DPT Portfolios

Professional Goal Statement:

My professional goals include becoming a physical therapist that is able to treat any adult in the outpatient setting, with a focus on common challenges experienced amongst the geriatric population. I want to provide compassionate, evidence-based care that promotes mobility, independence, self-esteem and confidence. Creating personalized treatment plans that address age-related concerns, prevent falls, and support optimal functioning is what I strive to accomplish. I plan to always be learning, seeking collaboration from other clinicians, and involve my patients in their plan of care, so they are empowered and guided at the same time. In general, I aim to make a positive lasting impact on patients’ and their caregivers’ lives.

 

Career Plan:

• Past Experiences/ Academic Career:
  • May 2002: Psychology, B. A. (Minor: Exercise and Sports Science), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  • December 2002-2004: US Peace Corps- Nicaragua; Public Health Volunteer
  • 2005-2006: LATCH community health worker
  • 2006-2007: Houseparent at Milton Hershey School
  • 2007-2009: Project Manager for public health program for migrant Farmworkers of NC
  • 2005-present: Fitness Instructor (various locations)
  • 2021-2022: Rehab Aide with Age Well Physical Therapy

 

• Clinical Experiences:
  • June 2023-August 2023 (8 weeks): Acute Care (Adult Oncology)- UNC Main Hospital, Chapel Hill, NC
  • February 2024- April 2024 (8 weeks): Outpatient (focus on vestibular and neurological impairments)- UNC Chatham Rehabilitation Services at Pittsboro, Pittsboro, NC
  • April 2024- June 2024 (8 weeks): Outpatient general- NC Center for Physical Therapy, Durham, NC
  • May 2025- July 2025 (12 weeks): Outpatient general/ Aquatic Therapy- UNC Therapy Services at Meadowmont, Chapel Hill, NC

 

• Future Goals:
  • August 2025: Graduate as a Doctor of Physical Therapy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  • August 2025: Begin working as a rehab aide in a PT clinic until I can take the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE)
  • August 2025: Complete the Otago certification
  • October 2025: Pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) and begins working as a licensed physical therapist in a geriatric care setting (preferably with pool access for therapy)
  • Tentative: Considering application to geriatric residency program and eventually attaining a certification as a Geriatric Clinical Specialist

 

Self Assessment:

• Strengths:
  • Building rapport with patients and caregivers
  • Creativity and personalization in developing interventions
  • Adaptability to handle sudden changes in health status, with patience and understanding
  • Strong communication skills to listen actively to patients and ability to speak in Spanish if needed
  • Openly accepting and seeking feedback to improve any aspect of the job

 

• Areas for Professional Development:
  • Creating schedule for incorporating research to know most recent evidence-based practices
  • Developing confidence in clinical reasoning
  • Providing concise/clear patient education that fosters understanding and motivation to continue exercises at home
  • Documentation in a quick, thorough and efficient manner
  • Planning to regularly participate in volunteer opportunities, focused on physical therapy

 

• Strategies to Achieve Professional Goals:
  • Participate in a monthly meeting with co-workers where the latest research (applicable to my patients ) is briefly presented and discussed
  • Discuss cases with former clinical instructors, asking them to help me reframe my clinical reasoning
  • Build a list of templates/smart phrases to use when documenting, hastening the process
  • Find a list of health-related fairs in the area, and plan to volunteer at 2 events per year.

Interprofessional Education Activities

I have had many opportunities to work alongside occupational therapists, recreation therapists, nurses and physicians in the acute care setting, and it helped me learn a great deal about their role vs my role in caring for patients. I was able to take an elective course offered by the School of Social Work, entitled “Older Adults”, where I learned about the socioeconomic, biological, psychological and physical challenges of the aging population in the US, working closely with social work students and public health professionals. Through IPE collaborative projects, I’ve interacted with occupational therapy, medical, dentistry, nutrition and speech therapy students on case studies, practicing ways to provide the best care for a patient. I was also able to work with event planners, coaches and safety officials when volunteering with the Paralyzed Veterans of America tournament and Special Olympics. Working with them helped me to consider the importance of ADA standards in public buildings and in transportation.

 

Electives

·      PHYT 870 Integrative Clinical Experience: Working closely with an experienced physical therapist, gaining skills necessary to become entry level

·      SOWO 843 Older Adults:  learning about various aspects of the needs/life of the aging population

·      Research Elective: Worked with the Applied Biomechanics Lab Head professor Dr. Jason Franz and Dr. Kavya Katugam-Dechene, compiling data and checking for correlations related to older adults’ balance and confidence

·      PHYT 800 Insurance in PT: worked at the front desk of an outpatient clinic, scheduling patients, communicating with insurance companies, preparing outcome measure surveys and updating security protocols in the office.

 

 

Capstone Project:

• Poster on balance research:

https://adminliveunc-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/sngordon_ad_unc_edu/EevsRLdVPeJNss4kZx_25_gB-nUbD6Dksqg2xMrxmtv-sg?e=2d3FWB

 

• Abstract for research paper (in the process of editing for publication):

https://adminliveunc-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/sngordon_ad_unc_edu/EYn2DMW1dR1GkQP-ehbL7okBQeCCxsftvSpCRI4bJnAVmQ?e=QzIT2f

 

• Community handout geared toward older adults (using research findings):

https://adminliveunc-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/sngordon_ad_unc_edu/Ebl2aU-RhWlCkwL9Ve0xdA8BH_i3qsKlgKb1eEcfqg9kxg?e=L5Zj0E

 

Reflective Statement:

Returning to UNC Chapel Hill to pursue a doctorate in physical therapy as a non-traditional student has been humbling, empowering and character building. Although I initially doubted whether I could keep pace with my classmates, balance family responsibilities and manage the academic intensity, this program taught me that I can adapt and learn at a greater pace than I knew I could. My previous experiences in the work force (and volunteering) taught me emotional intelligence, perseverance, and the ability to seek/accept feedback, all which have served me well in all clinical settings. Not only have I met an excellent group of future PTs through this program, but I’ve also been connected with great clinical instructors that are more than willing to continue helping me learn, professors that will support me however they can, and patients that have been extremely encouraging. I am looking forward to serving the older adult population (on land and in aquatic PT) in outpatient, assisted living, and eventually through private business as an exceptional physical therapist.

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