Hyancinth Wallace
Why do you want to become a PT?
I wanted to become a physical therapist because of the vast application the profession provides. My particular interest is in obesity, childhood and adult. In some ways I think we, globally but particularly in the United States have lost touch with our bodies and as a physical therapist I can help people become reacquainted with their bodies. I want to promote education as well as health and well-being. Knowing what we put in our bodies and how our bodies use nutrients and substances is vital in decreasing the rate of obesity and the co-morbidities that accompany it.
Why did you choose UW-Madison?
I am from Ohio. I love my little village of a home town but I wanted to experience something a little different. Many friends had spoken highly of Madison. And professors and peers spoke highly of UW-Madison. I came to visit in November and decided this town and this school were made for me! People were running and biking! The hippie side of town resembled my entire village. When I came to the open-house the students were in good spirits about what the school had to offer. They kept praising the faculty as being extremely supportive and understanding and I had never heard such words uttered about professors and teachers. I was drawn by a sense of inclusivity, I suppose.
What aspect of PT school has surprised you the most?
I could say the rate at which we had to learn everything but I went to a school on a 10 week quarter system so I was used to back-to-back tests with disproportionate amounts of information to learn. But what really surprised me was how buoyant and enthusiastic everyone was upon arrival. I expected I would be overwhelmed and in constant competition with my classmates and the stress would be insufferable! But that wasn't the way it was. In fact, I became just as enthusiastic about the human body as a small child is about their new favorite toy they are going to share on Show-and-Tell Tuesdays!
What is the most challenging aspect of PT school?
I would probably say the transition from a small village to a city with buses! I felt homesick and lonely and that distracted me from school work but after a week or two it was cake!
What is the best part of PT school?
Besides the first day PT 501 Applications of Anatomy? I would say the people: students, staff, faculty, even bus drivers! I think people in Wisconsin are a lot like Canadians (I LOVE CANADA - lived there for 4 years)! Nice, polite, funny and enjoy the outdoors! Within the program, everyone seems to have a great sense of humor about the human body and really anything! Studying used to be a obligation that I loathed! I mean loathed! But studying now is like a fountain of jokes to make about the body and that makes it easier to learn and remember everything like how your flexor digitorum profundus and flexor digitorum superficialis are related! Good times! Good times!
Joe Zhang
Why do you want to become a PT?
I really enjoy the holistic approach to care and that we take the time to help patients understand and really develop a rapport. Through this relationship we can put in the effort to help prevent the same problems from arising again and I think many aspects of this approach to care are unique to PT.
Why did you choose UW-Madison?
I chose UW-Madison because we have a world renowned staff who are always adapting to changes in the field, the program is research based, the city is friendly, and in researching DPT programs, I found it really is the best overall program that I looked into.
What aspect of PT school has surprised you the most?
I didn't expect any part of the curriculum to be based on things like cultural competence, gender issues, dealing with loss and other topics in that realm understanding patient background and patient comfort. I was a little resistive to putting effort into these topics at first but, I find that if you can really understand where they are coming from, the treatment has much greater beneficial effect.
What is the most challenging aspect of PT school?
For me the most challenging aspect is the academics. They take a lot of time but they are also a lot of fun and in the end the quality of the academics are really why I am here.
What is the best part of PT school?
The camaraderie. The program is designed so that there's no competition between students as there really is no reason for there to be any. Everyone in my cohort is extremely supportive. We hang out together, share notes, study together, laugh and cry together; it really is like a family
What are your plans after graduation?
I'm thinking about being a traveling PT to explore different places to live and different companies to work for; I may also go for a residency program. Graduation still seems so far off so I'm not making any concrete decisions yet.
What do you like to do in your free time?
In my free time I play soccer, practice martial arts, bike, run, cook, and try new restaurants in town. There's lots of good eats in Madison and always a new experience to be had.
Mick Murphy
Why do you want to become a PT?
I want to become a PT because it is an exciting dynamic career where you get to meet and help new people almost every day.
