Meet our PTA student at WSPT: Jeff Hurm
Posted by
Jeni P. on Wed, Feb 08, 2012 @ 11:18 AM
Jeff Hurm is a Physical Therapy Assistant student here at WSPT. He has been working with Lillibeth Gonzalez for the last month, and has already greatly benefited from her years of experience.
Jeff originally attended Ithaca College and received a degree in TV and Radio Communications. He worked in video production and post-production for 13 years. After deciding his heart was not in that type of work, Jeff enrolled at LaGuardia Community College to obtain a degree as a Physical Therapy Assistant.
Having received physical therapy after going through an ACL reconstruction, his interest in PT as a career began to grow. His friend, a chiropractor, confirmed that this was a good path, and recommended Jeff get a degree as a PTA.
WSPT is Jeff’s second of three clinical requirements. His first clinical requirement was fulfilled at an outpatient facility, Miccass Physical Therapy, in Manhattan. At WSPT, Jeff will be completing his clinical specialty, and the track he intends to pursue, Sports Medicine.
Jeff appreciates that Lillibeth allows him to have a generous degree of free license while working with patients. Jeff points out that what you learn in the classroom as a student can only be the framework; real learning takes place when the student is allowed to be hands on, and to participate in the actual treatment of patients.
One of the most valuable insights into practicing physical therapy that Jeff has been privy to is the realization that no two patients are alike. Every patient will have his or her own personality, medical history, anatomy and will. Understanding and appreciating that a patient’s perception of their own pain is a heavy factor in the plan of care will help make Jeff a more intuitive and effective PTA.