Apr 06 2022

Gasper, Cheyenne

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Professional Goal Statement

Personally and professionally, it is my ultimate goal to serve others. Within the UNC Doctor of Physical Therapy program, I have completed three out of four clinical rotations in rural and underserved North Carolina communities. I have worked collaboratively with and for patients across the lifespan to help them achieve their individual, functional goals. My professional goals are to continue learning and working in areas with underserved patient populations across the lifespan to contribute to equitable delivery of physical therapy services and improve the quality of life of all North Carolinians. It is a priority for me to seek employment in an area and facility where I can continue to examine and treat diverse and underserved patients during my career.

Overview

  • Education
    • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Class of 2022
    • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Bachelor of Arts in Exercise and Sport Science, Minor in History, Class of 2018
  • Doctoral Elective Studies
    • Child and Family Assessment and Intervention, Spring 2022
    • NC Service Learning Trip, Spring 2022
    • Neurologic Integrated Clinical Experience, Fall 2021
    • Advanced Orthopedic Assessment and Intervention, Fall 2021
  • Doctoral Capstone Project
  • Clinical Rotations
    • May 2022- July 2022: Lenox Baker Children’s Hospital, Durham, NC, outpatient pediatric
    • April 2021- June 2021: Kinetic Institute Physical Therapy, Sanford, NC, outpatient orthopedic
      • Inservice Presentation: Dry Needling: Theories, Evidence, and Implications for Clinicians
    • March 2021- April 2021: UNC Wayne (Wayne Memorial Hospital), Goldsboro, NC, outpatient orthopedic and neurologic
    • October 2020- December 2020: FirstHealth of the Carolina’s Pinehurst (Moore Regional Hospital), Pinehurst, NC, inpatient acute
  • Service, Leadership, and Community Engagement
    • Student APTA Member, North Carolina Chapter (2019-present)
    • Balance class at Seymour Senior Center in Chapel Hill (2018, 2022)
    • Co-chair of Student Physical Therapy Association Fundraising committee (2020-2021)
    • Member of Student Network for 2021 APTA House of Delegates (2021)
    • Student Health Action Coalition (SHAC) Leadership / Physical Therapy Triage Team Member (2020-2021)
    • SHAC pro-bono physical therapy clinic volunteer (2019-2021)
    • Special needs swimming instructor for Adapted Aquatics in Chapel Hill (2017-2020)

Additional Sample Work

Career Objectives, Plans, and Future Directions

  • July 2022: Sit for and pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) and graduate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as a Doctor of Physical Therapy
  • August 2022: Obtain physical therapy licensure in North Carolina
  • Fall 2022: Obtain full time employment within North Carolina in communities with underserved populations across the lifespan
  • 2023-2024: Improve knowledge and skills related to diverse patient care by completing continuing competence activities
  • 2025: Repay all student loans and obtain complete NC FELS forgiveness
  • Ongoing: Continue to work towards my professional goals of service, professional development through seeking mentorship, continuing education opportunities, and pro bono opportunities; contribute to the physical therapy profession by becoming a clinical instructor and mentor for future students and clinicians

Specific Strategies

  • Review comprehensive coursework and begin study plan for NPTE, including completion of practice exams, in Spring 2022 to sit for and pass July 2022 exam
  • Pass comprehensive exam and perform at entry level on final clinical rotation per Web CPI Spring-Summer 2022 to graduate July 2022
  • Obtain North Carolina licensure as soon as able following graduation
  • Network during present and future clinical rotations (2020-2022) and begin searching for employment in Summer 2022 to obtain employment by Fall 2022 in desired setting and location
  • Begin aggressively repaying loans immediately upon securing full-time employment, apply two years of full-time employment in North Carolina towards loan forgiveness as provided by the FELS
  • Complete continuing competency activities related to lymphedema and oncology, vestibular rehabilitation, pelvic health, dry needling, and prosthetics and orthotics to improve my ability to evaluate and treat diverse patients as a generalist physical therapist
  • Seek opportunities for pro-bono physical therapy or health and wellness opportunities within community and state, attend and network at major conferences such as CSM, become an APTA Credentialed Clinical Instructor (CCI) and instruct first student within five years of graduation

Self-Assessment

  • Strengths
    • Commitment to lifelong learning
    • Professionalism towards peers and patients
    • Attitude towards patients and desire to help patients reach their self-directed goals
  • Areas for Professional Development
    • Improve consistency of consulting literature to improve evidence-based practice
    • Seek more specific experience working with pediatric and geriatric patients in specialized settings such as the school system, senior centers, or senior living facilities
    • Improve consistency and quality of self-reflection of clinical performance and skill progression

Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Initiatives

Over the past two years, I have participated in several JEDI learning opportunities to demonstrate my personal and professional commitment to this initiative. My reflections about each of these opportunities- which include watching a movie, reading a book, listening to a lecture, and completing several online trainings- are linked below. By participating in these opportunities, I was able to critically reflect on how my actions, and the actions of institutions that I am a part of, have been and can be used to promote justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. I learned practical ways to combat my own implicit biases that I will carry forward into my interactions with diverse patients on a daily basis. I also learned strategies for intervening in situations of harassment that I can use in my future clinical practice to ensure a safe environment for all of my coworkers and patients. Finally, by participating in these opportunities, I learned how I can achieve health related justice for my patients through my service as a physical therapist. This revelation affirmed my own personal and professional goals, and inspired me to continue participating in more JEDI initiatives throughout my career.

Reflection

During my time in UNC’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program, I have discovered that my clinical interests are varied. I enjoy working with diverse patients across the lifespan and ability spectrum. I have completed elective coursework and clinical rotations that have improved my academic and clinical skills among these populations. Through my clinical and personal development, I have also developed professional skills that will allow me to serve my future self, patients, and colleagues well. Over the past 3 years, I have developed into a competent generalist, entry-level physical therapist. I feel prepared to support rural and underserved populations, in accordance with my overall personal and professional goals, as a full-time clinical physical therapist in the upcoming years. I see myself continuing to grow my generalist skills through continuing education activities and developing into a young professional through mentorship, teaching, and learning activities. I see myself becoming a leader in my clinic and community through my service to patients. I am very grateful to UNC’s faculty, my clinical instructors, and my classmates for encouraging my growth throughout this program and beyond!

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One Response to “Gasper, Cheyenne”

  1.   Lisa Johnstonon 05 Jun 2022 at 10:30 pm

    Cheyenne- great job on your portfolio! So nice to see all your hard work. What great progress you have made and it is exciting to see what you have in mind for the future. Great work! Lisa

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