DPT Portfolios

Professional Goal Statement

I aspire to be a pediatric physical therapist in North Carolina who selflessly serves my community and advocates for students with disabilities across a variety of settings. Additionally, I am committed to service both locally and abroad. I would like to work through local pro bono opportunities and international service trip experiences to advance healthcare for underinsured and underrepresented populations. I seek to maintain an eager disposition for continuing education, enthusiasm and zeal for Physical Therapy Practice, a commitment to strive towards best practice and high-quality care, and a pledge for professional excellence. I promise to always keep my patient’s best interest at the center of my care while consistently and intentionally implementing Evidence-Based practice. I aim to always passionately pursue growth, learning, knowledge, and experiences within the field of Physical Therapy in order to better my clinical practice and serve my patients with compassionate care. In the future, I hope to become a Pediatric Certified Specialist, develop into a leader in the Physical Therapy profession, and start a summer camp program for children with disabilities.

 

Career Plan

Past Experiences

May 2016: Graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Arts in Exercise and Sport Science and minors in Religious Studies and the Study of Christianity and Culture

            Activities

• Buckley Public Service Scholars Participant, August 2013 – May 2016
• College Intern for the Chapel Hill Bible Church, September 2013 – May 2016
• Director of Finance for World Micro-Market, January 2014 – May 2016
• Director of Marketing for World Micro-Market, August 2012 – April 2014
• Helping Kids with Hemiplegia Camp Counselor, June 2014
• President/Treasurer for Gamma Sigma Alpha Ntl Greek Academic Honor Society, August 2014 – May 2016
• National Society of Collegiate Scholars Member, August 2013 – May 2016
• Pi Beta Phi Fraternity, NC Alpha Chapter, August 2013 – May 2016
• Pre-Physical Therapy/Occupational Therapy Club, August 2013 – May 2016

 

July 2016 – November 2016: Worked as an Administrative Associate in an outpatient Neuro Physical Therapy clinic called Steps for Recovery in Cary, North Carolina

 

August 2017: Enrolled in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

            Activities

• Grant Participant for the AHSPiRE (Allied Health: Strategies to Promote, Inspire, Recruit, and Educate) Grant in Chapel Hill, NC, September 2018 – May 2019
• Treasurer for the Student Physical Therapy Association of UNCCH in Chapel Hill, NC, January 2018 – January 2019
• Triage Representative for the SHAC (Student Health Action Coalition) Medical Clinic in Chapel Hill, NC, January 2018 – January 2019
• Allied Health Sciences Ambassador, January 2018 – July 2020
• Teacher/Scholar Program Participant for Motor Development and Human Movement Across the Lifespan Course, January 2020 – April 2020
• American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and North Carolina Physical Therapy Association (NCPTA) Member, September 2017 – Present
• Mental Health in Motion event coordinator, November 2018
• Tar Heel Preview Day 2018 Allied Health event coordinator, November 2018 Aphasia Mentorship Project Night event coordinator, October 2018
• Rebecca Irene Sande Scholar
• Judy A. White Scholar

 

            Clinical Experience

• UNC Outpatient Therapy Services (Spine Center) – Outpatient Orthopedics Rotation in Chapel Hill, NC, June 2018 – August 2018, 8 weeks
• Cabarrus County Public Schools – Pediatric/Neuro/Underserved Rotation in Concord, NC, March 2019 – April 2019, 8 weeks
• Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center – Acute Care Rotation in Charlotte, NC, April 2019 – June 2019, 8 weeks
• Duke University Medical Center – Pediatric Acute Care Rotation in Durham, NC, June 2020 – July 2020, 8 weeks

 

            Electives

• PHYT 800 – Independent Study with Laurie Ray for AHSPiRE Grant, Spring 2019
• PHYT 880 – Child and Family Assessment and Intervention, Fall 2019
• PHYT 800 – Teacher/Scholar Program for Motor Development and Human Movement Across the Lifespan Course, Spring 2020
• PHYT 895 – International Service Learning Trip to Guatemala, Spring 2020

 

            Doctoral Capstone Project

• Advisor: Laurie Ray, MPT, PhD
• Committee Members: Sharon Antoszyk, PT, DPT, PCS and Jenny Mah, PT, DPT
• Title: “Prepared and Ready: Equipping Students for Meaningful Post-secondary Opportunities”
• Website: https://dptcapstone.web.unc.edu/category/capstone-projects-2020/miller-shelby/

 

March 2018: Attended NCPTA Student Conclave in Durham, NC

 

January 2019: Attended APTA Combined Sections Meeting National Conference in Washington, DC

 

March 2020: Attended International Service Learning Trip to Antigua, Guatemala

 

May 2020: Completed Capstone Project entitled “Prepared and Ready: Equipping Students for Meaningful Post-secondary Opportunities”

 

Future Plans

 

August 2020: Graduate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Doctorate of Physical Therapy (… and celebrate!!)

