Apr 06 2022

Ripberger, Chris

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Professional Goal Statement

Upon receiving my Doctor of Physical Therapy from UNC Chapel Hill and passing the NBPTE Board Examination, I will strive to advance the profession of physical therapy and become a leader in the community that I serve. I will provide evidence-based, personalized, patient-centered care in the outpatient sports and orthopedic setting. Through continuous growth and expansion of knowledge and clinical skill, I will become an expert in sports and orthopedic physical therapy and share my knowledge through mentorship and community outreach.

Objectives

  • Pass the NPTE Board Examination in July 2022
  • Graduate from UNC Chapel Hill with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy.
  • Become a full-time employee at an Outpatient Orthopedics/Sports Performance Clinic
  • Advance knowledge and expertise in Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy through relevant, evidence-based, continuing education and mentorship.
  • Serve my clinic and community through local athletic screening and risk reduction education events.
  • Maintain APTA membership and advocate for the profession of Physical Therapy.

Career Plan

  • May 2018: Bachelor of Arts in Exercise and Sports Science, Minor in Chemistry, Minor in Neuroscience; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    • 4-year Varsity Football Student-Athlete
  • August 2019-July 2022: Doctor of Physical Therapy; UNC Chapel Hill
    • Electives
      • Fall 2021: Advanced Orthopedic Assessment
      • Fall 2021: Teacher Scholar for Musculoskeletal II – PT intervention
      • Spring 2022: Orthopedic Integrated Clinical Experience at University Physical Therapy, Hillsborough, NC
      • Spring 2022: Topics in Sports Physical Therapy
    • Clinical Education
      • October-December 2020: Outpatient Orthopedic Clinical Affiliation – UNC Chatham Chapel Hill, NC
      • March-April 2021: Inpatient Rehabilitation Clinical Affiliation – Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center Winston Salem, NC
      • May-June 2021: Acute Care Clinical Affiliation – Novant Matthews Medical Center Matthews, NC
      • February-April 2022: Orthopedic Integrated Clinical Experience – University Physical Therapy Chapel Hill, NC
      • May-July 2022: Sports, Orthopedic Clinical Affiliation – BYoung Physical Therapy Sports Performance Center Raleigh, NC
    • Capstone Project
      • May 2022: Completion of Capstone Project: Applying Strength and Conditioning Principles to a Functional, High-Intensity, Resistance Training Program for Older Adults
  • July 2022: Pass the National Physical Therapy Examination
  • July 2022: Earn my DPT from UNC-Chapel Hill
  • August 2022: Begin career working with a sports orthopedic population
  • August 2022: Complete Titleist Performance Institute (Level I) Certification.
  • 2022-2023: Obtain clinical mentorship
  • 2025: Complete Titleist Performance Institute (Level II) Certification
  • 2027: Obtain Orthopedic Certified Specialist Certification
  • 2027: Become an APTA-certified clinical instructor
  • 2030: Obtain Sports Certified Specialist Certification

Self-Assessment

Strengths

  • Effectively develops patient rapport through strong communication skills and consideration of the numerous personal and environmental factors that can impact a patient’s current presentation and experience.
  • Seeks continuing education opportunities and evidence-based care through mentorship, journal clubs, continuous goal setting and self-reflection.
  • Implements and modifies high level, evidence-based therapeutic exercise, utilizing my doctorate level education in combination with my prior experience as a collegiate athlete.

Areas for Professional Development

  • Serve the profession through clinical instruction and mentorship.
  • Refine and grow clinical expertise through specialization in the sports and orthopedic settings.

Specific Strategies

  • Maintain relationships with mentors, faculty of UNC DPT, and clinical instructors.
  • Implement and lead a journal club at my place of employment.
  • Organize injury risk reduction screens for local school and recreational leagues.
  • Complete relevant, evidence-based continuing education during first year as a new grad clinician.
  • Maintain APTA membership and attend professional conferences.

 

Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Throughout the last three years, UNC has consistently reinforced the need for advocacy for our patients, through continuous education, self-reflection, and outreach regarding justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. The need for this continuous improvement and growth was further reinforced through the reading of Taking on Diversity: How We Can Move from Anxiety to Respect. Through this reading, and the UNC DPT curriculum, I have come to appreciate the importance of implicit bias screening, self-reflection, and improvement. Acknowledging and addressing the impact that our environment and upbringing has had on our perspectives is critical for holistic and fair patient care.

Furthermore, through additional class discussions and personal reading, which included Inflamed: Deep Medicine and the Anatomy of Injustice, I have come to realize and consider the multilevel and multisystem impact of injustice. Discrimination and injustice are rooted in our healthcare system, and in our federal, state, and local policies and legislation. Although it is necessary to consider the additional barriers that our marginalized patients experience, it is not enough to only address these issues in the clinic. I will continue to prioritize advocacy and participation in local, state, and federal organizations.

 

Product Examples

 

Reflective Statement

As I reflect on my experience over the past three years at UNC Chapel Hill, I am overcome with an immense sense of pride. I am proud of my classmates for their unconditional effort and support that made this experience so memorable. I am proud of UNC DPT’s leaders and faculty for guiding and supporting us through a global pandemic. I am proud to be in a profession that has so much to offer our communities and patients.

I feel confident that I will thrive as new graduate and independent clinician. The past few years have been filled with adversity. My classmates and I have overcome the numerous challenges that came with the unexpected demands of completing a doctorate level program in a time of social isolation and global uncertainty. The hardships we faced during these times has given me confidence in overcoming the challenges that I will face throughout my time in this profession.

Finally, my passion for this profession has grown tremendously over the past three years. My diverse clinical experiences and coursework have not only created well-rounded clinical skills and knowledge but have shown the endless opportunities that a career in physical therapy offers, as well. I am excited to continuously seek and provide high-level, evidence-based care as I grow both professionally and personally.

One response so far




One Response to “Ripberger, Chris”

  1.   Lisa Johnstonon 26 Jul 2022 at 1:08 pm

    Nice to see samples of your work and all that you have accomplished! Nice job! Lisa

    Reply

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