In her first semester at West Kentucky Community and Technical College, Amanda Boyd took a personality assessment test in a psychology class and found out that physical therapy was a definite match for her. After entering the WKCTC physical therapist assistant (PTA) program in spring 2011, Boyd is now one of two PTA students at WKCTC to be selected to the 2013 Kentucky Physical Therapy Association All–Academic Team (KPTA). The KPTA partnered with RehabCare to select the students from Kentucky’s PTA and Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs.
Only three Kentucky institutions placed more than one student on the 2013 All-Academic. Boyd of McCracken County joins fellow WKCTC physical therapy assistant student Kaela Burge-Beckley of Madison County, IL, as two of only nine students selected for the award.
Boyd, 36, is thrilled with the nomination. “I am super excited about this award because even though I know I am passionate about this field, someone else has seen and acknowledged it as well,” she said. “ I feel extremely privileged to have been selected.”
Students are chosen for the competitive team based upon academic and clinical performance, extracurricular, campus and community service activities, participation in physical therapy-related activities and organizations, and a personal statement discussing the student’s career goals and the importance of being an advocate for the physical therapy profession.
Boyd is a WKCTC student ambassador and serves both the college and community in several ways. She volunteers with the college’s annual scholarship auction, Clemens Fine Arts Center and other campus events and activities. She also volunteers with community organizations such as the United Way, Salvation Army and Easter Seals West Kentucky.
Boyd recently attended an Amputee Walking School at Madisonville Community College to learn physical therapy techniques and exercises to better serve amputees. She and Beckley are also participating in raising money for the Pittsburg/Marquette Challenge where programs raise money for physical therapy research.
“PT is a very rewarding field; we help people get their lives back,” Boyd said. “I love helping and encouraging others!”
Boyd will graduate from the college’s PTA Program in December and plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in dietetics and athletic training and a doctorate degree in physical therapy.
This year’s recipients also include: Jimmy Crick, Bellarmine University DPT Program; Shawn Frazee, Somerset Community College PTA Program; Samantha Grubb, Somerset Community College PTA Program; Sarah Beth Martin, University of Kentucky DPT Program; Kirby Mayer, University of Kentucky DPT Program; Megan Oleksa, Jefferson Community and Technical College PTA Program; and Avery T. Schroyer, University of Kentucky DPT Program.
Members of the KPTA All-Academic Team will be recognized at the KPTA Fall Conference in Lexington and will receive cash scholarships from RehabCare®, a leading provider of rehabilitation services, including physical, occupational and speech therapies. Thirty-eight students have been recognized through the program since its inception in 2010.
For information about the 2014 KPTA All-Academic Team, contact the KPTA Chapter Student Liaison at ron.meade@kctcs.edu.