DPT Portfolios

Professional Goal Statement

In alignment with the APTA vision statement, my career as a physical therapist will contribute to “transforming society through optimizing movement.” I will serve my patients well by practicing patient-centered and evidence-based care that promotes health and wellness in addition to rehabilitation services. My strengths of personal connection, positivity, and work ethic will be used to motivate patients and to help them actively engage in their rehabilitation process. I will regularly self-assess to recognize and improve areas of weakness in my practice. Additionally, I will practice humility during my career and collaborate well with fellow physical therapists and other healthcare providers. I plan to begin my career in an outpatient facility in the Triangle where there are mentorship opportunities and a diverse patient population. Later in my career, I am interested in specializing in sports performance rehabilitation and playing a role in leadership development.

Career Plan

Past Experiences and Achievements

• B.S. in Exercise Science with a Psychology minor – Appalachian State University (2009-2013)
• NCAA Division I Baseball Player – Appalachian State University (2010-2013)
• Appalachian State University Baseball Team MVP (2013)
• Hitting and Catching Instructor/Performance Coach – Baseball Rebellion (2013-2019)
• Doctor of Physical Therapy Student – UNC-Chapel Hill (2017-2020)
• UNC Student Health Action Coalition (SHAC) – Member of leadership team/triage member (2018)
• UNC DPT Philanthropy Committee member (2017-2019)
• UNC Research Experience – ACL systematic review development (2019)

Clinical Experiences (8-week rotations)

• Clinical Rotation I: Access Physical Therapy, Clayton, NC – Outpatient Orthopedics (2018)
• Clinical Rotation II: UNC Hospital, Chapel Hill, NC – Inpatient Rehabilitation (2019)
• Clinical Rotation III: Moses Cone Hospital, Greensboro, NC – Acute Care (2019)
• Clinical Rotation IV: Sports and More Physical Therapy, Raleigh, NC – Outpatient Orthopedics (2020)

Future Plans

• Attain CSCS certification – Summer 2020
• Pass NPTE – July 2020
• Graduate from UNC-Chapel Hill DPT program – August 2020
• Gain employment at an outpatient orthopedic clinic with mentorship opportunities – Fall 2020
• Become a certified clinical instructor (2023)
• Pursue orthopedic or sports residency (2024)
• Board Certified Orthopedic or Sports Specialist (2025)

Self-Assessment

Strengths (Top 5 From Gallup Strengths Finder 2.0)

• Harmony – Easily sees areas of agreement and gets along with others well.
• Developer – Sees potential in others and is passionate about helping them reach their potential.
• Positivity – Generous with praise and finds the good in every situation.
• Achiever – Highly motivated and strives for a high level of productivity.
• Learner – Enjoys learning and is excited about doing the work necessary to become an expert.
• Strong foundation from DPT curriculum and high-quality clinical experiences
• Building rapport with patients
• Utilize behavior change principles to help patients improve compliance
• Creativity of exercise prescription to meet patient preferences and functional needs

Areas for Professional Development

• Engaging in conflict
• Clinical examination skills and efficiency
• Knowledge of billing and coding processes
• Use of patient-reported outcome measures
• Supervision of physical therapy assistants and aides
• Professional Advocacy
• Incorporation of updated evidence into clinical practice

Objectives and Specific Strategies

• DPT Capstone Project: Includes a manuscript for a systematic review about swelling measurement and recovery post ACL reconstruction, a patient education handout, and a clinician handout
• Critically Appraised Topic (CAT) regarding time-based vs criterion-based rehabilitation following ACL reconstruction
• Advanced Orthopedic Paper: An Overview of Ulnar Collateral Ligament Tears in Baseball Players
• Health Promotion Program Proposal for Patients with Fibromyalgia

Reflective Statement

During the interview process for the UNC DPT program, I asked many of the current students the following question: What is the best part about attending PT school at UNC? The answer was remarkably consistent as almost everyone stated that it was the quality of the faculty that makes UNC so special. After spending three years immersed in the program, I could not agree more as I have experienced immense growth in knowledge, clinical skills, and confidence through my interactions with the faculty. In addition to amazing classroom instruction, UNC provided me with invaluable clinical experiences in a broad variety of areas that allowed me to practice the principles I learned in the classroom. The thought of treating patients during the first semester of PT school was intimidating and overwhelming but I now eagerly await the opportunity to begin my last clinical rotation and to start my career as a clinician.

Although I enjoyed aspects of all of my clinical rotations and learning experiences, I am most drawn towards the outpatient orthopedic and sports rehabilitation settings. I plan to begin my career in these settings but will remain open-minded as clinical interests and professional goals often evolve throughout a long career. Regardless of the setting in which I practice, I am excited to provide the highest possible quality of care for my future patients which will reflect the quality of education I received at UNC. Lastly, I’d like to reflect on my classmates. I had the honor of learning alongside a brilliant group of students who are incredibly driven yet kind in spirit. I am beyond excited to see the physical therapy profession benefit from the influx of these new graduates.

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