DPT Portfolios

Personal statement:

 

After graduating from the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, I plan to begin my career in the outpatient setting, with a particular focus on serving military personnel or athletic populations. I am especially interested in working with individuals who require a high level of physical readiness. Long term, I aim to pursue a residency in orthopedics or sports physical therapy and earn board certification to further refine my clinical expertise.

 

Career Plan:

• Education 
• • B.S, Health, Human Performance and Leisure Studies: Sports Medicine Concentration, Minor Chemistry, 2015- 2019
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Doctor of Physical Therapy; Class of 2024

Clinical Education:

• Duke Specialty Rehab Services Midtown, 
  • Setting: Outpatient Orthopaedics
• Bryant T. Aldridge Center (UNC Nash), 
  • Setting: Inpatient Rehab
• Carolinas Medical Center (Atrium Health), 
  • Setting: Acute Care
• Byoung Physical Therapy, 
  • Setting: Outpatient

Electives 

• Fall 2024: 
  • PHYT875: Advanced Orthopedic Management
  • PHYT 754: Research Experience 
• Spring 2025
  • PHYT 874: Topics in Sports Physical Therapy
  • PHYT 870: Integrated Clinical Experience

Capstone Project

• Title 
  • Advancing Concussion Rehabilitation: The Role of Exertional Testing & Early Aerobic Exercise
• Description:
  • This capstone project was a one-hour educational presentation focused on the importance of early aerobic exercise and the application of exertional testing, particularly in patients with altered mental status. The presentation included a review of peer-reviewed research and case studies, with a focus on military and athletic populations. The goal of the capstone was to help clinicians understand when and how to safely implement aerobic exercise early in recovery, even in complex cases. Learners gained practical knowledge on how to perform exertional testing in confused or cognitively impaired patients and how to safely integrate aerobic interventions into clinical practice to support optimal outcomes.

Self-Assessment:

• Strengths 
  • Implementing progressions and regressions of interventions
  • Clinical decision making for intervention selection 
  • Connecting and establishing rapport with patients
• Areas for development 
  • Improve precision and confidence in manual therapy techniques.
  • Strengthen communication and coordination with other healthcare professionals.
  • Continue refining skills in simplifying medical terminology for patient education.

Objectives 

• Graduate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Doctorate of Physical Therapy Degree
• Pass State Boards Physical Therapy Examination

• Obtain OCS by study or residency 
• Apply to become an active duty Air Force Physical Therapist 
• Open a clinic serving athletes in the Triangle area, targeting basketball rehabilitation and training 

Specific Strategies 

• Join a NPTE prep course to guide study materials 
• Shadow or speak with current OCS-certified PTs to understand their prep paths.
• Attend APTA conferences or events to network and expand network
• Build a professional online presence to establish credibility and visibility in the local sports community.
• Seek mentorship from clinic owners and sports performance professionals.

Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

• Throughout my time in the program, I have been deeply committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within healthcare and the physical therapy profession. As the DEI Chair, I helped lead initiatives that created more inclusive spaces for dialogue and representation among students. I participated in high school and middle school outreach programs aimed at exposing students from underrepresented backgrounds to careers in healthcare, helping to inspire the next generation of providers. Additionally, I helped organize UNC’s annual exploratory day, which was founded in 2022. The Exploratory Day event was designed to introduce students from underserved communities to the field of physical therapy and provide guidance on the educational and professional pathways to enter the profession. These experiences have allowed me to advocate for more equitable access to healthcare education and have reinforced my dedication to building a more inclusive and diverse healthcare workforce.

Interprofessional Education Activities

• During my time at Chapel Hill, I have enjoyed participating in and organizing interprofessional activities that promote collaboration and mutual understanding across healthcare disciplines. One of the most impactful events I took part in was the IPE Telehealth event, which brought together students from nursing, occupational therapy, physician assistant, and medical programs. This event simulated real-world telehealth scenarios that required us to work together to assess and manage patient care through a virtual platform. The experience significantly strengthened my interprofessional communication skills, as I had to clearly articulate my clinical reasoning while also actively listening to and incorporating the perspectives of my peers from other professions. It challenged me to think more broadly about patient care beyond just the physical therapy, and to appreciate the value each discipline brings to the healthcare team. I learned how to navigate working in teams, advocate for my role as a physical therapist, and contribute meaningfully to shared decision making systems. This event reaffirmed my belief in the power of collaborative care and has prepared me to thrive in interprofessional environments moving forward in my career.
• Another interprofessional event that stood out to me was Difference Matters, hosted by the Allied Health Ambassadors. As co-president of the organization, I helped organize and lead this event, which focused on addressing the unique experiences and challenges faced by individuals with disabilities. We collected personal stories from students and clinicians and invited healthcare providers from a range of disciplines—including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, nursing, and medicine—to share their perspectives on working with children with disabilities and their families. This event was particularly meaningful because it created space for honest conversations about bias, accessibility, and culturally responsive care. I learned valuable insights about the importance of language, the role of family-centered care, and how to better advocate for patients whose needs may not always be visible or easily understood.
• Lastly, I participated in the IPEP Case Study Review, which provided another valuable opportunity to collaborate with students from various healthcare professions and gain a deeper understanding of their unique contributions to patient care. During the case discussions, I was able to clearly explain the role of physical therapy within the interdisciplinary team, including how movement analysis, functional training, and patient education can significantly impact outcomes. Participating in the IPEP Case Study Review helped solidify my confidence in contributing to interprofessional discussions and emphasized the value of collaboration in achieving optimal patient outcomes.

Two Product Examples:

Link to Capstone: https://unc.voicethread.com/myvoice/thread/30693633

Link to in-service: “Outcome Measures for High Complexity ICU Patients”: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1lN9dcWbkXPzFLubvE-FvFESipkMGC81k3ksKPCINBmk/edit?usp=sharing

 

Reflection:

Throughout my time in the physical therapy program at Chapel Hill, I have experienced significant growth both personally and professionally. From my first day in the classroom to my final clinical rotation, I have built a strong foundation in evidence-based practice, clinical reasoning, patient-centered care, and interprofessional collaboration. As I head into the workforce, I will apply the knowledge that I have gained throughout the years to treat patients effectively. Over the next few years, I aim to further develop my expertise in orthopedics and sports rehabilitation, pursue board certification and serve as an active duty Air Force physical therapist. 

Being a PT is more than just treating patients. It’s about building trust, empowering individuals through education, and becoming a consistent advocate for their health. It involves seeing the person beyond the diagnosis and understanding their goals. As a physical therapist, I will have the privilege of guiding people through some of their most vulnerable moments, helping them regain not just function, but confidence and independence. It also means committing to lifelong learning, contributing to the profession, and collaborating with other healthcare providers to deliver the best possible care. Ultimately, being a PT is about making a lasting impact in people’s lives. I am excited for the next chapter and committed to continuing to grow as a physical therapist, teammate, and leader in the profession.

 

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