As a lifelong resident of Detroit, Michigan, I have witnessed firsthand the challenges many face regarding healthcare literacy and access. Despite being a large city, it's not uncommon for residents to travel over 30 minutes just to receive specialized care—particularly in areas like pelvic health. This gap in accessible, timely healthcare fuels my passion and purpose. As a future physical therapist, I am committed to upholding the core values of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and using my education to serve both my local and global communities. With an aging population and rising healthcare costs, disparities in access and understanding of healthcare are becoming even more pressing. My program has emphasized the importance of recognizing social determinants of health, and I take this responsibility seriously. I envision using my skills to both promote the physical therapy profession and create inclusive, supportive spaces where individuals feel seen and cared for. I dream of organizing monthly pro bono events to provide physical therapy services to underserved populations, particularly those with limited healthcare literacy. Whether it's through community workshops, outreach programs, or simple one-on-one education, I aim to empower individuals with knowledge and resources to improve their quality of life. By combining compassionate care with community action, I hope to contribute to a more equitable and informed healthcare system—starting in Detroit, and extending wherever I’m able to make a difference. I have struggled significantly with my mental health over the course of my life with depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. But with the support of my village, mental health providers, and physical activity I am still here today. My challenges have not gone away but I have learned lifelong skills that allow me to continue envisioning my future. I am so passionate about physical therapy, because it is profession where I have the opportunity to help others overcome physical and mental challenges that may follow. Being able to see someone progress overtime is the most fulfilling feeling I have every experienced. With <4% of physical therapists being black, I plan to create a safe space for patients and future generations of therapists that look like me. My experiences as a rehab aide and student, have shown just how crucial it is to be in this profession and advocate for those that feel like they have no voice. With you assistance, I would love to continue educating the world on the profession on PT and how it has a positive impact on patients physically and mentally. As a future PT, you all would be contributing to not only my future but my future patients and students that look like me.

I am currently a second-year physical therapy student. Majoring in the health sciences has been a struggle for me since the beginning, and it was because I was a young black woman. During my time as an undergrad, I often contemplated leaving my major because my counterparts, especially males, ignored me. I would approach them to ask a question for clarification on our lab assignments and after receiving no verbal response but watching them respond to others I learned I had to figure things out on my own. It often took me a little bit longer to complete assignments and lab until I became comfortable with the material and assignments. Since my freshmen year, I typically kept my head down around my classmates unless they reached out or I asked the professor. This is because I had never felt so small in a space I knew I belonged in. I would not give anyone else the opportunity to make me feel that way again. Less than 5% of practicing physical therapists in America are of black/African American descent and the number has not changed much over the last 30 years. As a black woman, entering this profession has truly been a challenge because I have to work 2x as hard as most of my counterparts to prove that I belong. When I perform poorly on an exam, I receive questions from faculty asking if I truly know my anatomy or if I need to decelerate; my counterparts are asked about their mental health and stressors. I realize and understand this is not fair but it is something that I have to endure to accomplish my goals and make space for others that look or come from similar backgrounds as me. My college experiences, with struggling to feel good enough and welcome have led to increased anxiety and depression. I am working on creating a space for women especially black women to find community in spaces that were not designed or frequently occupied by us. My goal is to create a scholarship much like this one for black women in the health sciences to fund their education and find community. If I were to win this scholarship it would truly mean the world to me. You all would decrease my financial stress and contribute to my dream of being a physical therapist who is trying to diversify this profession. Thank you so much for creating this scholarship and the opportunity to positively impact students.

I have always heard you are so spoiled; it must be nice to be the only child. People make that comment mostly because they are thinking about worldly things. However, many overlook the loneliness and confusion of being the only child. My upbringing was interesting because my parents had two different approaches when it came to parenting. My mom took the gentle and firm route, whereas my father went toward fear. Growing up in a household with such different parenting styles made a huge impact on the person that I have grown up to be. I am a mommy's girl but I have always desired a similar relationship with my father. However, up until the age of 17, I was deadly afraid of my father. The man that the outside world knew was not the same man that I knew. I learned what his footsteps sounded like so that I could avoid him at all costs in our home. Why? He would often wake me out of my sleep by yelling, no matter the time of day or night. He would thump me, in my head whenever I did not move fast enough for him. He would make this face, where his entire face and eyes became bloodshot red and it would send my body into paralysis. I received whoopings that would proceed until I lost control of my bladder; I would have visible belt markings that hurt so much I could not sit down. One of the times, I received a whooping like that I was home alone because I was sick. My dad called to check in, but I did not answer the phone because he had recently changed his number and I did not have it memorized yet. He came home yelling at me and whooped me until I screamed out on the floor from pain because he was upset that I did not answer the phone. I could not understand why he became so angry even though I explained myself. Around the age of 8, I told I would call the police on him and he told me it wouldn't work because he was the police. He said it was not a smart idea because," your mom won't be able to provide for you by herself." So, I never said anything because I did not want my mom upset that I put her in a hard position. Although I have always lived with both parents, my home did not know what the trauma that I experienced until I went to college. All the physical and psychological abuse, happened when my mom was at work or in her room. For so many years, I felt alone in this world. I was this bubbly person to the outside world but inside I was scared and just praying that one day someone would see that I was hurting. I have always struggled with my mental health but when I went off to college it became worse. After, all those years of praying to get out of my house, I still was not happy. I decided to start going to therapy again and share the details I had been so afraid to share before. After being diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder, PTSD, and anxiety I thought wow this man messed me up. When I had my first suicidal thought, I knew something had to change. I knew that man had failed me so many times before so I turned to God. My relationship is still going but it gives me purpose and understanding. It has been a long journey, and at the age of 26, I finally starting to heal. I have come to understand, that forgiveness is truly for yourself and it happens on my terms! This is everyone's first time experiencing life, while I do not excuse the treatment that I received from my father, I am starting to make peace with it. I owe it to my childhood, current, and future self. My experiences have shaped me into the woman I am today and I am eternally grateful. I can share my story and help others. I am currently a physical therapy student passionate about helping people become the best version of themselves mentally and physically. I hope to one day open a clinic with my mother to provide mental, social, and physical assistance to the black community.

