DPT Portfolios

Professional Goal Statement

When COVID-19 abruptly brought the world to a halt, I was a junior in college and in the midst of my third season as a Division 1 lacrosse player. Within 2 weeks, the season was canceled. Months later, the individuals whose season had been impacted by the pandemic were given a “COVID year.” This was a unique opportunity that meant I would graduate with my degree in 4 years as planned, but with a leftover year of eligibility. Choosing to use that year to pursue my master’s in public health was one of the best decisions I ever made. It opened doors I couldn’t imagine and ultimately shaped the career path I am on today.

Just 3 short years later, I am graduating with my DPT, preparing to serve as a Lieutenant in the US Public Health Service (PHS) and about to start working as a PT in the Federal Bureau of Prisons. 8 years ago, I would have never believed the journey I have been on to get where I am today, and I feel a responsibility to capitalize on all the opportunities I have been given. My professional goal is to integrate my public health foundation, including barriers to care, psychosocial factors for prognosis, and the power of empathy, with my clinical expertise in physical therapy, including the importance of movement, exercise and functional recovery. By combining these perspectives, I aim to deliver meaningful, quality of care to an underserved population that may not be accustomed to receiving it. For example, I am interested in further exploring the use of adaptive equipment and how we can modify it to fit individual needs. This would be capitalizing on the idea of holistically treating the individual to improve quality of life and health equity while staying rooted in the PT principles of improving mobility and function. Overall, this job and opportunity is a unique niche I have found myself in, one that I am inspired to be a part of.

A unique aspect of work in this setting is the education component. During my last clinical rotation at the federal prison, I have found that I really enjoy teaching these individuals how to apply health knowledge both during incarceration and in preparation for reintegration into society. It takes creativity to find ways these individuals can continue to pursue a healthy lifestyle while incarcerated, and it is extremely rewarding when they utilize that knowledge to make a lasting change. I think my background in public health grants me a unique approach to meet these individuals with empathy in regard to their physical function and find effective communication strategies so they can make lasting changes in their health.

Career Plan

Past Accomplishments

• Bachelor of Science in Health Science from Drexel University
  • Minor in Communications, Exercise Science
• Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from Drexel University

Clinical Experience:

• Clinical I: Outpatient Orthopedic – Ambulatory Care Center (UNC), Chapel Hill, NC (June 2023-August 2023)
• Clinical II: Inpatient Neurorehabilitation (SCI) – Atrium Health, Charlotte, NC (February 2024-April 2024)
• Clinical III: Acute Care – W.G. (Bill) Hefner VA Medical Center, Salisbury, NC (April 2024-June 2024)
• Clinical IV: Complex Care – Federal Medical Center, Butner, NC (April 2025-July 2025)

 Professional Development

• SPTA (August 2022 – Present)
• IPEP Scholar (October 2023 – Present)
• Research Intern – Clinical Practice Guideline for Concussion (September 2024 – May 2025)
• Teacher Assistant – Musculoskeletal (Spring 2025)

Future Plans

• Sit for and pass NPTE (July 2025)
• Graduate from UNC DPT program (August 2025)
• Begin working at the Federal Correctional Complex (August 2025)
• CEU’s in seating and mobility to better understand the customization of assistive devices such as wheelchairs, prosthetics and orthotics (2026)
• Become a board-certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (2028)

Objectives

1. Pass the National Physical Therapy Exam (2025)
2. Graduate with a Doctorate in Physical therapy from UNC-Chapel Hill (2025)
3. Become a board-certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (2028)
4. Promote to a Lieutenant Commander (2030)

Self-Assessment

Strengths

• Dual expertise in public health and physical therapy
• Patient-centered care
• Strong communication skills
• Clinical reasoning and critical thinking
• Receptive to feedback

Areas for Professional Development

• Engagement with current research
• Efficiency with documentation
• Attendance of professional conferences such as APTA and USPHS symposiums

Elective Courses

Fall 2024

• Advanced Orthopedic Assessment and Intervention
• Research Experience

Spring 2024

• Teacher Scholar Program – MSK I
• Advanced Neuromuscular Intervention

Interprofessional Education Activities

Participating in a variety of interprofessional education activities throughout my training has significantly deepened my appreciation for the collaborative nature of healthcare. These experiences not only enhanced my understanding of other healthcare disciplines but also strengthened my ability to communicate, problem-solve, and lead within a team-based approach.

