Healing Through Movement: How My Passion for Physical Therapy Began

Explore Shaqundra's path to becoming a pelvic health physical therapist assistant in a rural, underserved community.

Discovering Physical Therapy in High School

My interest in physical therapy started in high school when I started playing sports and was a part of an academy called Vance Medical Academy.  It was housed in my high school for students interested in the medical field. This academy gave us courses, in addition to our regular high school classes, that focused on the healthcare field.  In combination with interactive projects/experiments and field trips, the academy allowed us to gain insight to help shape our future. Throughout my life, I loved to help others in whatever way to allow them to be successful and happy.  This carried over to me wanting to help others heal from injuries.

Gaining Early Experience in the Clinic

At the end of my senior year in undergrad, I participated in my first internship, which was at an outpatient physical therapy clinic.  I received experience that showed me this was the field that I was destined to be in. Once I finished undergrad, I worked as a physical therapy tech at an outpatient PT clinic under two pelvic health PTs.  By working under them, I was able to learn about pelvic health physical therapy, a specialty I had no idea about until then. With patient consent, I was able to sit in on a few evaluations and treatments to get insight into what the specialty entails.  This helped me grow an interest in pelvic health that carried over into the PTA program I attended and graduated from.

Building Pelvic Health Access in My Community

This scholarship will help me gain the proper knowledge and training to help begin treating pelvic health patients in my community. I currently live and practice in a rural area that does not have pelvic health therapy available.  Patients are often referred to the next closest place, which is 45 min-1 hour away.

My goal is to make a difference within my community by advocating to our area doctors/clinicians and residents.  My long-term goal is to start my own clinic specializing in pelvic health physical therapy to give patients a sense of comfort, ease, and a feeling of home during their sessions.

About the Author

Shaqundra Richardson, B.S., A.A.S, PTA

Shaqundra Richardson is a dedicated Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) born and raised in Henderson, North Carolina. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Sports Science and Fitness Management from North Carolina A&T State University in December 2021, followed by her Associate of Applied Science in the Physical Therapist Assistant program from Nash Community College in May 2024. Shaqundra currently practices in a private outpatient orthopedic clinic in Henderson, NC.