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 have an underrepresentation of minorities. According to the data collected by the APTA  in 2021/2022, 4.22% 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. My ultimate goal is to become a knowledgeable and understanding provider who creates a safe space for everyone. While also being a positive role model and advocate for people who look like me or come from similar backgrounds to learn about this profession. On this journey of becoming a physical therapist, I have struggled significantly with financial burdens and my mental health. Through my adversities, I showed resiliency, tenacity, and perseverance that has helped me continue to pursue the profession of physical therapy. Wanting to help others learn from my experiences, I have grown a passion for mental health and trying to incorporate it into every interaction I have. Physical disabilities, conditions, and injuries can have a detrimental impact on people’s lives and mental status. As, a future provider my goal is to support individuals as they navigate through possible life-changing challenges. This will be done by having compassion, empathy, being an advocate, and providing patient-specific interventions to help them have a positive PT experience. I plan on demonstrating a life-long commitment to learning by practicing self-reflection and pouring into students entering the profession. By understanding, who I am, what my purpose is, and how I plan on achieving my goals I believe that I will always seek more knowledge. I would like to provide all patients that I interact with the best opportunity to achieve their goals and that is done by keeping up with research and clinically proven interventions. Pouring into the future physical therapist will also allow me to learn. This profession is changing every day and by the time I practice new techniques and theories will be created that I can pick up from up-and-coming students. While also learning what they may need from already practicing clinicians. Receiving this scholarship would be incredibly helpful in helping me pursue my future endeavors. At this time, I do not have a consistent income that does not impact my demanding course load. While my family and friends provide amazing support, they are not able to provide much financial assistance. Obtaining this scholarship would allow me to focus more on my academics, mental health, and allow me to spend more time volunteering. If I were to receive this scholarship it would play a major role in my success within my program, encouraging me to become an amazing provided and person. Thank you for this opportunity and your consideration.

I have always heard you are so spoiled; it must be nice to be the only child. People make that comment mostly because they are thinking about worldly things. However, many overlook the loneliness and confusion of being the only child. My upbringing was interesting because my parents had two different approaches when it came to parenting. My mom took the gentle and firm route, whereas my father went toward fear. Growing up in a household with such different parenting styles made a huge impact on the person that I have grown up to be. I am a mommy's girl but I have always desired a similar relationship with my father. However, up until the age of 17, I was deadly afraid of my father. The man that the outside world knew was not the same man that I knew. I learned what his footsteps sounded like so that I could avoid him at all costs in our home. Why? He would often wake me out of my sleep by yelling, no matter the time of day or night. He would thump me, in my head whenever I did not move fast enough for him. He would make this face, where his entire face and eyes became bloodshot red and it would send my body into paralysis. I received whoopings that would proceed until I lost control of my bladder; I would have visible belt markings that hurt so much I could not sit down. One of the times, I received a whooping like that I was home alone because I was sick. My dad called to check in, but I did not answer the phone because he had recently changed his number and I did not have it memorized yet. He came home yelling at me and whooped me until I screamed out on the floor from pain because he was upset that I did not answer the phone. I could not understand why he became so angry even though I explained myself. Around the age of 8, I told I would call the police on him and he told me it wouldn't work because he was the police. He said it was not a smart idea because," your mom won't be able to provide for you by herself." So, I never said anything because I did not want my mom upset that I put her in a hard position. Although I have always lived with both parents, my home did not know what the trauma that I experienced until I went to college. All the physical and psychological abuse, happened when my mom was at work or in her room. For so many years, I felt alone in this world. I was this bubbly person to the outside world but inside I was scared and just praying that one day someone would see that I was hurting. I have always struggled with my mental health but when I went off to college it became worse. After, all those years of praying to get out of my house, I still was not happy. I decided to start going to therapy again and share the details I had been so afraid to share before. After being diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder, PTSD, and anxiety I thought wow this man messed me up. When I had my first suicidal thought, I knew something had to change. I knew that man had failed me so many times before so I turned to God. My relationship is still going but it gives me purpose and understanding. It has been a long journey, and at the age of 26, I finally starting to heal. I have come to understand, that forgiveness is truly for yourself and it happens on my terms! This is everyone's first time experiencing life, while I do not excuse the treatment that I received from my father, I am starting to make peace with it. I owe it to my childhood, current, and future self. My experiences have shaped me into the woman that I am today and I am eternally grateful. I can share my story and help others. I am currently a physical therapy student with a passion for helping people become the best version of themselves mentally and physically. I hope to one day open a clinic with my mother, where we can provide mental, social, and physical assistance to the black community.

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 programs 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.

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.