The IPEP fall fest that I participated in my first year of PT school, allowed me to engage with students from a wide range of healthcare programs in a relaxed, informal setting. This event allowed for open conversation about our prospective roles and training backgrounds. It was the perfect introduction to my three years at UNC, and I came away with a stronger appreciation for the diverse skills and perspectives each discipline brings to the table.

The TBI case-based activity was a more immersive experience that highlighted the importance of coordinated care in managing complex patient cases. Working in an interprofessional team to support a theoretical patient through their recovery journey revealed the critical need for clear communication, shared decision-making, and mutual respect. This reinforced the idea that optimal patient outcomes are achieved when disciplines work together toward a common goal.

Lastly, the neurology case-based learning session with students from medicine and allied health sciences challenged me to apply both my clinical reasoning and communication skills in a collaborative setting. This was an in person effort that stimulated more interaction than online IPEP events and allowed me to learn even more about other health care approaches.

Collectively, my IPEP experience reinforced the value of interprofessional collaboration in delivering high quality, patient centered care. These activities were appropriately spaced throughout the program to allow me to learn, reflect and apply the knowledge I gained through each of these experiences. As I transition into clinical practice, I am committed to fostering strong working relationships across disciplines to improve patient outcomes. In a facility such as the Federal Medical Center, where inmates often present with complex comorbidities, a cohesive, collaborative healthcare team is essential to providing effective and equitable care.

Product Examples

Capstone Presentation: https://dptportfolios.web.unc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/2565/2025/05/Capstone-Presentation-Updated.pdf

Health Literacy Inservice: https://dptportfolios.web.unc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/2565/2025/05/Health-Literacy.pdf

Cardiovascular Rehabilitation in Prisons: https://dptportfolios.web.unc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/2565/2025/05/Cardio-Comeback-.docx.pdf

Master’s Dissertation (From Drexel): https://dptportfolios.web.unc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/2565/2025/05/Masters-Presentation.pdf

Reflective Statement:

When I started the program, I had no clear idea of what I wanted to do. I often said I just wanted to be a physical therapist—you could place me anywhere, in any environment (well, maybe not pediatrics), and I would find a way to be happy. That mindset allowed me to enter the program with an open mind and a willingness to explore unique possibilities. My goals for myself have transformed way beyond what I thought they would three years ago. Once I completed my masters, I realized I enjoyed the public health side of healthcare more than I thought I would. When I started PT school, my goal became integrating both my master’s and doctorate into a career. The problem with that goal at the time, was that I didn’t quite know how to achieve it.

After self-reflection and conversations with people in PHS, I realized this could be a clear path forward to what I had set out to do. I saw a way to treat orthopedic patients without the burnout, a way to pursue leadership opportunities without insurance or owning a private clinic, and a way to challenge myself creatively every single day. However, my career goals go beyond simply using both of my degrees. They instead center around thriving in an environment that I can make a lasting impact. This is why I am excited to carve out my own niche in the realm of PHS and physical therapy.  I want to pursue my OCS certification so I can provide evidence-based care to this subset of patients. I want to capitalize on my expertise in barriers to care and expand my knowledge of adaptive equipment to help individuals gain greater independence in their environments. In hindsight, this ending to my journey as a student isn’t a surprising one, but certainly one I never would have seen coming.

Albeit a unique path, I am grateful for all the learning opportunities, clinical experiences and mentors that have helped guide me on it. UNC has not only challenged me to grow as a clinician but has also given me lifelong friendships and memories. As I begin this new chapter of my journey, I will always look back on this one with pride and gratitude.

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