In what areas have you experienced the greatest personal and professional learning and

development during this academic year?

I think I have been less nervous about exams and practicals since the fall semester. Over the past
year, I have changed my study habits and trialed different study methods that other DPT students
use, so that I have learn the material in multiple ways. I am hoping that this will give me a strong
foundation to be able to apply my knowledge while being out in the clinic. I have professionally
and personally grown in this program by being more social and interacting with my student
peers, professors, and Mount Pleasant community members.
My greatest professional development took place when I was on my first clinical at
MidMichigan Medical Center-Alpena, where I worked primarily in the acute care and inpatient
rehabilitation settings. I had never shadowed in these settings prior to physical therapy school
and we had not had our didactic semesters on these settings yet. I was out of my comfort zone,
but I learned how to work under pressure, take advantage of new opportunities, and know when
to ask questions. I think going on this clinical prior to learning about these settings and the
common conditions associated with them was beneficial and helped me during my fall and
spring semesters of my second year. I did find myself missing orthopedics, the outpatient setting,
and using my hands for manual therapy techniques. I felt that I did not have enough one-on-one
time with my patients in the acute care setting to build strong relationships, so I am looking
forward to my clinical rotations in the outpatient and inpatient settings.
How/why do you feel the materials/artifacts included in your portfolio represent your
learning and development during this year?
The artifacts in my portfolio were completed by myself and when working with different student
groups. These artifacts represent the hard work and dedication that I have put into my second-
year didactic semesters. I am looking forward to applying my knowledge when I am out in the
clinic this upcoming fall and spring semesters. My artifacts show how I have grown during my
second year at Central Michigan University. I have branched out and started volunteering,
socializing, and interacting with more individuals with hopes to improve my people skills and
build stronger relationships.
What areas do you believe need further development and what are your plans for
facilitating that development?
I still need further development on my public speaking skills. I plan to facilitate further
development of my public speaking skills by practicing my speeches and presentations on small
groups of people. Then I plan to work on speaking in front of a larger group. I think preparation
is key and that I feel more confident as a speaker when I practice my presentation multiple times.
I am hoping to show improvement in this weakness by presenting during my Fall Clinical
starting in September 2019.