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Emily Spencer

General information

Hobbies & Interests

  • Physical Therapy
  • Exercise Science
  • Spending Time With Friends and Family
  • Soccer
  • Exercise And Fitness
  • Photography and Photo Editing
  • Music
  • Beach
  • Hiking And Backpacking
  • Ukulele
  • Travel And Tourism
  • Biology
  • Anatomy
  • Learning
  • Rock Climbing
  • Reading

Reading

  • Academic
  • Health
  • Self-Help
  • Spirituality

I read books multiple times a week.

Bio

Hi! My name is Emily, and I am so grateful to be stepping into my third year as a Doctor of Physical Therapy student at the University of Florida in the class of 2025. I am so proud to be a first generation college student and am currently on my way to becoming the first doctor in my family. I chose to pursue a Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree because of my passion for health sciences, my love for building meaningful relationships, and my devotion to serving others. Growing up with an older brother with autism, I witnessed firsthand the transformative power of therapy, which inspired me to seek a career where I could make a similar impact on others. Within my career, I hope to specialize in vestibular rehabilitation and assist individuals in achieving maximum functionality. Currently, I am highly considering settings including inpatient rehabilitation or outpatient VA physical therapy. As a physical therapist, my primary goal will always be to promote positive transformation in my patients and to guide them to their greatest potential.

Education

University of Florida

Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)

2022 – 2025

Majors:
  • Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other

Nova Southeastern University

Bachelor's degree program

2018 – 2021

Majors:
  • Biology, General
Minors:
  • Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other

Santa Fe College

Associate's degree program

2016 – 2018

Majors:
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other

Santa Fe High School

High School

2014 – 2018

Miscellaneous

Desired degree level:
Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)
Graduate schools of interest:
University of Florida
Majors of interest:
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other, Human Biology, Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
Medical school interest:
No

Career

  • Tour guide and pre-PT mentor for incoming and prospective students

    Hospitality · UF Physical Therapy Welcome Committee

    Jan 2022 – Jan 2024

  • Tutor for Summer SOAR Program

    Education · Partnership for Strong Families

    Jan 2022 – Jan 2022

  • Math Tutor

    Education · Tots2Teens

    Jan 2018 – Jan 2019

  • Undergraduate Intern - Outpatient Physical Therapy

    Physical Therapy · Kinetix Physical Therapy

    Jan 2021 – Jan 2021

  • Technician Volunteer - Outpatient Physical Therapy

    Physical Therapy · The Orthopaedic Institute

    Jan 2020 – Jan 2020

  • Student Volunteer - Elementary Physical Therapy

    Physical Therapy · High Springs Community School

    Jan 2021 – Jan 2021

  • Pharmacy Technician

    Pharmaceuticals · Publix Pharmacy

    Jan 2019 – Present

  • Student Volunteer - Pediatric Physical Therapy

    Pediatric Physical Therapy · Fundamental Therapy Solutions

    Jan 2021 – Jan 2021

Miscellaneous

Dream career field:
Physical Therapy
Dream career goals:
Geriatric Physical Therapist
Has nursing license:
No

Future Interests

  • Advocacy
  • Volunteering
  • Philanthropy
  • Entrepreneurship
Student Life Photography Scholarship
William M. DeSantis Sr. Scholarship
"Even if we don't have the power to choose where we come from, we can still choose where we go from there." - Charlie, The Perks of Being a Wallflower For those of you who are not familiar with The Perks of Being a Wallflower, it tells the story of an introverted high school student who hopes to become a writer yet suffers from past family abuse. The above quote is stated by the main character, Charlie, who realizes that despite his past, he still has the power to decide his future. This lesson is so important to my life as well as for anyone who has been or is going through unfortunate circumstances. In the face of adversity, it is so comforting to know we have the ability to choose how we handle the situation and view life moving forward. From life experience, I have learned that we cannot control our past or where we came from, but we certainly can persevere to create a better future for ourselves. When I was 15 years old, my father experienced his first manic episode and was later diagnosed with bipolar I disorder. At the time of his first episode, my family and I had no idea how to handle the situation, and after six months we decided he was so detrimentally abusive that we left our own home. Since then, life has looked a lot different from what we had envisioned for our future. My father has had three severe extended episodes of mania, and in between he has suffered severe extended depressions. We have learned to take life day by day and also know that my father's mental illness will be a lifelong challenge. Realizing this honestly leaves me feeling hopeless at times; however, it is during those low moments when I cling to my faith and remind myself that I still have power over my future. Charlie's quote has given me hope and taught me to not be quick to judge others. Sometimes people have the ability to control their past, but oftentimes a person’s past is a product of unfavorable circumstances. Prior to my father’s diagnosis, I always viewed him as the strong foundation that held our family together. To watch that foundation collapse at such a pivotal period in my life has been the hardest thing, and encountering judgment from others has only made the situation more difficult. Always remember to show kindness to others and let them know that they matter; you never know what a person is really going through. It gives me great reassurance knowing that I have the power to control my future for both myself and the betterment of my family’s future. Supporting a family member with a mental disorder has most definitely pushed me to assume a stronger role in my family's life. It is almost as if I have adopted a position to rebuild that foundation for the health of my family. As a first generation graduate student aspiring to be a physical therapist, my path has certainly been challenging and many times I have figured things out on my own. Whenever I feel discouraged, however, I remind myself of Charlie’s promising statement. Knowing what I have been through and staying hopeful for the future gives me the strength to charge forward in pursuit of my goals.
Emily Spencer Student Profile | Bold.org