Nick Noblitt: Maximizing His Potential To Becoming The Best Physical Therapist

By: Nick Noblitt, PT, DPT, ATC

I completed my Physical Therapy school journey in May 2023, armed with a white coat and a mountain of uncertainty about how to translate my knowledge into effective patient care. Despite acing my tests, excelling in the NPTE, and gaining practical experience under the guidance of a clinical instructor, the challenge remained: how could I apply this wealth of knowledge to the individual sitting across from me? More pressing still, how could I do it with excellence, genuinely making a positive difference in people's lives?

I recognized my potential to be an outstanding Physical Therapist, but I knew I needed further guidance to fully realize that potential. That's when I discovered the SLU-SSM Health Orthopedic Residency program. Since joining, I've actively engaged in the Entry Level PT program at SLU as an educator and contributed my skills to the ProBono clinic as a facilitator of care. These experiences have provided invaluable learning opportunities, nurturing my growth as an educator.  

Through this program, I've had the privilege of weekly one-on-one mentoring sessions with seasoned PTs who are experts in their field. These mentors have challenged my assumptions and biases, helping me identify my blind spots in patient care. They've introduced me to concepts and skills that I can immediately apply during my sessions, accelerating my learning process and boosting my confidence in applying advanced techniques for the first time. 

One of the most impactful aspects of my residency journey has been the weekly didactic sessions. These meetings delve into every facet of being a physical therapist, from the reasoning behind our treatment approaches to the nuances of our documentation methods. These discussions have deepened my understanding of my profession, equipping me with a comprehensive knowledge base. 

Reflecting on my experiences in this residency program, I am confident in my decision to tread this less conventional path. Looking ahead, my goals are ambitious; I aspire to serve as a physical therapist in the United States Air Force, providing care to those who selflessly serve our nation. To achieve this goal, I am committed to becoming the best version of my professional self. I believe there's no better way to accomplish this than through the transformative experiences offered by this residency program. 

Michelle Byrd Discusses Her Experience Being a Physical Therapist While Undergoing Her Orthopedic Residency Training

By: Michelle Byrd, PT, DPT

    Working as a Physical Therapist offers a unique opportunity to treat a variety of patients throughout the lifespan as well as a variety of diagnoses, with each patient presenting in a unique way with unique impairments and limitations. The field of physical therapy is an ever-changing, growing profession with new research, treatment techniques, and improvement to clinical practice guidelines. Keeping up with these consistent changes is important for PT's to stay up to date on the latest treatments to improve patient outcomes, and allow for patients to have a quicker recovery and return to their previous level of function.  

    Since the beginning of the SLU-SSM Health Physical Therapy Orthopedic Residency, I have already been able to improve my patient treatments and evaluation skills, as well as building on my hands-on skills to maximize my treatments to improve patient outcomes. There are several aspects of the residency experience that have impacted me, including serving as an adjunct faculty member with students in their first professional year of Physical Therapy school, mentorship opportunities in the clinic each week, and didactic classes for case-based discussion and working on manual techniques. Each of these experiences focuses on different aspects of patient care, but together allow for professional growth within the field that will maximize the patient experience in the clinic.  

    Working as a physical therapist over the last year and a half, and recently being part of the orthopedic residency, has motivated me to continue improving and growing in the profession. I am looking forward to the experiences still to come that will only continue to challenge me to grow and continue improving in my knowledge and skillset.