Why Mount Union?
I chose Mount Union's DPT program because of the small cohort size and access to various resources and opportunities! Having a smaller cohort has allowed me to make very close connections with my classmates and professors. Faculty are always willing to go out of their way and make time to meet after or outside of class, and really want to see us excel in the profession. As a visual learner, I really enjoy how our program provides lots of hands-on learning to ensure we understand the concepts. We also have a few different classes where alumni or adjunct professors come in and speak to current students, which I really enjoy as it allows us not only to make connections in the PT field, but it also allows us to hear different perspectives and learn new ways to do things in the profession!
Gaining Experience in the Field
Thus far, I have completed an eight week clinical rotation at an outpatient clinic in where I gained experience working with orthopedic and vestibular populations as well as patients with breast cancer. I am so grateful for this experience and that I was able to apply what I learned during the didactic period into real-world situations. I learned so much about treatments, documentation, and how to work in an interdisciplinary team. For the past two semesters at Mount Union, I have also had the opportunity to be A Matter of Balance Coach in our local community. Matter of Balance is an 8 week course for older individuals to promote fall prevention. This course empowers participants to make changes in their homes, set goals for increasing activity levels, and build the confidence needed to stay active and independent!