DPT Portfolios

Professional Goal Statement:

As a physical therapist, my goal is to help patients through skilled intervention while recognizing individual progress, even if it is delayed or looks different via adaptative equipment. I find there to be a special joy and healing in celebrating little wins. I have been able to provide encouragement to patients themselves or their caregivers in all settings I have completed rotations in, and I find the profession rewarding in every specialty. But, through my work, shadowing, and clinical experiences, I have found my place to be in pediatrics, where the congratulations and education given to new parents brings a healing peace to the family in addition to direct patient care. I aim to be a therapist who meets children at their ability level, recognizes potential, and progresses them appropriately through evidence-based intervention. I believe children need opportunities to reach ambitious goals and be included with peers, and I have a goal of becoming more involved with community organizations for children with disabilities such as creating an adaptive dance program. My eventual goal is to work in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) where I can create positive experiences for the preterm infant outside the womb and for the entire family, fostering overall development. I will begin a pediatric residency Fall 2025 and work to achieve pediatric and neonatal professional certifications in the coming years.

Career Path:

• May 2022: University of Delaware Bachelor of Science, Exercise Science
  • Minor: Human Development and Family Sciences
  • Experience as Research Assistant in “Move 2 Learn Innovation Lab” analyzing data for infant play and motor milestone development
• August 2025: University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill Doctor of Physical Therapy
  • Clinical Experiences:
    • June-August 2023: UNC Hospital – Inpatient Adult Cardiac, 8wk (Chapel Hill, NC)
    • February-April 2024: UNC Center for Rehabilitation Care – Outpatient Pediatrics, 8wk (Chapel Hill, NC)
    • April-June 2024: Pivot Physical Therapy – Outpatient Orthopedics, 8wk (Hummelstown, PA)
    • May-July 2025: Novant Health, Presbyterian Medical Center – Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, 12wk (Charlotte, NC)
  • Electives:
    • Intro Spanish for Health Professionals
    • Child and Family Assessment and Intervention
    • Research Experience: “Measuring Preterm Infant Center of Pressure and Movement on a Force Plate”
• July 2025: Pass the NPTE Exam
• September 2025: Begin pediatric residency at UNC-Chapel Hill and sit for the Pediatric Clinical Specialist Exam

Objectives:

• Graduate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with my DPT in 2025
• Pass the NPTE Exam in 2025
• Complete pediatric residency program 2025-2026
• Become a Board Certified Pediatric Clinical Specialist
• Become a Certified Neonatal Therapist (CNT) (3 years experience, 3500 hours in NICU + Exam)
• Participate in a community program to support participation of kids with disabilities

Specific Strategies:

• Past:
  • Personal Care Assistant of 5yo boy with spastic quadriplegic CP, utilizing skills gained during didactic and clinical experiences to facilitate therapeutic play and assist with HEP as well as gaining experience with pediatric equipment, G-tube, medications, and parent interaction.
  • Volunteer at GiGi’s Playhouse, gaining experience working with infants and children with Down syndrome and practicing communication with parents/answering their questions as it relates to motor development
  • Exploring shadowing opportunities of various pediatric PT settings (NICU shadowing at UNC Hospital, Hippotherapy shadowing at NC Therapeutic Riding Center)
  • Attending Combined Sections Meeting 2025
• Future:
  • Complete Prechtl Assessment of General Movements (GMA) course October 2025, required to work in many NICUs
  • Apply to a neonatal fellowship program for 2026

Products:

• Infant COP – Capstone Research Poster
• Prader-Willi – Annual Exam Template for Physical Therapists
• Parent Education Handout – Pavlik Harness
• What is Episodic Care in Pediatric PT?

Interprofessional Education Activities (IPE):

I completed the IPEP Distinguished Scholars Program, attending interprofessional events, meetings, and an immersion experience as a member since Fall 2023. As I pursue a career in pediatric physical therapy, collaboration with other professions is especially important. Complex kids have many needs including alternative modes of feeding and communication, multiple medications, and developmental differences that may require surgery. During my outpatient pediatric clinical as well as my NICU clinical, I have worked closely with other professions, discussing the child’s needs. Understanding other professions that can provide support for the whole family is especially important to provide healing and an optimal environment for child development. Through participating in the IPEP Distinguished Scholars program, I have learned to approach collaboration with mutual respect and a shared responsibility for patient outcomes. I know that within my own field, there are stereotypes and assumptions of what we do, and the same is true for most other professions. Having been a part of this organization for over a year, I have learned the role of various disciplines and feel confident that, after recognizing a patient’s needs outside of physical therapy, I know who I would go to within the health system.

Self-Assessment:

• Strengths:
  • Self-motivated and strong work ethic
  • Adapting communication for patients of all ages and their families
  • Being thorough in exploring and addressing patient concerns
  • Being encouraging and motivating to patients who are feeling frustrated/scared/in pain
• Areas for Professional Development:
  • Continue research and stay informed on current literature
  • Obtain advanced pediatric continuing education certifications to improve knowledge, evaluation, and treatment
  • Expanding knowledge of cultures and languages in order to connect with more patients

Reflection:

I am deeply grateful for UNC’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program for preparing and supporting me in meeting my professional goals. I began PT school with an interest in pediatric and specifically neonatal therapy, and I initially chose to apply to and attend UNC’s program because of its unique offering of a pediatric residency and subsequent neonatal fellowship such that I knew I would have opportunities to explore these more specialized areas of PT under experienced professors during my time here. I have always been able to tailor my elective choices, clinical opportunities, and project topics toward my pediatric interests which has prepared me immensely for my future pediatric residency and allows me to continue to be a part of NICU-based research. Currently participating in my final rotation in the NICU, I have been impressed by the education I received from UNC in this niche area of practice, preparing me better for this clinical than is expected. I have learned both fundamental information and soft skills over the past 3 years that prepare me to provide skilled and compassionate patient care with confidence. My learning is continuous, and I look forward to continued growth throughout my career.

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