1st semester: Fall 2012
UOP definitely knows how to make you feel at home. We got 2nd year buddies who provided some mentoring if we needed. They surprised us with gifts, socials, and a hilarious anatomy video! For being away from home and family, UOP started to become my family away from home. The first semester was THE most difficult school experience I have ever encountered. The courses I took included Gross Anatomy, Clinical Kinesiology, Patient Care Skills, Examination and Evaluation...to name a few. I have never before taken 18 units and in this accelerated program, we would be taking 18 units each semester. The most difficult month was the month of October. We had about 2 exams every single week. Madhouse! I gave up plenty hours of sleep in order to stay up late and study, wake up early and study. I drank so much coffee I needed an IV line. I have never before pushed myself at this level before, and also, I never really had to before. But this was physical therapy school and I have worked so hard to get here! My hard work paid off as I had never earned better grades than I have this semester. Not to mention, I got voted to be one of the class representatives =).
My Anatomy group in Dr. Mansoor's Gross Anatomy class. In this course we learned about the entire body including the muscles, nerves, bones, blood supply and organs. For the first time ever, I dissected a cadaver.
The Class of 2014 in the Anatomy Lab
This is my 2nd year buddy, Sarah, who is originally from Nevada. This is her and I at my White Coat Ceremony.
In our Examination and Evaluation course during our first semester, one of the practical skills that we learned is how to check reflexes.
The class of 2014 at the completion of our 1st semester. It was a difficult one! In the month of October we had 2 exams every week. I don't know how I survived!
2nd Semester: Winter 2013
After the torture of 1st semester, 2nd semester felt like a walk in the park. For one thing we had shorter school days. Still taking 18 units as promised, I had Neuroanatomy, Therapeutic Exercise, Pathophysiology, Intro to research...to name a few. I was beginning to really understand my study habits and what methods worked for me. During this semester, it would be our last with the 2nd years. In March they were to leave campus for their clinical rotations. So! We threw them a party!
In February of 2013, the class of 2014 planned a themed event for the class of 2015 as they celebrated the finish of their didactic classes. The theme was ROARING TWENTIES!
Attended the 1st Annual Student Conclave at Samuel Merritt in Oakland, CA
3rd Semester: Summer 2013
School during the summer?! In May I started my 2 week clinicals at Starfish Therapies working in pediatrics. My clinical instructor, Rachel (from NYC), and I did early intervention and school-based PT. Although I volunteered at the Children's Hospital, it was a completely new experience. I can honestly say that this experience sparked an interested in pediatric physical therapy for me! After my 2 weeks I returned to campus for didactic courses. It was definitely difficult to sit through 4 hours of cardiopulm and gait analysis. Can a course be fun, interesting, and tortuous all at the same time? Classes were M-F 9-5. Maybe that's what was tortuous about it. Stockton was a scorching 100+ degree temperature everyday. Luckily we managed to cool off by going to Tina's pool after school ;-). Good times. The best part of this semester was my final 2 week clinical rotation in an Acute care setting in Kailua, Hawaii at Castle Medical Center. Fantastic experience! My clinical instructor, Cheryl, was an amazing mentor and this setting was completely foreign to me. We saw joint replacement patients and patients in the hospital ward. The hospital was beautiful too. and duh! I was in Hawaii for 2 weeks and my best friend and my husband joined me! Beach, drinks, sun, sea...it was the epitomy of business mixed with pleasure.
Cristina and I doing a special test for the hip during our Movement Analysis course.
In our 3rd semester (Summer 2013), we studied the mechanics of gait in Movement Analysis course. One of our activities was to paint the bottoms of our feet and walk on parchment paper and analyze our foot positions and stride length.
During the summer semester we completed two 2-week clinicals. My first clinical during May was at Starfish Therapies in the Bay Area. My CI, Rachel, and I drove to various school locations and homes around the bay area serving children ages 10mos-15 years of age. My second clinical was at Castle Medical Center in Kailua Hawaii. My CI, Cheryl, and I cared for joint-care patients in the Ho'Okipa unit as well as the neighboring units Paulama and Laulima.
4th semester: Fall 2013
I'm a 2nd year buddy! This is Janelle, she is my 1st year buddy originally from Alabama and in the Fall of 2013 I got the honor to cloak her with her white coat at the White Coat Ceremony.
From left to right: Special guest speaker Dr. Mary Massery, myself, Janelle, Alumni president Dr. Whitney Davis, and Pharmacy & Health Science Dean Oppenheimer
SLOW, GO, WHOA! This was the slogan of our Healthy Children After School program. We visited many schools throughout the San Joaquin County area and educated elementary schools students on the importance of nutrition, physical activity, and backpack safety. We played many games!
Angelica and I were student leaders who assisted Dr. Nesbit in the planning and organization of the Healthy Children After School program.
In our Advanced Clinical Problems course, Sogol and I partnered to care for a 28mos old boy who was diagnosed with Noonan syndrome. He had motor developmental delays in crawling, rolling, standing, cruising and walking. We completed his initial evaluation, plan of care and discharge for a total of 9 visits. We were happy to see ourselves grow in our skills and worked in great harmony together. Our favorite therapy toys to play with 'H' was the piggy bank and Rody Pony.
5th semester: Winter 2014
In our final didactic semester on campus, we found ourselves anxious and excited to take on clinicals starting in March. Many of us would move back home to be closer to friends and family. Many of us will move to new places to experience clinical life elsewhere. We found a 2nd family amongst each other. Only the people in our class had the memories, hardships, sacrifices, elations, and experiences that only we could understand.
Our official class photo
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