Melanie Rowson, SPT | 3rd Year DPT Student @ Wichita State University

Melanie Rowson, SPT

From being placed in unique clinical locations to having impressive involvement in her program, Melanie is finishing her program with a handful of great experiences. She has proven herself as a leader in her program, by being her class president, and outside of the classroom, through all the organizations she is involved with. Check out below why Melanie was nominated as a SPT Spotlight, and be sure to follow our Facebook page  for notifications when another Spotlight is featured! 
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“From the beginning of PT school, I have been involved in a recently developed program at our school called "GoBabyGo." This is a program that Physical Therapy students and Engineering students have teamed up to modify power wheel cars for kids with disabilities. Within this last year, I have been given the role as the PT Liaison to recruit new members into the program. It has been a great opportunity to get involved with hands-on experience with kids with disabilities as well as learning how to partner with engineering students to find ways to adapt the cars based on the needs of the child. Another program that I have been highly involved in throughout PT school, is an Adaptive Swim Class through our local YMCA. This program is for kids with disabilities, 18 and under, to learn basic swim skills or receive aquatic therapy. We have worked with kids with a wide variety of diagnosis such as Cerebral Palsy, Spina bifida, autism, down syndrome and athetoid CP. Both of these programs have made my love for the pediatric population grow immensely and have allowed me to get out of the classroom and gain hands on experience. I highly suggest anyone who has the opportunity to volunteer for programs like these, to take a break from studying and gain some hands on experience!

Being a native of Vancouver, BC Canada, the mountains and ocean hold a special place in my heart, which is not something that Kansas has to offer. I have had the opportunity to travel a little bit throughout my clinicals. My first 8 week summer rotation, I went to a small town just outside of Salt Lake City, UT. This summer, I completed my 10 week rotation in a small town in northern New Mexico called Farmington, NM. My fall 10 week clinical will be in a small town just outside of Denver, CO. This summer while in New Mexico, I have been given the opportunity to continue my passion of fitness and softball to help coach private softball lessons, run fitness training classes and private sessions, as well as help run a softball/baseball program for kids with special needs.

Although PT school alone is a very stressful time, I have found that taking time away from your books helps the mind not burn out. By volunteering with these programs, helping coach softball, travel, and do CrossFit daily, I have had a fantastic last few years. My advice for PT students is to step away from the classroom, get out and volunteer, do whatever you can to get hands on experience, and most importantly continue to do the things you love.” -Melanie Rowson, SPT