May 21 2019

Petrenko, Larysa

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Professional Goal Statement

After graduating as a Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, I hope to establish myself as an effective and empathetic therapist working with the military population. My ultimate goal is to blend post-concussive rehabilitation with advanced rehabilitation, strength, and conditioning for Special Forces soldiers. Throughout my career, I hope to become proficient in addressing and applying functional movement patterns as well as treating vestibular diagnoses compounded by orthopedic-type comorbidities. To do so, I will obtain the necessary training and certifications in order to become a highly effective therapist for my patients.

 

Career Plan

  • Graduate with BS in Health Sciences and Minor in Psychology from Purdue University: May 2015
  • Work as Patient Services Specialist for OrthoCarolina in Charlotte: 2015-2016
  • Begin DPT program at UNC: August 2016
  • Acute Care Clinical Affiliation – Durham Veterans Association Medical Center in Durham, NC: June-August 2017
  • Outpatient Neuro Clinical Affiliation – Intrepid Spirit in Fort Bragg, NC: February-April 2018
  • Outpatient Orthopedic Clinical Affiliation: Womack Army Medical Center in Fort Bragg, NC: April-June 2018
  • Sit for and pass Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) examination: Spring 2019
  • Inpatient Rehabilitation Clinical Affiliation – Carolinas Rehabilitation in Charlotte, NC: May-August 2019
  • Sit for and pass the National Physical Therapy Examination: July 2019
  • Earn my Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from UNC-Chapel Hill: August 2019
  • Begin working in an Outpatient Orthopedic/Sports Clinic: August/September 2019
  • Obtain Vestibular Rehabilitation Certification: Spring 2020
  • Become Dry Needling-Certified: Spring/Summer 2020
  • Become FMS-Certified: Spring/Summer 2020
  • Start an Sports/Orthopedic Residency Program: Summer 2020
  • Obtain certification as a Board-Certified Specialist of the American Board of Physical Therapy (OCS): Summer 2021
  • Obtain additional certifications to further develop physical therapy skills (IFMCP, CMPT, COMT, etc.): post-2020

 

Self-Assessment

Strengths

  • Extensive personal and clinical experience in the military setting
  • Undergraduate education in health sciences and psychology
  • Proficiency in clinical concussion management and vestibular rehabilitation
  • Proficiency in advanced military and athletic training program development
  • Good communication and listening skills that help in providing the best quality of care and patient education

Areas for Professional Development

  • Manual Therapy Techniques
  • Incorporating and assessing evidence-based literature into my practice
  • Knowledge and courage to advocate for the profession at the state and national level
  • Further developing my treatment/evaluation skills to provide an appropriate plan of care for each patient

Objectives

  • Take and Pass the NPTE: July 2019
  • Graduate from the DPT program at UNC-Chapel Hill: August 2019
  • Obtain my first job as an outpatient therapist: Summer 2019
  • Advance my clinical and professional expertise through completing an Orthopedics/Sports Residency: 2020
  • Become a specialist in orthopedics and/or sports medicine: 2022
  • Be hired as a contracted or government-special physical therapist for the Army: ~2022

 

Specific Strategies

  • Create a study schedule to best prepare for the NPTE
  • Develop NPTE Study Group with Classmates
  • Maintain relationships with current CI’s for seeking guidance on professional development
  • Shadow in Special Forces Clinic throughout 3rdYear to maintain orthopedic competency
  • Participate in ICE program shadowing Ortho/Neuro Specialist to maintain clinical competency
  • Complete my final clinical in inpatient neuro and make/maintain good relationships
  • Complete and study pre-requisites to sit for and obtain CSCS
  • Continue pursuing knowledge of physical therapy field as a lifelong learner

 

Coursework/Capstone:

Fall 2018 Electives

  • PHYT 875 (3 credits): Advanced Orthopedic Assessment and Intervention
  • PHYT 870 (2 credits): Integrated Clinical Experience

Spring 2019 Electives

  • PHYT 754 (1 credit): Research Experience

Product Examples

 

Self-Reflection:

The past three years have been quite a roller-coaster, with some of the hardest climbs yet greatest peaks I have ever experienced in my life. It has been an honor being able to learn from and alongside some of the most brilliant and passionate students, clinicians, and professors. Furthermore, I feel so blessed to have been able to fully realize my passion for implementing physical therapy in the management of concussion within the military setting and then being able to apply this with my capstone project. Were it not for the many opportunities at UNC, I may not have been able to achieve so many of my professional and personal goals.

The education and clinical rotations that I have been afforded while being at UNC have inspired a greater passion for physical therapy and I feel well-prepared to enter our profession as a wholistic, evidence-based, and empathetic Doctor of Physical Therapy come August. I am forever grateful and indebted to the faculty, clinical instructors, my classmates, and my family who have allowed me to expand my knowledge and have supported me throughout this challenging process. I hope to one day be able to give back to the school and the development of our profession as an expert clinician, clinical instructor, researcher, and confident advocate.

 

 

3 responses so far




3 Responses to “Petrenko, Larysa”

  1.   Lisa Johnstonon 03 Jun 2019 at 11:40 am

    Larysa: Great job on your portfolio! I loved seeing all the great pictures! It is really nice to see how you have been able to accomplish your goals and how you feel ready for the next steps. Good luck to you and great job! Lisa

    Reply

  2.   Jennifer Cookeon 12 Jun 2019 at 7:01 pm

    Larysa,
    Thanks for sharing your portfolio. You have a nice plan worked out here and I wish you the best of luck starting your career!
    Jennifer

    Reply

  3.   Vicki Merceron 14 Jun 2019 at 1:41 am

    Larysa,
    Congratulations on all of your accomplishments throughout your time in the DPT program! Glad to see that you have found a niche area of practice that you are passionate about.

    Best of luck to you-
    Vicki

    Reply

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