PHYSICAL THERAPY

Graduated in 1989

Q: Why did you choose WSU?

A: Wayne State had a Physical Therapy program that allowed me to live at home and commute, an opportunity I appreciated. 

Q: What inspired you to pursue PT?

A: I did volunteer work as a teen with children who had special needs. I decided then that I wanted to work with children. PT was a perfect fit for me.

Q: Who was your most memorable instructor?

A: Christine Carlson, because she was a pediatric PT and took me under her wing.

Q: Share some reflections about your time at Wayne State.

A: Not only did WSU prepare me for my career, but it was also my observation that WSU students remained in the higher echelon of students through our department.

Q: In your opinion, what is one of the biggest changes that has occurred in your profession since graduating?

A: I graduated with a bachelor of science; now students are graduating with doctorates. There is a much higher emphasis on evidence-based treatment.

Q: Tell us a bit about your career.

A: I worked in the PT world for 40 years, 32 of them at Oakwood/Beaumont. I have experience in the VA system, in home health care, in outpatient, in the school system and, finally, in pediatrics. I spent the last 16 years of my career doing outpatient pediatrics exclusively. Working with kids and their families has been the highlight of my career.

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Physical therapists are dynamic health professionals who develop, coordinate and utilize select knowledge, skills and techniques in planning, organizing and directing programs for the care of individuals whose ability to function is impaired or threatened by disease or injury. The goal of PT is to enhance a person’s quality of life and their ability to participate in activities. The Doctor of Physical Therapy program application process opens July 1 and the deadline is Oct. 15. WSU Applebaum information meetings for prospective students take place at 6 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month.

An anchor in urban health care

The Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is built on more than 100 years of tradition and innovation in the heart of Detroit. We have grown deep roots in our city, harnessing its powerhouse hospital systems and community service organizations as vibrant, real-world training grounds for students, with an ongoing focus on social justice in health care. And our research at all levels – from undergraduates to veteran faculty members – translates into creative solutions for healthier communities.

Wayne State University is a premier urban research institution offering approximately 350 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to nearly 24,000 students.