PT Student MOVE to Support Parkinson's Awareness

PT Students GET MOVING to Support Parkinson's Awareness, Research, and Care

Nicole Hetko '20, '22G, Kyle Cangemi '20, '22, Jenny Whelan '20, '22G, Meghan Goutremout '20,'22, and Gillian Lamb '20, '22G participating in Moving Day walk at Frontier Field

On Sunday, October 10, 2021, PT students participated in the annual Moving Day at Frontier Field. 

Meghan Goutremout '20,'22G said: "We took part in an amazing event this past weekend. We moved for a cause. We moved for a cure for Parkinson’s. During Parkinson’s Moving day we were a part of the “cheer team” as well as route guides to give the participants encouragement and direct them in the way to go. It was really cool to see some of our patients who attend on-campus clinics out in the community participating in an event such as this. Participating in this made me so excited for my future in PT and hopeful for future research and funding going into finding cures." 

Jennifer Whelan '20, '22G stated: "In PT school, we learn a lot about "whole person" care and how important it is for our patients.  It was really great to see this in action, with families and loved ones gathering about in support of all those with Parkinson's.  It was so fun to get to see patients and families in their real daily lives and what they work so hard for in physical therapy with us.  The event was much fun and such an honor to be a part of it!"

Nicole Hetko '20, '22 shared: "Being a PT student, we see many individuals with Parkinson's Disease in the clinic, but being able to see them having fun out in the community was very rewarding. The best part of this experience was seeing how big some of the teams were; some individuals had up to 25 people walking with them. It is so nice to know as a PT student that these individuals have such a good support system who will help them not only feel better physically, but emotionally, as well. It was definitely a very fun and rewarding event to be a part of!"

Gillian Lamb '20,'22G added: “We have had some experience with the Parkinson’s population through our on-campus clinics, and this experience allowed us to work on continuing to build our relationships within this community. Volunteering at this event helped to solidify my interest in working with the neurological population in the future!”

Read more about Moving Day at the Parkinson's Foundation Website.