Opportunities at ATSU’s pro bono OT/PT clinic give Doctor of Physical Therapy students experience

Opportunities at ATSU's pro bono OT/PT clinic give Doctor of Physical Therapy students experience

A.T. Still University-Arizona School of Health Sciences (ATSU-ASHS) Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program student Rachelle Wilson, '27, was intrigued by the University's values of whole person healthcare and community involvement when she was seeking a program that fit her goals.

When she found out about ATSU's Center for Occupational and Physical Therapy, a pro bono clinic, she knew she'd found her place.

"As an applicant, I was looking for a school that would both encourage professional development and provide services to those in need," she said. "Through my first semester at ATSU, I have enjoyed treating at the pro bono clinic, and I applied to serve on the board, as well, to learn about clinic administration.

"I also chose ATSU because of how welcoming the faculty was. Through the interview process, the faculty was focused on getting to know you as an individual and this has carried over into my experience as a student, as well."

Wilson is from Tucson, Arizona, and has degrees in physiology and sports nutrition from the University of Arizona. In addition to her clinic work and board service, she works as an ATSU student ambassador.

"As a student ambassador, I have enjoyed learning more about ATSU as an institution and have enjoyed getting to know applicants," she said. "As I was applying to PT school, the admissions process at ATSU stood out to me significantly. The student ambassadors I interacted with during my application process were incredibly informative, positive, and welcoming. I understand that the admissions process can be stressful. I wanted to become a student ambassador to help make the admissions process a little less stressful, and to share how much I have enjoyed my experience at ATSU."

For Wilson, much of that enjoyment comes from the campus community.

"Within my cohort everyone has been extremely supportive and encouraging of each other through the tough curriculum," she said. "I also appreciate how much faculty cares about their students. We have an open door policy at ATSU, meaning you can stop in to a faculty member's office at any time. This reinforces the warm welcoming environment that I loved so much through my application process. Student Life has played a large role in encouraging interdisciplinary community building. Student Life has organized events like flag football, health expos, and even food trucks on campus."

Wilson isn't yet sure what specialty is right for her, but feels confident ATSU is preparing her for success, no matter what route she follows.

"ATSU starts clinical experiences in the first semester with an integrated clinical experience, and there are integrated clinical experiences sprinkled throughout the curriculum. I think the volume of clinical experiences that ATSU provides, as well as the vastly specialized faculty, will provide me with a plethora of specialty exposures to aid in my decision to specialize," she said.