DPT Portfolios

Professional Goal Statement:

My goal as a physical therapist is to provide evidence based and compassionate care to every individual I encounter. Following my graduation from UNC’s DPT program and obtaining licensure to practice in North Carolina, I plan to pursue a career in outpatient sports and orthopedics. My goal is to work in an environment with an athlete-centered culture that provides various rehab services and optimizes performance, promotes longevity, and reduces injury risk. Within the next 5 years, I plan to obtain my CSCS and SCS to better serve the athletic patient population.

Career Plan

Education

• Muhlenberg College, B.S. Neuroscience; Class of 2022
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Doctor of Physical Therapy; Class of 2025

Clinical Experiences

• UNC Southeastern, Lumberton, NC – outpatient ortho (8 weeks: June-August 2023)
• UNC Hospital, Chapel Hill, NC – acute hospital (8 weeks: March-April 2024)
• James A Haley VA Hospital, Tampa, FL – inpatient rehab (8 weeks: April-June 2024)
• Duke Sports Physical Therapy, Cary, NC – outpatient sports/ortho (12 weeks: May-July 2025)

DPT Electives

• Advanced Orthopedic Assessment and Intervention
• Child and Family Assessment
• Topics in Sports Physical Therapy

Objectives/Timeline

• Graduate from UNC’s DPT program in August 2025.
• Obtain CSCS certification during summer 2025
• Pass the NPTE on the first attempt in October 2025
• Begin career as outpatient sports/orthopedic clinician
• Seek out early clinical mentorship
• Build network by connecting with local gyms, sports organizations, and schools
• Obtain SCS certification by 2030

Self-Assessment

Strength:

• Patient communication & establishing rapport
• Accountability
• Openness to feedback

Area for Professional Development:

• Professional networking, attending conferences, advocacy
• Improve understanding of insurance and reimbursement policies
• Clinical reasoning

Interprofessional Educational Activities

I’ve had several opportunities to collaborate with various healthcare disciplines both in the classroom and while on rotation throughout my time in the DPT program. We had several IPE activities with SLP, OT, Dentistry, Social Work, and Nursing. This helped strengthen my appreciation for team-based care. These interprofessional experiences reinforced the idea that no one discipline holds all the answers. Different providers bring unique perspectives that promote more holistic assessments and detailed plans of care. In the sports world, whether I am working with athletic trainers, strength and conditioning coaches, sports coaches, or orthopedic specialists, I will continue to refine my skills with active listening, effective communication, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Collaboration is the cornerstone to effective patient care, especially when supporting athletes with complex movement demands and personalized goals.

Two Product Examples

Capstone project: Off season plyometric training progressions for non-contact ACL injury prevention for football.

• Included an Evidence Table, coach-friendly Handout, and video demonstrations to improve athlete education

In-Service Presentation: “Plyometric rehab intervention progressions for post-op ACL-R and Return to Sport”

• Presentation delivered to rehab therapist team at Duke Sports Clinic, Cary NC

Reflective Statement

Reflecting on my time in the UNC DPT program, I’m proud of how far I’ve come both personally and professionally. These past three years have been filled with challenges and opportunities for growth that shaped how I think and communicate professionally. I’ve gained a better understanding of the real-world demands of clinical practice including productivity demands, time efficiency, and collaborative communication across disciplines. Reflecting on my capstone project, I gained valuable experience leading educational workshops and coaching athletes. These moments solidified my passion for sports injury prevention and showed me how I can make an impact by blending rehabilitation with sports performance and strength and conditioning. I’m excited to work in a setting that not only helps athletes return to their sport safely but also enhances their overall performance and career longevity. As I enter my career, I’m committed to staying current with evidence-based care, prioritizing individualized treatment, and building strong professional relationships. The foundation laid during this program has prepared me not just to be a skilled clinician, but also a leader and educator in the sports rehab field.

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