Muhlenberg track and field jumper Lindsay Press, a rising senior biology major and public health minor, writes about her summer shadowing experience:

I have been spending this summer shadowing at the Colts Neck, New Jersey, office of ProCare Health and Rehabilitation. The experience has shown me what the environment is like at an outpatient orthopedic physical therapy facility. 

As I currently apply to physical therapy schools, I wanted to gauge my interest in outpatient care, so this experience was extremely beneficial. I arranged to intern at this facility before Covid-19 and was lucky enough to be able to still go in to observe. I had the opportunity to observe patient treatment, learn about common reasons people need physical therapy, and study how to pick exercises and form treatment plans. 

Physical therapy is deemed as necessary, but there were many actions done to attempt to abide by social distancing standards and to reduce the risk of an outbreak. I was tasked with wiping down each piece of equipment after it was used and taking vitals as patients came in. 

In the less busy times, I was fortunate enough to receive advice from the two physical therapists, while in the busier times I learned more about the good communication and multitasking skills that are necessary to be a successful physical therapist.

Although this summer is different from any in the past, that has not stopped Mule athletes from enjoying fantastic experiences. If you would like to tell the story of your summer, please fill out our Summer Check-In form!