I graduated from Mercy College of Health Sciences in 2018 and cannot thank my instructors enough for providing a great education for me to be successful. I am a physical therapist assistant at ARC Physical Therapy+ at the Des Moines location. I am originally from Lake Mills, Iowa, but have been living in Des Moines since 2013.

Fun Fact: I met my husband playing slow pitch softball and we still play in the outfield together.

Why I love being a PTA: I used to have a desk job and always dreamed of working with people to improve their quality of life. My aunt, who also attended the PTA program through Mercy College of Health Sciences, suggested I become a PTA. This was a life-changing decision. It was a little scary at first, but I could not be happier with my career! I get to help people return to their normal activities, work and recreational fun. I have patients that return months after being discharged just to say hello and thank me again. Knowing I make a difference in my patients' lives makes my life a little sweeter.

Why I love being an IPTA member: I attended the fall conference as a student and met other PTA students, which allowed us to share our experiences as students. The continuing education opportunities and learning from leaders in our industry is insightful and motivating. The IPTA website is a great resource that helps me keep up with events and what is going on legislatively.