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Undergraduate education:

Marquette University

Graduate school:

Marquette University

Professional interest:

In general, I love all things pediatrics and the challenges that come when working with such a broad spectrum of patients and diagnoses. My current specialist interest includes patient care involving the treatment of developmental disorders, children with congenital heart defects, and early mobilization of children in ICUs. In addition to patient care, I am also very interested in student engagement with hopes of one day teaching and serving as a clinical mentor. I also am very passionate about service and outreach programs and would like to continue volunteering and growing my experience with organizations such as Go Baby Go and GiGi’s Playhouse.

Why I chose to do a residency program at UNC:

There were many requirements that I was looking for when applying to Pediatric Physical Therapy Residency programs. One of those requirements was that the program had to be associated with a larger teaching hospital and/or established children’s hospital. Other requirements were that the program had to allow the resident opportunities to teach in the associated DPT program, participate in research, experience all major pediatric physical therapy settings, and serve the community. A handful of residency programs checked all of my “bare minimum” boxes so began looking for a residency program that would foster all of my interests and help me not only grow as a pediatric clinician but as an individual. The UNC Pediatric Physical Therapy Residency program offers countless additional components that I didn’t find in many other residency programs such as the LEND fellowship, working with adults who have developmental disorders, and abundant mentoring opportunities.

What sealed the deal on UNC was the wonderful feeling I got when interviewing for the UNC Pediatric Physical Therapy Residency program. Everyone I spoke with made me realize how special and unique of a program UNC had. Even though interviews were over Zoom (thanks COVID) I could easily see how much everyone loved what they did, how passionate they were for teaching and mentoring the resident, and how everyone was truly a part of a family here at UNC. I could not imagine a better place that fit my professional and personal goals and a place that I will launch my professional career from.

What I like about Chapel Hill:

I love that Chapel Hill seems to be in the perfect location within the state of North Carolina. I can drive a few hours and be at the beach or I could drive a few hours and be in the mountains. I love the outdoors so the fact that Chapel Hill itself has beautiful scenery and ready access to all kinds of hiking, biking, and running trails is an added bonus. I also love that Chapel Hill helps to make up the rapidly growing Research Triangle so there is a large population of young professionals moving to the area.

Catherine Cunningham