JLC is every woman
YOUR ERGONOMIC HOME OFFICE FROM DEIDRA, PHYSICAL THERAPIST by Kelsey Barker
Q: Tell me about you and your physical therapy (PT) training.
Q: What was the Junior League transfer process like for you?
A: When I graduated from PT school at UNC Chapel Hill, I started my career as a generalist in outpatient clinics in my hometown of Fayetteville. As it’s a military town, I served a lot of active duty service members and retired veterans, as well as the general population including student athletes and office workers. I found that I really had a passion for sports physical therapy, so I decided to attend a specialty program in Greenville, SC, where I had the opportunity to work alongside a number of practices with all kinds of athletes. After the program, my fiancé and I decided to move to Charlotte to be near family while we plan our wedding - and, of course, for its array of sports teams.
A: It can be tough to feel settled in a new place for a while, but even before my Junior League of Charlotte semester began, the Transfer process was very smooth. Everyone I worked with was super communicative and clear about my upcoming responsibilities. I can already tell the JLC is doing great things in the community, and I’m looking forward to being fully involved!
Q: How has the Junior League influenced your professional development as a leader in physical therapy and the larger community? A: I can give the Junior League a lot of credit in my position as a young leader. Almost immediately after my Provisional year in Fayetteville, I became a committee chair because someone saw something in me that I wouldn’t have recognized in myself. It was a great opportunity to step into a leadership role early, and it gave me the confidence to contribute to my professional community as well.
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Being surrounded by other leaders in the League and my profession has opened my eyes to the importance of mentorship. In fact, my Transfer advisor, Lindsey Benefield, led the JLC Entrepreneurs social group and provided me with some excellent resources to get me started as I establish my physical therapy practice. Q: What’s something a lot of people don’t know about physical therapy? A: The great thing about physical therapy is that it can help a person’s pain or discomfort without the use of prescription medication. It’s also such a diverse field, and you can work in so many settings: rehab, hospitals, even corporate settings.
