May 21 2019

Sand, Lukas

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Professional Goal Statement

As a physical therapist, my vision is to be well-informed and confident in a variety of aspects of physical therapy care with emphases on neurologic and musculoskeletal conditions. I plan to use this background to provide my patients with the highest quality of care possible. Based on the knowledge I have accumulated in the classroom and skills I have on a variety of clinical rotations, I have a strong skill-set to offer as a clinician. However, physical therapy is a career of continual growth, and I plan to continue to expand my knowledge-base throughout my career. My ultimate goal is to practice in the inpatient rehabilitation setting with patients with a variety of neurologic and musculoskeletal conditions. After a few years of work in that setting, I plan to sit for an NCS or OCS examination. As I pursue each of these goals, I plan to use the information I have learned in all of these experiences to provide patients with the proper skills and tools they need to achieve their own goals.

Career Plan

Career Advancement Thus Far

  • March 2015
    • Passed the Board of Certification Exam to receive my Athletic Training Certification (ATC)
  • May 2015
    • Graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a Bachelor’s of Science in Athletic Training and a Minor in Spanish
  • October 2016
    • Began working as a PRN Athletic Trainer with the University of Nebraska Medical Center
  • May 2016
    • Graduated from the University of Nebraska Medical Center with a Master of Science degree in Medical Anatomy
  • June 2017
    • Clinical Affiliation at UNC Health Care in Chapel Hill, NC, in Acute Care with emphasis on musculoskeletal and traumatic injuries
  • March 2018
    • Clinical Affiliation at Craven Physical Therapy and Spine in New Bern, NC in an outpatient clinic with emphasis on spinal and vertebral injuries
  • May 2018
    • Clinical Affiliation at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, NC, on the complex team in the inpatient rehabilitation hospital
  • May 2019
    • Clinical Affiliation at Roper-St. Francis Hospital in Charleston, SC in on the SCI specialty team the inpatient rehabilitation hospital

Future Plans

  • August 2019
    • Graduate from the University of North Carolina with a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree
  • October 2019
    • Sit for the National Physical Therapy Examination
  • 2019-2021
    • Be employed as a Physical Therapist
    • Begin working in an outpatient orthopedic clinic or inpatient rehabilitation hospital
  • 2021
    • Become an APTA credentialed CI to allow for the option to take a student while embodying APTA values.
  • 2022-2028
    • Obtain my Neurologic Specialist Certification or Orthopedic Specialist Certification
  • 2026-2030
    • Begin looking for part-time job opportunities as a faculty member of a DPT program to become an adjunct professor in an Anatomy, Neuroanatomy, Musculoskeletal, or Neuromuscular course

Self-Assessment

  • Strengths
    • Strong academic background in human sciences with a BS in athletic training and an MS in medical anatomy
    • Able to communicate with and build strong rapport with my patients and fellow coworkers
    • Creative with my treatment plans with the ability to personalize them to each of my patients
    • Positive personality with an ability to spread optimism
    • Effective implementation of outcome measures and evidence-based practice
  • Areas for Professional Development
    • Being involved in local, regional, and national organizations to expand my professional network
    • Broaden my understanding of each healthcare profession to ensure effective, team-oriented communication
    • Improve my ability to educate and present to coworkers in both the professional setting

Objectives

  • Pass the National Physical Therapy Exam in 2019
  • Graduate with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from UNC-Chapel Hill in August of 2019
  • Begin working in the State of North Carolina as a credentialed and licensed physical therapist/athletic trainer within 3 months of passing boards
  • Become a well-respected physical therapist in the inpatient rehabilitation setting within 3-4 years of becoming a practicing PT

Specific Strategies

  • Follow a study plan to ensure success on the NPTE in October
  • Establish myself as a clinician within a hospital system in North Carolina
  • Enroll in continuing education courses that interest me as well as areas I feel like I need to review to maintain my ability to treat patients with a variety of conditions
  • Become a member of the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy and stay up to date with the latest evidence and treatment techniques

Electives

  • PUBH 613, Fall of 2018 – Intermediate Medical Spanish, 3 credits
  • PHYT 800, Fall of 2018 – Teaching Assistant for Gross Anatomy Physical Therapy course
  • PHYT 896, Spring of 2018 – North Carolina Interdisciplinary Service Learning Trip
  • PHYT 870, Spring of 2018 – Integrated Clinical Experience

Product Samples

Capstone:

The Potential Benefits of Functional Electrical Stimulation for Motor Return with Patients with Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury

Critically Appraised Topic:

A Critical Review of the Evidence Assessing the Effects of FES on FIM/FAM Scores

Other Works Emphasizing Community Involvement and Holistic Care:

Interdisciplinary Trip Reflection

A Community Intervention Program for Adults with Depression

Reflective Statement

I am very thankful to have been a part of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Throughout my experience, I have been exposed to a vast array of academic and clinical material that has prepared me to become a well-versed clinician. From an academic standpoint, the curriculum at UNC has given me confidence in my ability to clinically reason, incorporate evidence into my practice, and educate patients in a manner that promotes a successful recovery for patients with a variety of conditions. It has provided me with a broad and diverse toolkit of treatment ideas, evaluation skills, and outcome measures to ensure the best quality of care for patients. For that, I am incredibly grateful.

Throughout the curriculum, the esteemed and personable faculty at UNC have encouraged me to pursue my clinical goals. As my knowledge has grown, they have offered me clinical placements that could facilitate reaching those goals. These placements have included an orthopedic rotation a clinic with a focus on spine, two rotations in inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, and an acute rotation on a trauma unit. The variety of these experiences has allowed me to hone my skillset and expand my toolkit to set myself up as a holistic, patient-centered, and evidence-based practitioner with an emphasis on neurologic conditions. However, this is only the beginning. Although UNC’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program has provided me with a solid foundation, the profession of physical therapy is one that is continuously growing. Therefore, I’m excited to continue to build upon this foundation and give back to the profession to help it continue to flourish.

Thank you to all of the professors, clinicians, and fellow students I have met at UNC and on my clinical rotations. You all have been great mentors, colleagues, and friends who have helped me become the clinician, and person, I am today.

3 responses so far




3 Responses to “Sand, Lukas”

  1.   Lisa Johnstonon 03 Jun 2019 at 11:44 am

    Lukas: Great job on your portfolio! Nice to see all your progress. I am glad to hear that your clinical education experiences met your personal needs. We will look forward to you helping out future students as a CI also. Good luck to you!! Lisa

    Reply

  2.   Vicki Merceron 14 Jun 2019 at 2:02 am

    Lukas,
    I’m glad to see how you have grown throughout your time in the DPT program! All of your hard work has paid off! I wish you the best in all of your future endeavors. Keep in touch, and let us know how you are doing-

    Vicki

    Reply

  3.   McMikeon 20 Jun 2019 at 11:28 am

    Lukas,
    Well done on your portfolio. I enjoyed the many times we talked over the past few years and watching you grow as a person and professional.
    All the best to you!
    McMike

    Reply

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