
Hobbies and interests
Reading
Reading
Fantasy
I read books daily
Malak Abdein
725
Bold Points1x
Finalist1x
Winner
Malak Abdein
725
Bold Points1x
Finalist1x
WinnerBio
My name is Malak Abdein, and I am a dedicated future Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) with a passion for women’s health and pelvic floor rehabilitation. My life goal is to bridge healthcare disparities by providing compassionate, evidence-based care to underserved women, particularly those facing cultural stigmas or financial barriers. I aim to establish a clinical practice that integrates physical therapy into routine postpartum care and collaborate with community organizations to expand access to vital services.
What drives me most is the power of patient-centered care. Whether as a PT tech, dental assistant, or virtual tutor, I’ve seen how empathy, curiosity, and humor can transform lives. My multicultural background and fluency in Arabic fuel my commitment to making healthcare education accessible to diverse communities.
I am a strong scholarship candidate because my journey reflects resilience, innovation, and a relentless focus on service. From co-founding a small business to researching antibiotic resistance, I’ve learned to challenge norms and create solutions. This scholarship will empower me to advance my education, advocate for policy changes, and mentor future professionals—ensuring physical therapy becomes a right, not a privilege. My measure of success? The lives I uplift, one patient at a time.
Education
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)Majors:
- Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions, General
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Bachelor's degree programMajors:
- Sociology
Wake Technical Community College
Associate's degree programMajors:
- Biological and Physical Sciences
Apex Friendship High
High SchoolMiscellaneous
Desired degree level:
Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)
Graduate schools of interest:
Transfer schools of interest:
Majors of interest:
- Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions, General
Career
Dream career field:
Physical Therapy
Dream career goals:
Physical Therapist Technician
Breakthrough Physical Therapy2024 – 20251 year
Sports
Figure Skating
Club2012 – Present13 years
Research
Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other
Wake Technical Community College — Intern2020 – 2021
Arts
School
Photography2015 – 2019
Public services
Volunteering
Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina — Volunteer food sorter and packager2019 – 2025
DEI&B Bridging the Gap Scholarship
WinnerAs a multilingual, culturally diverse woman with roots in both the Middle East and the United States, I identify as a member of an underrepresented group in the healthcare field, particularly in physical therapy. Growing up navigating multiple cultures and languages (fluent in Arabic and English) I’ve witnessed firsthand the barriers marginalized communities face in accessing healthcare, especially in areas like women’s health, where cultural stigmas often silence critical conversations. My unique background equips me with the perspective and skills to bridge gaps in the physical therapy profession, ensuring care is not only accessible but also culturally resonant for underserved populations.
My identity as an Arab-American woman informs my passion for specializing in pelvic floor and women’s health physical therapy, a field where cultural taboos frequently prevent women from seeking care. During my time as a physical therapy technician, I encountered postpartum patients who viewed conditions like urinary incontinence as inevitable, unaware of treatment options due to linguistic or cultural barriers. My ability to communicate in Arabic and understand cultural nuances positions me to educate and empower women who might otherwise suffer in silence. For example, I envision creating multilingual resources and community workshops to normalize discussions about pelvic health, particularly for immigrant women. By leveraging my language skills and cross-cultural competence, I can help dismantle the shame surrounding these topics and advocate for inclusive care models that prioritize patient comfort and dignity.
Beyond language, my sociological training and volunteer experiences have deepened my awareness of systemic inequities in healthcare. At free clinics serving uninsured patients, I saw how financial constraints limited access to rehabilitation services, reinforcing my commitment to policy advocacy. As a future physical therapist, I aim to collaborate with nonprofits and legislators to expand insurance coverage for pelvic floor therapy, challenging its misclassification as “non-essential.” My background fuels my determination to address disparities not just clinically but also structurally, ensuring marginalized voices are represented in healthcare policy discussions.
My perspective also enriches the physical therapy workforce by fostering innovation in patient education and mentorship. As a virtual tutor, I honed the ability to break down complex concepts for diverse learners which is a skill I’ll apply to develop telehealth tools, such as culturally tailored exercise videos for remote communities. Additionally, my journey as a first-generation college graduate and woman of color in STEM inspires me to mentor aspiring DPT students from similar backgrounds. Representation matters, and by sharing my story, I hope to encourage others in underrepresented groups to pursue careers in physical therapy, diversifying the profession and strengthening its capacity for empathy and inclusivity.
In a profession rooted in movement and healing, my unique traits being cultural agility, advocacy, and a patient-centered approach align perfectly with the needs of an evolving healthcare landscape. I am not just a future clinician; I am a bridge between communities and care, a voice for the unheard, and a catalyst for equitable change. By embracing my identity as a member of an underrepresented group, I can contribute to a physical therapy workforce that reflects the diversity of the patients it serves, ensuring no one is left behind on the path to recovery and empowerment.