My name is Joya Wood and I am currently a second-year physical therapy student at Western Michigan University (WMU) from Detroit, MI . In my program, I hold the position as the Finance Chair for my program's RSO, as well as the Student Class Ambassador for the Class of 2025. I am also a Grant Recipient at WMU, for the Y-mind program. Where I learn how to become a better healthcare provider for children with behavioral and mental health issues, as well as their caregivers. Representation is important because it can influence and give a sense of belonging, which is why I chose physical therapy. While watching a movie at 12 years old, I found out what a physical therapist was, and the character happened to be played by a black woman. While watching that movie, I saw that I could combine my love for sports and fitness into one job. From that day on, I decided I wanted to be like that character. As a child, I was told I should be a doctor like a physician, dentist, or lawyer but never a doctor of physical therapy. I want to be a model for other black children and expose them to one of many health-related professions that has an underrepresentation of minorities. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor data in 2020, 5% of practicing physical therapists are African American. There are many possible factors to explain why the number is so low. However, from my experience, it is because of a lack of representation and exposure to the career. Recently, I had a patient ask me and my manager about this profession. I love helping anyone I can but I feel different helping minorities get more exposure sooner than I did. I believe this is because I would like to see more diversity and inclusion in the field. After all, it will show the growth and progression of physical therapy. Every day, there is something that confirms my choice to pursue physical therapy as a career because of my job. Working at an outpatient facility, I interact with people from all backgrounds, ages, and injuries which I believe can be beneficial. Being a rehabilitation aide, I go home knowing that I have gained experience that will help me in the future, whether it be that I’ve learned what area-specific exercises target, watching form, and seeing how similar injuries are treated differently based on the patient. I frequently see people leave a completely different person when they are done compared to their first day. Of course, I see physical changes, but to see the mental changes some people go through makes me so passionate about this field.

I am a 26-year-old enrolled in the Western Michigan University Doctor of Physical Therapy program. I just started my second year. I was drawn to physical therapy because it allows me to help some overcome physical and mental challenges. No patient is the same although, their injuries might be, and that's what I love about this profession. It allows me to cater treatment plans and goals based on each individual. While watching a movie at 12 years old, I found out what a physical therapist was, and the character happened to be played by a black woman. While watching that movie, I saw that I could combine my love for sports and fitness into one job. From that day on, I decided I wanted to be like that character. As a child, I was told I should be a doctor like a physician, dentist, or lawyer but never a doctor of physical therapy. I want to be a model for other black children and expose them to one of many health-related professions that has an underrepresentation of minorities. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor data in 2020, 5% of practicing physical therapists are African American. There are many possible factors to explain why the number is so low. However, from my experience, it is because of a lack of representation and exposure to the career. Recently, I had a patient ask me and my manager about this profession. I love helping anyone I can but I feel different helping minorities get more exposure sooner than I did. I believe this is because I would like to see more diversity and inclusion in the field because it will show the growth and progression of physical therapy. Every day, there is something that confirms my choice to pursue physical therapy as a career because of my job. Working at an outpatient facility, I interact with people from all backgrounds, ages, and injuries which I believe can be beneficial. Being a rehabilitation aide, I go home knowing that I have gained experience that will help me in the future, whether it be that I’ve learned what area-specific exercises target, watching form, and seeing how similar injuries are treated differently based on the patient. I frequently see people leave a completely different person when they are done compared to their first day. Of course, I see physical changes, but to see the mental changes some people go through makes me so passionate about this field.

Although I am not pursuing a career in planning and conducting nutritional programs, nutrition is in the scope of practice for physical therapists. As a physical therapy student, knowing a patient's nutrition is crucial to treatment. It allows us to create interventions, educate, and share resources in hopes that they improve an individual's quality of life. I am applying because similar to registered dietitian nutritionists, we learn about most diseases/conditions and how they affect the body and overall well-being. A physical therapist can give suggestions and provide explanations but cannot create a nutritional regimen for a patient. However, physical therapists can refer the patient to a registered dietitian or registered dietitian nutritionist. A referral can be crucial because it advocates for patients to access resources they did not know could help them. The two professions have a interdisciplinary relationship that provides personalized global care. Often, we hear healthcare providers say that good nutritional choices help us live longer and provide the body with fuel. However, providers sometimes forget to meet patients where they are and explain it where they understand the impact it has on them directly. Nutrition has a robust impact on the prevention, progression, and regression of injuries/diseases/disorders. The quality of a product consumed impacts the entire body and its ability to recover over time. If a patient has a poor diet, smokes, or consumes alcohol/drugs constantly, the consumption takes resources away to detoxify those impurities. Good nutrition provides an environment for the body to repair and build/maintain functions independently. A patient with Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM) has to consider how everything impacts their condition, such as: what are their stress levels, diet, are they meet exercise recommendations, and whether they take their medication consistently. A patient with this condition may receive physical therapy for an unrelated concern, and the job of the therapists is to educate the patient on how the two things are related. Education comes by having a conversation and ensuring that the patient can summarize the information in their own words. It is also done by being supportive, showing research, and providing resources in hopes that this new information will inspire them to understand the importance of taking care of themself. If awarded, I would continue educating patients, caregivers, and families on the importance of taking care of their entire body. Explaining that the body is a system that works as one, and it has to be taken care of as such. While doing this, I can also advocate for patients to receive access to resources that can help provide additional services or approaches.