Mar 28 2023

Matthews, Carson

Published by

Professional Goal Statement

Upon graduating from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree, I plan to pursue a career in neurologic physical therapy, particularly in the geriatric population. I am passionate about working with older individuals who have balance impairments to improve their quality of life, functional mobility, and overall health. I was born and raised in a rural community and I want to give back to this special subset of the population by championing their values and concerns, while also seeking to improve the health literacy in these areas. I aspire to be a clinician who is a lifelong learner and one that can connect with any patient to develop a relationship that fosters trust.

 

Career Plan

Education

  • Surry Community College: 2016-2018
    • Associate of Arts and Associate of Science
  • Appalachian State University: 2018-2020
    • Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science, summa cum laude
  • Currently attending The University of North Carolina at Chapel-Hill: 2020-2023
    • Graduate on July 29th with my Doctorate of Physical Therapy

Clinical Experiences

  • UNC Chatham Rehabilitation Services at Pittsboro: Pittsboro, NC
    • Outpatient Orthopedics: June-August 2021 (8 weeks)
  • UNC Hillsborough Hospital: Hillsborough, NC
    • Acute Inpatient Rehab: March-April 2022 (8 weeks)
    • ICE: January-February 2023 (60 hours)
  • Duke Regional Hospital: Durham, NC
    • Acute Care: April-June 2022 (8 weeks)
  • Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital: Elkin, NC
    • Home Health: May-July 2023 (12 weeks)

 Graduation and Beyond

  • Pass the National Physical Therapy Exam: July 25th, 2023
  • Graduate from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree: July, 29th, 2023
  • Accept a job in acute inpatient rehab, acute care, or home health in rural Northwest North Carolina: August, 2023
  • Begin self-studying for the NCS exam: September, 2024
  • Pass NCS exam and obtain specialty certification: March, 2025
  • Become a clinical instructor and help facilitate students interest in the profession as well as fostering their learning: August, 2025
  • Move into an administration role or teach an undergraduate course after ~10-15 years of patient care experience

 

Self-Assessment

Strengths

  • Developing rapport with patients
  • Communicating within the interdisciplinary team
  • Flow and thoroughness of my evaluations
  • Detail of my documentation

Areas for Professional Development

  • Having the difficult conversations with patients when they may not agree with your recommendations
  • Insurance and reimbursement
  • Evaluating and treating the cognitively impaired patients with accompanying communication deficits

 

Objectives

  • Pass the National Physical Therapy Exam: July 25th, 2023
  • Graduate from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree: July, 29th, 2023
  • Begin my career working with older adults with neurological injuries or diseases: August, 2023
  • Begin mentoring high school and college students who have an interest in physical therapy: 2024
  • Complete NCS certification and pass exam: March, 2025
  • Become a clinical instructor: August, 2025

 

Specific Strategies

  • Adhere to my detailed study plan to help me maintain a consistent schedule in preparing for the National Physical Therapy Exam
  • Apply to jobs in acute inpatient rehab, acute care, and home health settings in rural Northwest North Carolina
  • Choose continuing education courses that are consistent with my area of practice and that will facilitate my evidence-based approach to patient care.
  • Create a network of mentors, including former clinical instructors, who are able to advise and counsel me on my career

 

Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Throughout the program, I completed several experiences related to this topic which taught me valuable lessons I can translate to my professional career. This included reading a commencement address by Fredrick Douglass, reading an article regarding bias in medical records, and watching a YouTube video highlighting healthcare disparities. As I reflect on the themes of the experiences above, my philosophy on the subject remains steadfast. I believe that we should treat our neighbors as we treat ourselves. When I am treating a patient, I always ask myself, “If this was my family member, how would I want them to be treated and cared for?” This puts things in perspective quickly. Each patients immutable physical characteristics should be irrelevant when we are treating them. As Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. famously stated, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”

Physical diversity is important, but intellectual diversity is also essential because it allows the best ideas to emerge from the marketplace of thought. This concept has been a pillar of science for years because hypotheses have to be rigorously tested before they are implemented throughout society. Constructive debate about important issues are healthy and they facilitate compromise, problem solving, and intellectual growth. All of which are integral for the advancement of the physical therapy profession and society in general.

 

Product Examples

 

Electives

  • Advanced Orthopedic Assessment and Treatment
  • Integrated Clinical Experience (ICE) in Acute Inpatient Rehab
  • Topics in Sports Physical Therapy
  • Advanced Neuromuscular Intervention

 

Reflective Statement

As I reflect on my time at UNC the past three years, I can say with certainty that I have grown as a person, student, and professional. The first semester was overwhelming because I was inundated with voluminous material that was coming from all directions. Thankfully, my study habits improved, I was able to find a good work-life balance, and I developed close relationships with several classmates which provided a lifeline for all things school. Throughout my first two years, I experienced superb clinical rotations which magnified my passion I have for this profession and channeled my desire to work with the neurologic patient population. I was able to see firsthand the impact we can have on our patients functional status, quality of life, and overall well-being. The didactic work and clinical rotations have allowed me to develop tangible skills that I can implement in my future evidence-based approach to patient care.

I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that each of my 28 classmates will make terrific physical therapists, leaders, and educators. This university has prepared each of us to take the reins of this profession and promote the ideals instilled in us to improve the lives of our patients. I am very proud to say that the little boy that grew up going to elementary school every day decked out in Carolina blue is now graduating from that very school he’s loved his whole life.

2 responses so far




2 Responses to “Matthews, Carson”

  1.   Lisa Johnstonon 31 May 2023 at 8:11 pm

    Carson, Great job on your portfolio! Nice to see all you have accomplished and your goals. Northwest NC will be well served to have you in the area!! Good luck to you in whatever you choose to do next and beyond. Lisa

    Reply

  2.   Sean Lowerson 27 Jun 2023 at 1:36 pm

    Carson,
    It’s great to see how you have grown and developed as a clinician. Your patients will be very fortunate to have you as their PT. Congratulations and best wishes in this next phase of your career.
    Sean

    Reply

Comments RSS

Leave a Reply