St. Catherine University Physical Therapist Assistant-Bachelorās Completion (BSPTA) student Jody Wolowicz, ASPTAā93, BSPTAā22 has been looking at PTA bachelorās completion programs across the country for the last eight years. Wolowicz graduated from St. Kateās with her PTA associate degree in 1993, and has been working in the field for over 27 years. āI love my role as a PTA, but I wanted to further my education in this role and completing my bachelorās degree would allow for that to happen,ā she says. When PTA program director Holly Clynch, PT, DPT, MA, reached out to Wolowicz about St. Kateās new program ā which started in fall 2020 ā Wolowicz says, āI didnāt have to even think about it. I knew with the reputation of St. Kateās PT and PTA programs that this would be a perfect fit.ā
Wolowicz has been a staff PTA at OSI Physical Therapy ā a PT-owned outpatient orthopedic practice ā for 26 years. She holds a Specialty Certification in Orthopedics through Evidence in Motion, and has her Advanced Proficiency in Orthopedics and is a credentialed Clinical Instructor through the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). She treats all orthopedic conditions including the spine and temporomandibular joint (TMJ). She loves that in her role as a PTA, she is changing peopleās lives for the better. āIt makes me incredibly proud when my past patients come back and update me on how theyāre doing. They share stories and pictures of finished marathons, hikes through the hills of Scotland, or ice skating in the Netherlands. My favorites are when Iāve been invited to their high school sporting event to watch them in action and they and their parents introduce me as their PTA who helped get them here. When I can accomplish those things, I know Iām doing something right.ā
St. Kateās flexible, online BSPTA program is made for working PTAs, developing studentsā advanced skills and knowledge in areas such as pharmacology, nutrition, health and wellness coaching, manual therapy, and rehabilitation management. Students also gain a deep understanding of societal issues impacting healthcare. āBecause of St. Kateās commitment to their community and values, their graduates are confident, strong, caring leaders,ā says Wolowicz. āMy experiences at St. Kateās illustrate the value of being a lifelong learner. It makes me proud when I tell someone where I graduated from and they respond with āIāve heard thatās a great school!āā
Going back to school after 28 years was a transition, especially with courses completely online. However, Wolowicz says that ā just like during her previous time at St. Kateās ā the faculty and staff have been incredibly supportive along the way. āI think the thing that surprised me most was that it didnāt take long to fall back into the groove of learning. Iām back with the St. Kateās community that started me on my journey of caring. There is a comfort in going back to where you started.ā Additionally, Wolowicz has built a nationwide community with her fellow classmates, who are learning online with her from Texas, Arizona, Virginia, Florida, Ohio, Michigan, and Iowa.
With her bachelorās degree, Wolowicz plans to work on program development at her clinic and pursue further certifications to serve her patients better, all of which would have been out of reach without her bachelorās degree. āI want to grow my leadership in the PTA profession and would love the opportunity to teach. I am also hoping that I, along with the St. Kateās PTA-Bachelorās program, can further promote and grow the role of PTAs and the PTA profession.ā