DPT Portfolios

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Doctor of Physical Therapy

Doctoral Portfolio

Deanna Sipes

Professional Goal Statement:

My goals as a professional are to be a compassionate driven pediatric therapist dedicated to promoting physical fitness, inclusion, and overall health for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in underserved areas. I plan to further my education in pediatrics through a pediatric residency to become a mentor for therapist in other countries to enhance the rehabilitation process for pediatric patients in Spanish speaking countries. I also strive to be an advocate for diversity and inclusion within the field of physical therapy.

 

Career Plan:

 

• August 2012- December 2015:  Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Towson University, Towson, MD
• August 2016- August 2019: Student physical therapist in the UNC Chapel Hill Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
  • Clinical Rotation I (8 weeks): Carolina Complete Rehab, Southeastern Regional Medical Center ILumberton, NC
    1. Outpatient Orthopedics, underserved population
  • Clinical Rotation II (8 weeks): Gateway Education Center I Greensboro, NC
    1. Neuro, School Based Pediatrics
  • Clinical Rotation III (8 weeks): WakeMed Hospital, Raleigh, NC
    1. Acute Care, Surgical Trauma ICU
  • Clinical Rotation IV (12 weeks): Shriner’s Hospital for Children I Greenville, SC
    1. Inpatient and Outpatient Pediatrics
• Spring 2019: DPT student service learning trip in Guatemala
• July 2019: Sit for National Licensing Board Exam and become a licensed physical therapist
• August 2019: Earn Doctor of Physical Therapy from The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
• September 2019: Begin working as a physical therapist in a pediatric setting in North Carolina
• Within 5 years after graduation:
  •  Become FUNfitness director through the Special Olympics
  • Apply for pediatric physical therapy residency
  • Take courses to work with Spanish speaking patients to further develop my medical Spanish
  • Finish my pediatric residency and become pediatric certified specialist
  • Become a clinical instructor
  • Volunteer/work internationally related to physical therapy during time off
• Within 10 years after graduation:
  •  Live and work for 2 years through a sustainable program that mentors local therapist and healthcare providers in Central or Latin America.   

Self Assessment:

• Strengths
  • Passion, dedication, and drive
  • Empathy
  • Patient rapport
  • Cultural competency
  • Spanish speaking (intermediate advanced)
  • Experience with pediatric equipment
  • Experience in complex settings, Intensive Care Units, public special education school, intensive outpatient pediatric rehab
• Areas for Further Development
  • Interdisciplinary communication
  • Further experience with pediatric patients in multiple settings
  • Implementing evidence based practice regularly
  • Increased involvement with advocacy efforts through the APTA

• Areas of Interest:
  • Pediatrics, underserved and underrepresented populations, international work, cultural competency and diversity in health care, intellectual and developmental disabilities

Objectives:

• Graduate from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill DPT program in August 2019
• Pass the National Physical Therapy Examination in July 2019
• Complete Pediatric Residency and become Pediatric Certified Specialist in 2022
• Develop professional relationship with a sustainable and ethnical international physical therapy program by 2027

Strategies:

• Develop a study plan during my 3^rd year of DPT for boards
• Take courses and independent studying and application of medical Spanish vocabulary
• Develop a relationship with pediatric certified therapist
• Continue to be involved in advocacy and the APTA
• Develop relationships with international therapist
• Find sustainable and ethical international programs to volunteer with and build relationships.

Products:

• Capstone: “Recruitment Strategies for Underrepresented Minorities in Physical Therapy”
  • https://dptcapstone.web.unc.edu/category/current-students-spring-of-2019/entry-level-dpt-current-students-spring-of-2019/sipes-deanna/
• Pediatric Community Program Proposal
  • • Pediatric Community Program Proposal

 

Reflective Statement and Assessment of Progress Toward Goals: 

 

The UNC DPT program has prepared me well to pursue my career goals. The support of my professors and classmates, as well as the opportunities I have had throughout the programs including clinical sites, SHAC, Guatemala, CIMT camps, and more, have allowed me opportunities to grow, learn, and make connections. I have always wanted to be a pediatric physical therapist and now feel that I have a strong foundation to achieve this goal and be a successful pediatric therapist. Throughout my PT career, I have also developed a passion for diversity and inclusion within health care, especially PT, and based on personal dedication to this I have been able to be involved within the UNC DPT program and the NCPTA to work on diversifying the profession.

 

Extracurricular and Other Professional Activities:

• Advanced Spanish for Health Care PUBH 613
• International Service Learning Trip: Guatemala
• Special Olympics Volunteer cheerleading coach and FUNfitness volunteer
• NCPTA diversity and inclusion task force member

Comments RSS