PT student chosen as an American Physical Therapy Association Leadership Scholar

 

Third-year Doctor of Physical Therapy student Kaliea Green has been selected as one of 25 APTA Association Leadership Scholars from across the country.

APTA Association Leadership Scholars include PTs, PTAs and students, each of whom is paired up with a mentor and sponsored by the national APTA. The goal of the program, which runs from January through December, is to help build a diverse pool of future leaders.

Learn more about Green, vice president of the Class of 2023, in the Q&A below:

 

Q: Why did you choose to become a PT?

A: Physical therapy has a profound effect on a person's life. The first time I saw the pure joy on a patient’s face after they were able to achieve something they hadn't been able to before, I was hooked. PTs truly make monumental changes in a patient's ability to move or function the way they want to. I always was inclined toward a medical career, but once I saw the independence PT can restore to a patient's life, I knew that was where I wanted to be.

 

Q: What specialty/area of practice most interests you?

A: There is a noticeable scarcity of pelvic floor physical therapists and a large patient population that would immensely benefit from PFPT. This gap between supply and demand, combined with an ability to provide care to people across known health disparities drives my interest in pelvic floor therapy. 

 

Q: What do you hope to gain from your experience as an APTA Association Leadership Scholar?

A: With this program, I will have access to networking opportunities, expanded awareness of issues related to physical therapy on a national level and additional leadership skills that can be passed on to future graduating DPTs. As a soon-to-be new graduate, I hope to absorb information that will help jump-start my ability to provide accessible health care to a larger population with the help of experience from my fellow scholars. Overall, I plan to inspire future cohorts of physical therapists to get involved in state and national physical therapy associations, increase access to beneficial resources and promote the growth of leadership skills prior to graduation from this program.