Timothy Turner, SPT | 3rd Year DPT Student @ University of Kansas Medical Center

 Timothy Turner is a high-level performer in the classroom and has classmates who believe he will push the PT profession forward within the clinic as well as advocating for the future of our profession. He excels in leadership positions such as being his class president and attending the federal advocacy forum. He will be a great asset to the PT field and will lead to make the profession even better! Check out the KPTA SSIG Facebook page  to view this Spotlight, and for notifications when additional Spotlights are featured!

"Like many physical therapy students/physical therapist assistant students, I was exposed to the field as a high school student when I sustained repeat shoulder injuries while playing football. This lead to a surgical procedure and a road of therapy that I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I originally had aspirations to become a history teacher and a coach, but discovered that physical therapy was a career where I could teach and coach (patients, other students, the general public), but in a different manner than in the traditional classroom. Short aside, I think all PT's and PTA's are teachers in the fact that they help people learn about their bodies and how to move them as efficiently as possible, and that is something I strive for as a clinician in training. 
 
While in college I completed my bachelors degree in Athletic Training, which exposed me to many opportunities. During this time, I had doubts about going to PT school, due to the rigor, the burden of student loans and other factors so I tried to explore as many opportunities with Athletic Training as I could. I was fortunate enough to intern for the Chicago Bears Football Club for two training camps, and what a fantastic experience that was! After finishing those two camp experiences, I knew I wanted more from a rehab and therapeutic exercise knowledge standpoint than I had in undergrad, so PT school was the route for me. 
 
Physical Therapy school is where I really hit my stride as a student and servant leader. I was elected class president and had the opportunity to understand the needs of 58 other student physical therapists. They have entrusted me to convey their requests to our faculty and vice versa. I have attended the Federal Advocacy Forum in Washington, D.C. as well as a couple of National Advocacy Dinners, both of which have been completely eye-opening for advocacy and how hard we must work as a profession to have our voice heard on Capitol Hill in Topeka and Washington. 
 
I plan to impact my community by becoming a private practice physical therapist. I currently work for a company in the Workers Compensation industry and have been inspired by the leadership there to go beyond the normal, day-to-day duties of a physical therapist. I have aspirations to open my own clinic some day, but there are many challenges associated with that type of venture. I would also like to serve in some type of leadership role in the APTA, whether that be a chief delegate for the KPTA Chapter, or a leader within a section, I think I can make a difference in more avenues than just my patients lives." - Timothy Turner, SPT