 

October 2020: Pass the National Physical Therapy Examination

 

November 2020: Begin working as a full time Pediatric School-Based Physical Therapist (or Pediatric Early Intervention Physical Therapist) in the Durham/Chapel Hill/Raleigh, NC area during the school year

 

November 2020: Begin involvement in professional organizations including the Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy (the Pediatric Section of the APTA)

 

November 2020: Join a Special Interest Group (School-Based PT Special Interest Group, Adolescents and Adults with Developmental Disabilities Special Interest Group, and Neonatology Special Interest Group)

 

January 2021: Begin involvement working in a local pro bono PT clinic

 

June 2021: Begin working as a Pediatric Early Intervention PRN Physical Therapist in the Durham/Chapel Hill/Raleigh, NC area during the summers

 

October 2021: Complete the LAMP Institute for Leadership in Physical Therapy program

 

March 2022: Sit for and pass the Pediatric Certified Specialist Examination to become a Pediatric Certified Specialist

 

June 2022: Begin traveling on international service trips

 

July 2025: Start a summer camp program for children with disabilities including adapted sports and activities

 

August 2027: Join the leadership board of a professional organization, such as the School-Based PT Special Interest Group

 

Self-Assessment

Strengths

• Communication
• Organization
• Creativity
• Flexibility
• Developing engaging and interactive interventions
• Problem-solving and strategic thinking
• Enthusiasm and optimism
• Teaching skills
• Developing rapport and building relationships with patients, families, and co-workers
• Drive for extra-curricular involvement
• Motivation and pursuit of growth and learning
• Efficiency of applying feedback into practice
• Advocating for new initiatives and pushing the boundaries to think outside of the box
• Commitment to service
• Passion for the community and advocating for children with disabilities

 

Areas for Continued Development

• Encouraging challenges in order to foster professional growth
• Confidence in decision making
• Conciseness and efficiency in note writing
• Public speaking skills
• Understanding of medical billing and insurance
• Proficiency in Spanish fluency
• Logistics
• Specialty certifications
• Involvement in professional organization
• Analyzing psychometric properties of research
• Manual manipulation and mobilization techniques
• Integrating classroom staff into plan of care strategies

 

Objectives

Areas of Personal Interest

• Pediatrics
• Neurology
• School-Based Physical Therapy
• Advocacy for students with disabilities
• NICU/PICU Physical Therapy
• Pro Bono Clinics
• International Service Trips
• Summer Camps

 

Vision Statement

I have a vision of becoming a committed, engaged, and excelling Pediatric Physical Therapist in North Carolina who is consistently professionally developing in order to provide the highest quality care possible to my patients and be a leader in the profession. I have a vision to maintain a commitment to service and be an advocate for students with disabilities.

 

Main Objectives for Graduate Study

1. Graduate with a Doctorate of Physical Therapy in August 2020
2. Pass the National Physical Therapy Examination in October 2020
3. Obtain a job as a Pediatric Physical Therapist in November 2020
4. Engage in service through local pro bono clinics and international service trips starting in January 2021
5. Complete the LAMP Institute for Leadership in Physical Therapy program in October 2021
6. Become a Pediatric Certified Specialist in March 2022
7. Start a summer camp program for children with disabilities in July 2025
8. Develop into a leader in the Physical Therapy profession

 

Specific Strategies

Action items and targeted learning activities

• Widely disseminate Capstone materials related to preparing students with disabilities for meaningful post-secondary opportunities
• Continue to meet regularly with Laurie Ray in order to enhance practice skills, gain wisdom, learn from mentorship, and seek advice.
• Maintain positive relationships with UNC faculty and prior clinical instructors in order to continue building my professional network
• Meet requirements for continuing competence and continuing education in North Carolina of 30 points among 11 categories of activities per 25 month reporting period
• Attend conferences, including the annual APTA Combined Sections Meeting
• Participate in continuing competence opportunities, such as classes and seminars
• Complete LAMP Institute for Leadership in Physical Therapy courses
• Deepen involvement in professional organizations including the Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy, School-Based PT Special Interest Group, Adolescents and Adults with Developmental Disabilities Special Interest Group, and Neonatology Special Interest Group
• Attain a Pediatric mentor to assist in study and preparation for the Pediatric Certified Specialist Examination
• Gain diverse experience and specialty expertise that drives my ability to develop into a leader in the Physical Therapy profession
• Seek out opportunities for volunteer work in order to maintain a commitment to service both locally and abroad
• Advocate for students with disabilities through social and political action
• Attend regular literature club meetings in order to stay up to date with Evidence-Based practice

