McNair Scholars
Rosalee Locklear
Rosalee Locklear
When a dear friend planted the notion in my head that physical therapy was a career option that I may like to pursue, I pondered the idea for some time. My fascination with the capabilities of the human body began when I fell in love with a form of yoga called Anusara, which focuses on the alignment of the body. Growing up in the mountains of Applegate, Oregon I led a very active lifestyle and fitness has always been incorporated into my life. However, I did not know a great deal regarding the field of physical therapy and decided to strengthen my knowledge.
After speaking with five different local therapists I had gained some pertinent and current information regarding the profession. I contacted a counselor at Rogue Community College and he helped me tremendously by setting up a volunteer practicum with Impact Physical Therapy. This experience gave me a wonderful opportunity to acquaint myself with the field; this also led to my part-time employment in the facility for nearly two years. I continued to complete practicum experience hours for my baccalaureate degree both at my previous place of employment and a variety of other physical therapy settings and have acquired nearly one thousand hours of experience in the field so far.
When I began my educational journey the first thing I learned about myself was that in order to be successful in school I must have defined goals. My goals are to complete a Bachelor of Science degree in the Department of Health, Physical Education, and Leadership with a minor in Biology and a minor in Spanish. I will continue my education at the graduate level pursuing a professional doctoral degree in physical therapy (DPT) as well as an academic degree, masters or PhD in a closely related field. I want to establish a career as a physical therapist where I will treat individuals suffering from injuries and health-related conditions or illness.
The aim of my career choice is to help members of my community to get back to doing the activities that make them happy and healthy. Teaching in a university setting is an idea that could eventually become a reality for me with the completion of a master degree or PhD in Exercise Sport Science or in Spanish. I am looking forward to continuing my academic journey into graduate school; to becoming an exemplary practitioner; and I anticipate having opportunities in my future to share my knowledge of both physical therapy and Spanish with others.
Mentor: Dr. Kathleen Page, Professor of Biology
Curriculum Vitae
SOU McNair Scholars Journal Fall 2012 – Vol. 9
2012 McNair Scholar Symposium
Slide Presentation: Rationale and Approach Related to the Development of a Stage-Based Instrument to Assess School Nutrition and Physical Activity Environments
2012 Southern Oregon Arts and Research Conference
Poster: Multiple Sclerosis: A meltdown of the central nervous system