Emily Goodnight

Professional Goal Statement

My goal as a physical therapist is to provide effective, evidence-based, whole person care for every patient. Upon graduation, I am aiming to work in general outpatient orthopedics with hopes to gain experience with a variety of orthopedic conditions and diverse patient populations.  Within the first 5 years after graduation, I plan to complete an orthopedic PT residency to hone my orthopedic skills and gain structured mentorship to improve my practice. Additional continuing education that I am interested in includes Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy, running assessment, dry needling, postpartum care, and pain science. My longer-term goals include accepting students as a clinical instructor, take teaching opportunities for DPT students, and pursue leadership positions within the facility I work for. Throughout my career I hope to be a leader in the community by promoting, creating, and participating in community wellness programs.

Career Plan

Education:

Sustaining Human Cultures and Natural Environment study abroad to New Zealand (June 2016)

Global Health and Physiology study abroad/medical service trip to Belize (June 2017)

Bachelor of Arts in Biological Science, Minors in Psychology and Sports Science from North Carolina State University (May 2019)

Enrollment in UNC-CH DPT program (August 2019, graduation anticipated July 2022)

Clinical Experience:

Clinical I: Craven Physical Therapy and Spine, New Bern, NC (8 weeks in 2020)

Clinical II: Total Rehabilitation, Chapel Hill, NC (8 weeks in 2021)

Clinical III: Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center – Main, Charlotte, NC (8 weeks in 2021)

Clinical IV: UNC Therapy Services for Pelvic Health and Lymphedema, Durham, NC (12 weeks in 2022)

SHAC Pro-Bono Clinic, Carrboro, NC (intermittent service 2019-2022)

Physical Therapy Electives:

Advanced Orthopedic Assessment and Treatment (Fall 2021)

Integrated Clinical Experience at UNC Therapy Services with Dr. Bria Dunn, DPT, PT (Fall 2021)

Teacher Scholar for Musculoskeletal 1 (Spring 2022)

Topics in Sports Physical Therapy (Spring 2022)

Student Involvement at UNC:

UNC Allied Health Ambassador

• Co-president (Spring 2019-Spring 2020)
• Student panelist for undergraduate students (Spring 2019-Spring 2021)
• Showcase for a Cause Fundraising Committee co-chair  (Spring 2019-Spring 2022)

Student Physical Therapy Association

• Professionalism Ceremony Co-chair (Spring-Fall 2020)

Student Interviewer for UNC-CH DPT (Spring 2019-Fall 2022)

Other Professional Experience:

NASM Certified Personal Trainer at Chapel Hill Training (Fall 2021-present)

Certified Nursing Assistant/Personal Health Aid (Fall 2015-present)

Self-Assessment

Strengths

• Communication
• Time management
• Organized
• Commitment to learning
• Leadership

Areas for professional development

• Hone clinical reasoning skills
• Knowledge of health and wellness community resources
• Involvement in physical therapy advocacy

Objectives and Specific Strategies

Pass NPTE in July and become a licensed physical therapist- continue to diligently follow study plan throughout summer of 2022

Obtain job in outpatient orthopedics- reach out to potential employers, apply for permanent positions, apply for travel therapy positions summer/fall of 2022

Acceptance and completion of orthopedic residency

Continuous learning and growth throughout career

Justice, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Over the last three years, much more has gone on in the world than just our UNC PT bubble. Atrocious events have occurred over and over including the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and others. These events have drawn attention and awareness to the systemic racism and inequalities of our nation. It’s important that every human take action to educate themselves on justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI). In aim to better educate myself, I resorted to reading in the last year. Two books that stand out are “Taking on Diversity: How we can Move From Anxiety to Respect” by Dr. Rupert W. Nacoste and “Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man” by Emmanuel Acho. Dr. Nacoste taught my Social Psychology course at NC State. He conducts a lot of research on living in a “neo-diverse community.” This book touches on all kinds of diversity including gender, race, ethnicity, religion, and sexual orientation.  Throughout the book he shares stories of real experiences related to diversity. He also gives the reader tools to use when put in a situation where someone uses “anti-group” language about you or another person. He calls us to stop the interaction immediately by saying something along the lines of “I would prefer not to hear that kind of racial/gender/ethnic slur. I find it offensive. It hurts me.” He emphasizes that we say “it hurts me” because it raises the perpetrators empathy. He cites the research of Czopp, Monteith, and Mark that those words elicit “guilt and self-criticism.” I have found this tool helpful in social interactions already.

“Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man” is also quite educational specifically on topics related to Black stereotypes, inappropriate language, what it means to be an ally, and more. Acho educates the reader on history related to the topic, gives us the facts of how that history translates into our society today, and gives readers an action item related to each topic. The book is also filled with resources outside of the book that the reader can look up  to further educate themselves with. I felt this book improved my cultural sensitivity, equipped me with a better understanding of where our society started and why it is the way it is today, and what to do about it. These are important topics that I plan to continue expanding my knowledge on throughout my career so I can be better for my peers and patients.

Nacoste RW. Taking on Diversity: How We Can Move from Anxiety to Respect. Prometheus Books; 2015.

Acho E. Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man.; 2020.

Product Examples

Community Health Program for Older Adults with Osteoporosis

Return to Activity Postpartum: Factors for the Physical Health Professional to Consider: https://unc.voicethread.com/share/19941065/

Reflective Statement

Over the last three years in the UNC Doctor of Physical Therapy program, I have experienced self-growth, knowledge gains, and further strengthened my passion for physical therapy. Some of my self-growth is related to the world events that went on outside of the program while a student of this rigorous program. One of the self-growth skills I feel became most prominent is prioritizing my health and well-being in order to be a better student, clinician, classmate, friend, etc… This is a crucial skill for anyone and as I carry it through my career will help me prevent burn out and improve my career satisfaction and success with patient care.

Through knowledge gains, my eyes have been opened to the depth of the physical therapy field. Throughout school, I found myself curious about nearly every area within  physical therapy. This led me to pursue diverse clinical experiences in early intervention, spine care, general orthopedics, cardiac ICU, and pelvic health settings. At the end of PT school, I find myself most interested in working in general outpatient orthopedics. This exposure of a variety of settings has given me the knowledge and experience to make me a well-rounded clinician for my orthopedic patients.

As PT school progressed, I became more and more passionate about physical therapy. The impact our treatments have on patients is priceless and I am thrilled to be a part of this profession. I am looking forward to begin treating patients full time after graduation.

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