 

Samples of Work from Doctorate Program

 

Doctoral Capstone Project: “Prepared and Ready: Equipping Students for Meaningful Post-secondary Opportunities”

• P&R Compendium
• P&R Clinician Resource Guide
• P&R Clinician Feedback Survey
• P&R Evidence Tables
• P&R Literature Review

 

Patient & Family Handout: Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy and PT

 

InService: Precautions in PT Treatment of Neurological Disorders Handout (and Presentation *coming soon*)

 

InService: Functional Outcome Measures for Low Functioning Patients in the Acute Care Setting Handout *coming soon* (and Presentation *coming soon*)

 

Case Study: Scoliosis and the Schroth Method Handout (and Presentation *coming soon*)

 

Case Study: Thymic Cancer Differential Diagnosis Handout (and Presentation *coming soon*)

 

Critically Appraised Topic on Cerebral Palsy and Interventions to Improve Gait Distance

 

Aquatic Therapy Program for Children with Cerebral Palsy Program Proposal  (and Early Program Development)

 

Business Plan for PEDS PT Clinic

 

Reflective Statement

Completing the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program has been one of the most formative experiences of my life. With great challenge has come immeasurable and rewarding growth. Not only have I grown and developed as a physical therapist, I have also been challenged in various other important and valuable ways. Through pursuing this degree, I have learned the power of endurance, commitment, dedication, drive, passion, flexibility, adaptability, and professionalism. I have developed academic knowledge, clinical skills, clinical reasoning, foundations for evidence-based practice, fundamentals of patient-centered care, and more. I have been inspired by countless patients in a way that is beyond motivating. Plus, I have been instilled with an ever-renewed commitment to service. During my time in the program, I gained friendships, mentors, teachers, peers, and colleagues that will extend far beyond these three years of study.

 

Perhaps most valuably, I have garnered an appreciation and passion for life-long learning. Through my course of study, I have been taught that the pursuit of clinical expertise is a process with no finish line. Rather, we can look forward to continued challenges and development that refine us as professionals over time. In the process, we can feel prepared for anything and confident that we have been taught how to find the answers and critically think to make decisions, rather than just being taught the answers and decisions themselves. Excellence is not embodied by reaching any particular point, but instead by embracing professional growth and learning as a life-long commitment. I look forward to striving to uphold this cornerstone characteristic of excellence throughout my entire career. With the tools gained and solid foundation built in this program, I know that it will be possible to become a valuable leader in the profession of physical therapy. Above all else, I pledge to remain committed and dedicated to my patients at the center of my care.

 

In this program, my passions have been furthered ignited. Namely, my passions for pediatric care and service work have been cultivated and fostered in wonderful ways. Working with esteemed mentors and partnering in their projects has been inspiring and encouraging. Furthermore, working with patients and being personally involved in their progress over time has been exciting and motivating. The amazing kiddos of pediatric physical therapy are truly awesome on another level. Two experiences that have been personal highlights in this program have been working in my pediatric clinical rotation in the school system and traveling on the international service learning trip to Guatemala. In my school system rotation, I felt a uniquely perfect fit for myself and found a home for my passions and talents. On the trip to Guatemala, I experienced one of the most incredible trips of my life, full of adventure, joy, service, community, and indescribable lessons. In both of those valuable experiences, I was reminded how and why I love pediatric care and service work. What a privilege it is to be able to embrace both of those elements in such a magnificent way through physical therapy.

 

It has been a true joy and pleasure to complete this Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program! I have learned from the best and been inspired by the greatest. I am so thankful to everyone who has been a part of my experience becoming a physical therapist, within and beyond this program. The support, love, and teaching granted to me over my time at Carolina is so appreciated. I am grateful to be a part of such a beautiful and unmatched family of people. I am honored to commit myself to a profession as rewarding, enriching, and fulfilling as physical therapy. Now that I have reached my goal of attaining a Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree, I look forward to working as a pediatric physical therapist, engaging in service opportunities in my local community, and embarking on international service trips. Looking back, I am astounded by how much I have grown and thankful for the bonds shared with those who grew along with me during this time. Looking forward, I am thrilled for the growth ahead as I wholeheartedly commit myself to my patients. I am excited to see what this unpredictable life has in store as I enthusiastically embark on my journey as a physical therapist!

 

Thank you! ~Shelby Miller

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