Hometown: Beebe, AR
Briefly describe your role:
A: Outside of my day to day clinic work with clients I support my team of amazing fellow clinicians by staying informed about the latest evidence based strategies to get our clients better faster. As an adjunct faculty member at UCA I teach the next generation of physical therapist about pelvic floor rehabilitation and its role in supporting the health and function of the entire lumbopelvic system.
Q: Is what you’re doing now what you always pictured you would do?
A: I always thought I would teach in some capacity, but I never dreamed I would be a pelvic floor PT. I had never even heard of pelvic floor physical therapy before entering PT school.
Q: What do you see as the greatest challenges for women in your chosen industry? What are the greatest opportunities?
A: I could talk about this for days! Even though women make up the majority of physical therapists they are still under-represented in the field of PT for leadership roles. I think Advanced Physical Therapy and UCA both do a great job of having female representation in leadership, but that isn't the case everywhere. In terms of opportunities I think women are really taking more agency over their health care and are no longer willing to suffer with common symptoms like urinary leakage or pain during and after pregnancy in silence. As a result the pelvic health are of physical therapy is growing rapidly to meet the demands of this population.
Q: Who has inspired you in your life/career?
A: From a career perspective, the summer before physical therapy school I had a knee injury that changed my life. I couldn't walk without crutches for 12 weeks and had to use a cane for another 3 months. It was a really difficult and freighting time not knowing how my injury would impact my life and my profession long term. I got so much amazing support from my physical therapist and my physical therapy class mates. It taught so much about how I wanted to practice and the kind of care and support I wanted to offer my own clients. In life, my mom is a huge inspiration. She has always had such a zest for life and love learning and trying new things. I try to take that with me into my own life.
Q: What advice would you give to an aspiring professional?
A: Learn everything you can from everyone you can. I've learned from mentors, peers, mentees, and clients. Everyone has something to teach you if you are willing to listen.
Q: What's been the secret to success?
A: When I have big goals I have to be careful to not get too bogged down in the details and become paralyzed. Taking things day by day and knowing that being committed to the process is enough is important. Release expectations that the outcome will look a certain way. You may end up unimaginably happy in a place you never expected.