For many in the graduating class of the George Washington University (GW) School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS) Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program, their future plans include pursuing their passions and furthering their education. Having completed their three years of study, including a year amidst the pandemic, the DPT Class of 2021 have continued to persevere and are now embarking on exciting, new opportunities.
Rashi Anand, DPT ’21, plans to continue her involvement with GW as a resident in the Johns Hopkins University/GW orthopedic residency program. “I have wanted to pursue a residency ever since my 2nd year of the DPT program, and am so excited to have the opportunity to advance my education,” Anand shared. The 13-month program begins this fall. Anand will assist in instructing didactic coursework at GW, as well as continue to build experience as a practicing clinician in three different orthopedic settings. “I wish to gain opportunities to further develop my patient handling and time management skills” Anand states. She says the GW DPT program has given her a great foundation to build on this next step in her career.
Kaitlin Barnet, DPT’21, was accepted into the University of Florida Health Sports Physical Therapy Residency Program. Barnet credits the active feedback and support she received throughout her time at GW SMHS for helping to secure residency. “I have always had a special interest in sports medicine and want to further develop myself as a clinician in this specific field,” Barnet said. Throughout the residency program, Barnet will engage in one-on-one mentoring, provide advanced didactic education as a teaching assistant, and work with a wide variety of athletes from many different sports. “I am really looking forward to advancing myself as an autonomous practitioner and continuing to develop my clinical reasoning skills within the athletic sphere” Barnet added.
Others within the Class of 2021 are securing jobs in their desired field of interest as well. Sam Schroeder, DPT ’21, accepted a job at a sports clinic in Washington State. “I have always wanted to pursue a career working with athletes and I feel this job offers valuable experience in that population,” stated Schroeder. The clinic, he added, has an established mentorship program and community outreach opportunities that also attracted him to the position. “I believe this job allows me to blend my athletic training background as well as my physical therapy education in a direction that I would love to take my career,” Schroeder said. He is thankful for his time at GW SMHS and the self-reflection skills he’s gained, which have been crucial to his development as a practicing clinician and something he will continue to utilize throughout his future career.