Hometown: Farley, Iowa
Undergraduate: University of Iowa, BS in Human Physiology
What brought you to physical therapy?
My path to physical therapy wasn’t a straight line. I started as a research assistant in a lab and later transitioned into working as a certified nursing assistant at UI Hospitals & Clinics. At first, I had reservations — especially around patient safety and how to move patients correctly. A physical therapist took the time to show me proper techniques and helped me understand how much confidence and reassurance PT can give patients as they prepare to go home. That experience really stuck with me.
I didn’t enter college with a set career goal, but I decided in high school to pursue biomedical science at Iowa. From there, things gradually fell into place. I worked in a lab as a freshman, became a CNA as a sophomore, worked as a rehab aide during my junior year, and applied to PT school at the beginning of my senior year.
Why did you choose Iowa?
I’m from Iowa and close to my family, so staying here felt natural. When I was accepted into Iowa’s PT program, I had an immediate gut feeling that this was where I needed to be. Iowa felt right — and once I got in, there was no question that I “had to go here.”
Who helped shape your time in the program?
The professors in the PT program were incredible. The relationships felt less like traditional faculty-student dynamics and more like true partnerships. Carol Vance stands out in particular — she created fun opportunities to connect and really strengthened relationships between students and faculty. Some of my favorite memories were interacting outside the classroom, like at trivia nights.
I also appreciated starting half-day clinicals right away in the fall semester. Being trusted early on encouraged me to try new things, trust myself as a PT student, and begin building real relationships with patients.
Our PT program has an emphasis on getting students involved in research. What was your research project?
I worked with Dr. Chimenti on research related to Achilles tendon injuries, specifically examining pain severity and symptom outcomes. My role focused on translating outcome measures into Spanish and exploring how translations can differ by language. We started with Spanish-speaking populations, with the goal of expanding to more international applications in the future.
The research is ongoing, but we’ve made strong progress — several translated versions are working well and have proven to be reliable and valid.
What are some of your favorite memories from PT school?
There are so many! PT Prom was always a highlight — I was on the Social Committee, so dressing up, dancing, and celebrating with classmates and professors was something I really loved. Intramural volleyball was another favorite. I tore my ACL prior to school and intramurals, but even that became part of the experience, especially with the friendly rivalry between upper- and lower-class students.
One of the best parts of PT school has been the people. Our cohort is incredibly close, about 50 students, and that sense of community is something I’ll always value.
Did going through PT school influence your own recovery?
Definitely. Going through physical therapy for my ACL injury while learning to become a physical therapist gave me a deeper perspective on patient care. Troy Bockenstedt was an excellent mentor and physical therapist during that time, and his guidance influenced how I approach treatment today.
What advice would you give students considering physical therapy?
Go in with an open mind. Being high-achieving doesn’t mean you need to be perfect — striving for 100% all the time isn’t realistic or necessary. Focus on learning the material, applying your skills, and growing along the way. Relax, trust the process, and put the work into understanding the material.
What’s next for you?
I’ve accepted a position at St. Luke’s in Cedar Rapids, working in inpatient acute care. I’m excited about the team and the setting. My previous experiences working in the hospital and ICU helped shape my interest in this type of care.