Doctor of physical therapy
Hometown: Bourbonnais, Ill.

“I have been blessed to be part of the first graduating doctor of physical therapy class at Findlay. Our class was my family away from home. We supported one another and built a bond that will last a lifetime,” said Jennifer Blanchette, who will graduate in May with a doctor of physical therapy after completing the University’s Weekend College (WEC) program.

From Bourbonnais, Ill., Blanchette is a wife, mother of two and a full-time physical therapy assistant at an outpatient clinic connected with Riverside Medical Center in Illinois.

Blanchette chose Findlay because it offers the only weekend college format of its kind in the nation. The program bridges the gap from a physical therapist assistant to a doctor of physical therapy.

“This bridge program allowed me, after 10 years, to complete my goal of becoming a physical therapist while being a mother of two, a wife and working in my current field. The WEC format allowed me to maintain my clinical skills while developing better theory and growing as a clinician. In a traditional DPT program, this would not have been feasible,” said Blanchette.

Jennifer interacts with a patient.

Patient interaction has always been important to Blanchette. Currently, as a physical therapist assistant, she treats patients under the supervision of a physical therapist. However, after graduation, she will be able to create care plans and exercise programs for her patients directly.

Blanchette acknowledges the encouraging and motivating influences of Kerry Volansky, D.Sc., associate professor of physical therapy. “She expects perfection from us and yet she gives us positive encouragement and supports us when we are most in need of her help,” says Blanchette.

In addition, Scott Van Zant, Ph.D., associate professor of physical therapy, leads by example. According to Blanchette, “He demonstrates such passion for what he teaches in his field. I appreciate the drive he demonstrates and how he inspires us to work hard and to push further into research.”

To Blanchette, the most beneficial part of this program is for the physical therapy assistant to bridge into a physical therapist. In a traditional PT program, Blanchette would have had to start at the basics and work through the curriculum.

With the WEC program, there is an expectation of already-acquired knowledge due to previous or concurrent field experience. Therefore, students are able to gain more advanced techniques earlier because they already have the hands-on knowledge.

Because the WEC maintains a grueling schedule that demands dedication and self-discipline, Blanchette encourages incoming WEC students, “You will need the help of your classmates; networking is crucial to your success in this program. If you feel overwhelmed and defeated, know you are not alone.”

As she prepares for graduation, Blanchette reflects on her experiences at Findlay and says, “It was an honor for me to be the class president and represent a class that demonstrates integrity, leadership, ambition and enthusiasm in the field of physical therapy.”

By Elizabeth Scarff