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Brad Gant

Physical Therapist Assistant

Employer: St. Mary's Medical Center

Major: Exercise Science, Physical Therapy Assistant

Minor:

Graduation Year: 2005

Other Education:

Geographic Region: Evansville, Indiana

Biography

I am currently working at St. Mary's Hospital in Evansville as an outpatient Physical Therapist Assistant. I graduated from UE in 2005 with a BS in Sports Medicine (now Exercise Science) and an Assoc. Degree in Physical Therapist Assistant. I really enjoy my career and am planning to return to school for a Master's in Health Administration.
I have also been serving as a Senior Trustee for almost three years at the University. While at UE I was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha where I served as President. This experience helped me become a leader then, and now in my career. I also learned a lot about leading as an Orientation Leader. UE has a ton of great opportunities to help teach you lessons that are invaluable later in life. You always hear it, but getting involved and participating in organizations is very important. My degrees forced me to have internships/clinicals where I learned how to use what I studied in class out in the real world. If your major does not require an internship, completing one early on in your career at UE is one of the most helpful things you can do. It's a perfect time to test and see if you really will enjoy what you are learning about in college, and to see how you use what you are learning in school.

I enjoy having students shadow me in the clinic if you are ever interested.

What I love about my job

Helping return the highest amount of function to a person's life. I also enjoy working with all ages, from four to ninety-four.

My advice to people considering this field

If you are considering a career as a physical therapist assistant, you must be prepared to think and be challenged. The word "assistant" makes some students think they will be instructed on what to do. In fact, you must be self-sufficient and be willing to figure out what is wrong with an individual and be confident that you will choose the best ways to correct the problem(s). It is also helpful to shadow therapists in various settings such as inpatient (hospital), rehab (just out of the hospital), and outpatient (those who are living at home and travel to the clinic each visit) setting.

Contact Brad Gant

Last updated: 1/24/2008 1:54:21 PM