Why did you choose UW-Madison?
I love Wisconsin and UW was a great fit for my lifestyle. Plus it is one of the oldest programs in the country and I heard tons of great things about the program while researching different programs.
What aspect of PT school has surprised you the most?
How down to earth and willing to help all of the professors are.
What is the most challenging aspect of PT school?
The time commitment.
What is the best part of PT school?
All of the fun I get to have hanging out with great people both in class and outside of class.
What are your plans after graduation?
I plan to do an orthopedic physical therapy residency or work in a rural health setting.
What do you like to do in your free time?
Study. Just kidding, I like to hunt, fish, play various sports, and pretty much anything else outside.
David Lippi
Why do you want to become a PT?
I want to be part of the health care field. I’ve had quite a bit of personal experience with physical therapy. I’ve gone to PT, my mom has, and when I was a pole vault coach my athletes did too.
Why did you choose UW-Madison?
I went to undergrad here and loved the city. The program has done a great job putting together a curriculum and staff that makes this a great place to study. Instate tuition is tempting too!
What aspect of PT school has surprised you the most?
The depth of medical knowledge we learn. PTs have direct access in most states, and so we need to learn how to screen for general medical issues as physicians do.
What is the most challenging aspect of PT school?
The amount of preparation you need for every exam and the speed we move through the material.
What is the best part of PT school?
Can I say everything? In all honesty, it’s a blast. The teachers are great and my classmates are awesome to be around (which is good because you’ll be around them a lot!). Even the challenging material we learn is so interesting that its...dare I say...fun to learn.
What are your plans after graduation?
I know we have a great organization in Wisconsin lobbying for the PT profession, and so I could see myself staying here and looking for a job in outpatient orthopedics. Eventually I would like to teach as well too.
What do you like to do in your free time?
Lookup "fail" on YouTube to see my future patients in action.
Jen Werie
Why do you want to become a PT?
Because most of our lives are spent working, I wanted to choose a career that I could find fulfillment by making a difference each and every day. My talents of compassion and creativeness coupled with my passion for the human body and exercise make physical therapy a fitting career choice. As a physical therapist, I will be able to live each day fulfilling multiple roles: motivator, critical thinker, advocate, coach, counselor, and friend.
Why did you choose UW-Madison?
I spent my undergraduate years here at UW-Madison and fell in love with the campus and city as a whole. Upon graduating, I wasn't ready to go to a different school or stop being a Badger! Plus, I had heard so many great things about the PT program, specifically, that the faculty was one-of-a-kind.
What aspect of PT school has surprised you the most?
Actually, what surprised me the most was just how quickly my PT class became a family. I didn't expect to be surrounded every day by such fun-loving, intelligent, caring, and genuine people. I quickly realized that people who decide to become physical therapists are really unique and special.
What is the most challenging aspect of PT school?
Learning that instead of comparing myself to my classmates, I needed to set my own expectations and goals. We learn and work so closely with each other over the course of two years, so it's natural to feed off your environment. I learned quickly the importance of keeping in mind the fact that each person has their own unique talents and strengths.
What is the best part of PT school?
Can I say two things here? 1. The FACULTY! It has been such a privilege to be taught and mentored by such accomplished and brilliant, yet fun, approachable and dedicated faculty. 2. My CLASSMATES! Not only do they make each and every day that much more enjoyable, but I have learned so much from their individual experiences and the memories that we've made together.
What are your plans after graduation?
I am hoping to go into traveling physical therapy. It would allow me to work in a variety of settings and to experience many parts of the country. One of my life motto’s has always been "Variety is the spice of life!" With an open mind, flexible attitude, and adaptable schedule, I think this type of position is a perfect suit for me.
What do you like to do in your free time?
Everything and anything! But amongst the top choices would be dancing, going to UW football games, karaoke, YouTube video watching, working out, going to thrift stores, international travel, and camping/canoeing/hiking. I especially love doing these activities with my closest friends and family!