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Meet Rachel, DPT Student – Widener Univ.

Why did you decide to enter the field of Physical Therapy?

I decided to enter the field of Physical Therapy because I always knew I wanted to help people. I have always been interested in health care because its main purpose is to optimize people’s health. I always have wanted to contribute to that purpose. I knew that physical therapy was a great way to positively impact a patient’s road to recovery. Ever since I can remember, I have been interested in sports, fitness, human movement, being active, and overall health. Physical therapy is a profession that is able to incorporate and prioritize all of these interests. This occupation is very rewarding because you have the opportunity to be a part of someone’s journey by assisting them to get back to their optimal level of function as well as hobbies, passions, and interests. The idea of being able to provide quality care and be a part of a person’s rehabilitation experience is something that I find very unique and rare. I was able to realize the importance of this occupation firsthand, when I got injured in high school. I got to see how a physical therapist could truly impact someone’s life during challenging time, and I have been committed to becoming a physical therapist ever since.

What is your background?

I am a third year Doctorate of Physical Therapy Student at Widener University in Chester, Pennsylvania. During my undergraduate time, I was in the 3+3 accelerated Pre-Physical Therapy tract at Widener University, where I obtained my B.A. in Psychology in 2019. I was lucky enough to be a PSC Bonner Scholar at Widener, where I was able to volunteer at Northern Star Sports, the Unity Center, and the Boys and Girls Club. In graduate school, I was able to provide pro-bono physical therapy services at the Chester Community Clinic. I was raised in Eldersburg, Maryland, but when college came around, I wanted to explore a different scenery. After six years of schooling, I decided it was time to come back to Maryland because Pennsylvania can’t compete with our crab cakes. Throughout my life, I have been surrounded by sports. I began playing soccer around age 4. Growing up, I participated a variety of sports including swimming, soccer, tennis, lacrosse, and basketball. At Liberty High School, I decided to focus on playing soccer and tennis. Throughout college, I continued to have a passion for sports, and decided to play intramurals to continue doing what I love. In my spare time now, I enjoy playing golf, running, skiing, hiking, watching sports, working out, and listening to music. I am a die-hard Washington Football Team, Washington Capitals, and Manchester United fan.

What is your specialty/niche when it comes to being a future physical therapist?

As a future physical therapist, I would like to specialize in promoting health wellness, injury prevention, and being active to all my patients. I believe that a physical therapist can make meaningful change in a person’s life by advocating for lifestyle changes. I have a true passion for exercising because it provides both mental and physical health benefits. I would like to share my passion with my patients and have the opportunity to assist patients return back to their passion or even discover a new passion. I believe a future niche for myself would be rehabilitating athletes because I myself have experienced the challenges an injury can cause. I would enjoy the opportunity to be a motivator, coach, and contributor to getting that athlete back to their sport in a safe manner. It is important to send youth athletes back to their sport when they are ready, which means focusing on strength building, increasing range of motion, agility, coordination, aerobic ability, and completing their sport pain free. My goal as a physical therapist is to encourage all athletes to get back to their optimal level of function and realize their full potential because sports are so much more than what meets the eye. Sports are about teamwork, commitment, character building, friendship, drive, joy, and passion, and I want to be a part of giving all that back to those who may have temporarily lost it. 

What are you most looking forward to joining the Rehab 2 Perform team?

I am beyond excited about joining the Rehab 2 Perform team because their mission is in complete alignment with mine. Rehab 2 Perform is a company designed to empower athletes to returning to sport in a safe and appropriate manner as well as prioritizing all patient’s goals to becoming active and returning to their passion. Rehab 2 Perform is about prioritizing and engaging with the patients, and this is what physical therapy is about. I look forward to combining strength and conditioning coaching with physical therapy interventions that will optimize the quality of care that we will provide. Also, I am excited to joining a team that is building such positive rapport with their patients as well as their community.

What are your plans on trying to engage and connect with the community?

My plans on connecting with the community include developing meaningful relationships with my patients to understand the wants and needs of the community. I plan on using my physical therapist social media to post about Rehab 2 Perform’s mission and keep the community updated on the benefits of nutrition and fitness, proper form during exercise, evidence-based practice interventions, exercise regimens, purpose of physical therapy, and education on the human body. I have had vast experience with community engagement during my time at Widener, and I would love to continue this trend with my home community.

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