Mar 28 2023
Dreessen, Justin
- Professional Goal Statement
- As a practicing physical therapist, I will make it my top priority to address patient concerns and promote a collaborative effort to restore patient function to the highest practical level. I will allow my patients to be heard and actively participate in their rehabilitation. I will ensure that I keep up to date with current research to administer evidence-based care that will provide the most beneficial effect to my patients. Ultimately, I aim to be a teacher that educates patients on how to care for themselves, prevent injury, and participate in the activities that they desire to take part in. I plan to utilize this approach to treatment in an outpatient orthopedic clinic that treats the general population along with athletes, particularly competing in high school.
- Career Plan:
- May 2019: Graduated from Montana State University with a BS in Health and Human Performance – Exercise Science and minor in psychology
- August 2020 – July 2023: University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill Doctor of Physical Therapy
- Electives:
- Advanced Orthopedic Assessment and Treatment
- Integrated Clinical Experience – Outpatient Ortho
- Topics in Sports Physical Therapy
- Tyrrell County Service Learning Trip
- Capstone:
- Therapeutic Exercise for Muscular Deficits of the Shoulder
- Clinical Experience
- BYoung Physical Therapy – Apex, NC
- Outpatient Orthopedic Student Physical Therapist – May 2023 to July 2023
- Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center – Columbus, OH
- Acute Care Student Physical Therapist – April 2022 to June 2022
- Atrium Health Cabarrus Outpatient Pediatrics – Concord, NC
- Outpatient Neuromuscular Pediatric Student Physical Therapist – March 2022 to April 2022
- Concentra Urgent Care – Charlotte, NC
- Outpatient Orthopedic Student Physical Therapist – June 2021 to August 2021
- BYoung Physical Therapy – Apex, NC
- Electives:
- July 2023: Complete and Pass the National Physical Therapy Examination to Become a Licensed Physical Therapist
- July 2023: Graduate from University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy
- September 2023: Begin Job as an Outpatient Orthopedic Physical Therapist in the Triangle Area
- Self-Assessment:
- Strengths
- Patient communication and rapport
- Treating patients with care and compassion
- Promoting a welcoming, patient-care environment
- Goal-centered exercise prescription
- Documentation quality
- Professionalism
- Areas for Professional Development
- Documentation efficiency
- Complex patient management
- Advocacy for the profession of physical therapy
- Involvement and analysis of current research
- Strengths
- Objectives:
- Take and pass the NPTE to become a licensed PT in July 2023
- Graduate from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill with my DPT in July 2023
- Accept a job as an outpatient orthopedic PT and begin working in September 2023
- Specific Strategies:
- Study for NPTE using specific exam preparation and course materials
- Search for jobs in the Triangle Area matching my interest in orthopedics and sports
- Seek out certifications that would improve my ability to care for my patients
- Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion:
- The news continues to highlight areas of division in this world that result in the lack of community, care for one another, and peace. If division is the problem, unity should be the goal. Through experiences in patient care, reading and listening to materials regarding disparity and unity, and spending time with people of different ethnicities and cultures, my eyes have been opened to the potential hardships and exclusion of every person that I interact with. I have learned that the best way to promote unity is not to assume that I have all the answers or even know the depth of the problem, but rather that I should sit with individuals and listen to their stories. Once stories are shared, conversation, questions, and understanding can take place. Once a person is heard and known, they might feel loved, included, and seen. Every tribe, tongue, and nation should be loved, and I will do my best to promote this mindset in everything I do, especially in my career as a physical therapist providing patient care.
- Product Examples:
- Reflective Statement:
- Three years have come and gone far too quickly. A couple decades of education have reached the culmination of an arduous yet fruitful journey toward becoming a physical therapist and being able to care for people. Reflecting on my time at the University of North Carolina, I am struck with bitter-sweet emotions. I will forever be grateful for the family that we have developed throughout physical therapy school. Though I will miss everyone as our paths diverge, I am excited to see the positive effect that we will have on the world. If there is one thing this family has taught me, it is the importance of caring for others and loving people well. As a result, I will treat my patients with the care and love the Tarheel family has shown me. I cannot wait to practice this profession and empower others to take control of their health. Once a Tarheel, always a Tarheel.
Justin- This might still be in process, but I wanted to acknowledge that it is nice to see products you have completed and learn a little ore about what you have learned. Good luck as you wrap things up! Lisa