation with a strong mentorship program to further my learning as a new graduate – 2019
• Become a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist – 2020
• Implement routine free injury prevention clinicals for youth soccer players, coaches and families – 2020
• Become an Orthopedic Specialist – 2022
• Become a clinical instructor – 2022

Specific Strategies

• Develop a calendar and specific study plan for NCPTE exam
• Identify mentors who specialize in sports physical therapy who could provide me with opportunities to further develop in this area
• Attend lectures and conferences focused on sports specific physical therapy
• Attend continuing education courses focused specifically on the athletic population
• Maintain my membership in the orthopedic section of the APTA

Samples of My Work:

• Capstone Project: The Prevention of Soccer-Related Injuries: an exploration of the 11+ injury prevention program and its implementation 
  • Includes an evidence table and two powerpoint presentations
• The prevention of Anterior Cruciate Ligament injuries in soccer players:  an exploration of the common mechanisms of ACL injury and prevention protocols
  • A literary review completed as part of the Advanced Orthopedic Elective

 Reflection Statement: 

I am extremely thankful for my past 3 years at UNC. I have had opportunities to expand my interests and pursue my passions. I was fortunate to gain experience in a variety of settings, from trauma ICU to pediatric school system to outpatient sports. I was challenged and put in scenarios to grow and succeed as a practitioner.

I place a high value on education and learning for personal development. I also hope to continue to expand my knowledge and skill set through my membership in the APTA and continuing education courses. Becoming a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and a Sports Certified Specialist are two more formal ways I plan to continue my growth and development. I hope to find an employer that shares this same value of education and who encourages evidence-based practice.

I have always been interested in soccer and sports from a playing perspective. Through my experiences at UNC, I became passionate about working with and the sports and athletic population. I have become especially interested in injury prevention and methods of implementing injury prevention programs on a small and large scale. I hope to be able to advocate for improved injury prevention implementation in youth sports and help people in the community stay healthy and on the field doing what they love.

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