PHYSICAL THERAPY

Graduated in 1989

Q: Why did you choose WSU?

A: It was close to home, had a physical therapist program, and I was blessed with a full academic scholarship. The scholarship covered not only my fall/winter tuition and fees but my spring/summer classes as well! That was extremely beneficial once I enrolled in the Physical Therapy program, which was year-round.

Q: What inspired you to pursue PT?

A: I attended a career day in high school where one of the speakers was a physical therapist. I knew I wanted to go into health care but wasn't sure what I wanted to do. The physical therapist was so passionate and inspirational that I left knowing I wanted to be a physical therapist. To confirm my decision, I started volunteering in the PT department at a local hospital and eventually was hired as a PT aide. I absolutely loved all the variety of patients and working with people! I knew I had found my profession.

Q: Who was your most memorable instructor?

A: Mable Sharp. She was evidenced based and taught primarily orthopedic classes at the time, which was my greatest area of interest. She was also a bit intimidating, but you knew if you answered correctly that you really did know the content. Toward the end of my time as an SPT, Mable was taking coursework in more the "art" of PT interventions. I don't recall what the intervention was but it really opened my eyes that although PT is science based, it is also an art and we as practitioners need to learn about as many approaches as we can to truly help all of our patients.

Funny story that involves Mable: We had a class where we had to do skits. One group was demonstrating Parkinson's Disease. The student demonstrating the festering gait pattern tripped and fell through the drywall in the classroom out into the hallway! He was ok but you could have heard a pin drop as no one wanted to laugh even though it was pretty funny — until Mable started laughing! Then we all joined in!

Q: What was your most challenging class?

A: I would like to say it was anatomy or some high-level class but it was actually an electrotherapeutic agents class that was a four-hour lecture on Friday afternoons. The content was pretty dry and I wasn't all that interested, so I had difficulty staying engaged (and awake).

Q: Did you have a favorite hangout on campus? 

A: On main campus, I hung out at the Student Center for my first two years at WSU prior to beginning the PT program — and I met my husband in the Student Center!

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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.