PHYSICAL THERAPY

Graduated in 1994
Regional Director of Therapy, Homecare & Outpatient, Rivetus Rehabilitation
Chair, Michigan Board of Physical Therapy
Chair, Ethics and Legislation Committee, Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy

Q: Why did you choose Wayne State University?

A: I grew up in Bloomfield Hills, a suburb of Detroit. I remember going down to Detroit with my family to the Detroit Institute of Arts, Joe Louis Arena, the Detroit Science Center, Boblo Island, and Cobo Hall. The experiences in the city included the Grand Prix, the Auto Show, Hydroplane races, Red Wings games, and many Tigers games. Detroit had an attraction and a bit of a mystique about it. I spent my first year of college out of state in Arizona, and once I came back home there was just a desire to be on the Wayne State campus in Detroit.

Q: What inspired you to pursue PT?

A: I was inspired to go into physical therapy after suffering a knee injury tearing my Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) my senior year of high school. I had a long course of PT afterwards. In those days an ACL reconstruction had a 3-4 day hospital stay, used a knee immobilizer for 3 months, and had little use of the leg for that time...now the same surgery is done outpatient!

I had a great PT, David, who pushed me hard enough, and worked very hard to get my knee and leg muscles back to where I wanted them to be. My experience with my injury and recovery thanks to a PT led me to choose this profession.

Q: Who was your most memorable instructor?

A: Wow, that is a very difficult question to answer as there were so many great professors that I truly enjoyed learning from and now happily consider colleagues. Some of the names of those PTs include Sue Talley, Jake Jakubiak Kovacek, Peter Kovacek, Mable Sharp, Jacqueline Drouin, and Doug Creighton. However, if I can only select one most memorable professor, it would be Stanley Guest, PT. Stan was a practicing physical therapist but devoted time to come to Wayne State University to give back to the PT program. I recall how I had hoped someday to be as knowledgeable as Stan was (realizing I probably never could) with his knowledge of how the biomechanics of the body worked during everyday movement, how to really observe your client, and how to listen to their description of the problem they needed PT to "fix." I still to this day consider Stan as one of the most influential practitioners I have met. I'll continue to use his example of listening to your patient's story to help determine their injury, and I will never forget the 3 ankle tendons of "Tom," "Dick," and "Harry" as he helped calm me during a practical exam. Stan, in case you read this, posterior to the medial malleolus in order from ventral to dorsal; Tibialis posterior, flexor Digitorum longus, and flexor Hallucis longus! Thank you to all the professors!

Q: What was your most challenging class?

A: A prerequisite course for applying to the PT program, biochemistry. I remember hearing about biochemistry being one of those classes that helped to weed out prospective applicants to the PT program and I can see why. Biochemistry is just one of those subjects that just really challenges you and required a lot of study time, plus some help from my sister-in-law's sister who happened to have a degree in biochemistry. So, thank you, LuAnn for tutoring me, and don't worry, I won't mention about the time you blew the door off the lab's microwave during one of your experiments and put that hole in the wall!

Q: Did you have a favorite hangout on campus?

A: My favorite place to hang out while I was in the PT program was in the lunchroom at the Applebaum Building. When I was in the program at Wayne State, we had 36 students, and back then it was two-and-a-half years. So small group, over a significant period, taking the same classes at the same time also meant we had a lunch break at the same time. Every day, we played Euchre during lunch to pass the time and probably to take our minds off whatever quiz or test was coming up that afternoon. My lockermate, Chris Simone, PT was a great Euchre partner!

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

A: WSU and the education I received set the foundation for my professional career, and I can't say thank you enough! My time on campus taking pre-requisite courses was enjoyable. I was able to take a class in Old Main, I learned how to pick the right food vendors to purchase a weekly hot dog from, and I was able to walk over to the DIA on occasion. During my time in the PT program I was able to make many friends, was able to spend time in Greektown, learn how to play Euchre better, and ultimately see a great city.

Q: Share a career highlight or summary:

A: I have been fortunate enough to have a career that has been filled with many highlights. I've had the privilege of helping many individuals in clinical practice, I can't necessarily pick one. However, one of the most rewarding things I can witness is the "simple" milestones that a patient accomplishes such as sitting on the edge of a hospital bed without support, the first steps with a prosthesis, or a returning patient telling me they were able to golf with their son. I treat patients on a limited basis as my career has led to roles in leadership. I have volunteered for the APTA-Michigan professional chapter as the Legislative Director, been appointed by two Governors to the Michigan Board of PT, served as a committee member for the national Federation of State Boards of PT, and have been an active participant in several Centers for Medicare & Medicaid expert panels.

I'm most grateful for the many friends and colleagues I've worked with for nearly 30 years!

---

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.