麻豆破解

Key Points:

• Shelly Bliss 鈥�27, D鈥�29 is pursuing her Doctor of Physical Therapy at LVC after being inspired by her own rehabilitation experience following childhood cancer.
• She chose LVC for its strong NPTE pass rates, supportive faculty, and proximity to Penn State Hershey Medical Center, where she explores Exercise Oncology research.
• She gained early hands-on experience as a physical therapy technician and personal care aid, securing opportunities through LVC鈥檚 Breen Center career fair.
• Her 鈥測es鈥� mindset has led to extensive campus involvement, leadership roles, and a transformative study abroad experience in Costa Rica that shaped her approach to patient care.

Doctor of Physical Therapy student Shelly Bliss 鈥�27, D鈥�29 found her calling through personal experience. Her passion for physical therapy (PT) developed during her rehabilitation following childhood cancer.

鈥淢y treatment included a Chopart amputation of my right foot, which required a journey of physical therapy before and following my amputation to return to the activities I loved,鈥澛爏he said. 鈥淢y physical therapists gave me a second chance at an active life, and this first-hand experience of the impact PT can have on a patient鈥檚 life inspires me to do the same for my future patients.鈥�

Bliss picked LVC for its academic strength and personal connection. 鈥淚 chose LVC because of its strong record of high pass rates on the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) and the high praise of the professors in the program from my older sister, Dr. Heidi Grove 鈥�20, D鈥�22,鈥� she said. LVC鈥檚 proximity to Penn State Hershey Medical Center has also allowed her to pursue Exercise Oncology research while continuing her own follow-up care.

Although her formal clinical rotations begin in 2027, Bliss has already gained hands-on experience through summer roles as a personal care aid and physical therapy technician at an outpatient clinic鈥攁 position she secured through a connection made at an LVC Breen Center career fair. These experiences helped her link classroom learning to patient care and sparked an interest in research, which she plans to explore further through a research internship this summer.

Bliss鈥檚 approach to college has been shaped by initiative. 鈥淢y LVC experience has been defined by saying 鈥榶es鈥� to varied opportunities that come my way,鈥� she said. That mindset is reflected in her extensive campus involvement, including the Honors Program, Dutchmen First, Handbell Choir, Spanish Club (President), Footloose Line Dancing Club (Treasurer), Peer Tutor, Writing Mentor, Valley Blue Coat, Global Ambassador, and student representative to the Board of Trustees.

Another 鈥測es鈥� moment occurred when her Spanish professor, Dr. Gabriela McEvoy, recommended that Bliss add an Applied Spanish for Healthcare minor. This led her to study in Costa Rica through LVC last summer, which she described as 鈥渢ransformative,鈥� and enabling her to be a more compassionate PT after graduation.

Looking back on her experience, Bliss emphasizes community as LVC鈥檚 greatest strength. 鈥淭he College鈥檚 strong support system is my favorite part of studying at a small college,鈥� she said. 鈥淟VC does 鈥榮mall college鈥� exceptionally well.鈥