Whenever Ty Hunt mentions that he is studying physical therapy at the
University of Nebraska Medical Center, people often respond with a quizzical
look and say, Physical therapy? Youre kidding me. But Hunt doesnt
take offense. After all, Hunt is a Native American, an active duty Air
Force veteran, a national amateur volleyball competitor, and currently,
the two-term class president of UNMCs School of Allied Health Professions,
Division of Physical Therapy Education. He believes life is filled with
interesting possibilities.
I had knee surgery years ago and spent a lot of time in physical therapy,
said Hunt, 27, a member of the Lumbee Tribe in North Carolina. I never
forgot the personal interaction between therapist and patient. Eventually,
I did more than 400 hours of volunteer work with physical therapy and always
thought about it as a possible career.
With more than 40,000 members, the Lumbee are the largest tribe in North
Carolina, the largest tribe east of the Mississippi River and the ninth
largest tribe in the United States. The Lumbee name is from the Lumber
River that flows through southeastern North Carolina and represents a Native
American community that has inhabited the area for more than 250 years.
Hunt came to UNMC by way of the U.S. Air Force. He enlisted in
1990 and later was chosen for the officer candidates program. Stationed
at Offutt Air Base since 1996, working as a communications computer systems
operator, he attended a retirement reception for his commanding officer
in 1997 and met Maj. Mary Ellen Sacksteder, (USAF Ret.). After hearing
Hunts interest in physical therapy, Sacksteder, former program director
of the Division of Physical Therapy Education, immediately referred him
to Pat Hageman, Ph.D., associate professor and director of the division.
The faculty here is excellent, Hunt said. They immediately
contacted me and really recruited me with enthusiasm. I think our
faculty goes out of its way to interact and assist students. They
help you believe in yourself and make you feel that if you show some initiative
and desire, the support is here to help you make it.
Physical therapists are health care professionals who evaluate and treat
people with health problems resulting from injury or disease. Physical
therapists assess joint motion, muscle strength and endurance, function
of the heart and lungs, and performance of activities required in daily
living. Treatments used by physical therapists include a broad range
of therapeutic exercise techniques, cardiovascular endurance training,
and training in activities in daily living.
In order to achieve a master of physical therapy degree, students have
to complete a minimum of 64 semester hours in prerequisite course work
prior to admission. The three-year program does not require a thesis,
but Hunt and his classmates must complete 101 credit hours of didactic
and clinical course work, including 31 weeks of full-time clinical experience.
Thus far, Hunt has served multiple-week tours in geriatric and orthopedic
clinics.
When I came into the school, I had no idea how many rehabilitation
areas our field can be involved in, Hunt said. While this career
pays well and has excellent future prospects, what I like the most is constantly
dealing with people at a very personal level for an extended period of
time. Physical therapists may see the same patient two or three times
a week for weeks or even months.
The thanks and smiles I receive when my patients see and feel their
own progress is so rewarding. I just enjoy helping people and I cant
get that kind of feedback working on computers. Ill be commissioned
an officer after I get my degree. My ultimate goal is to do an Air
Force career tour and then work in pediatric neurophysical therapy.
Maybe one day I will be a teacher, too.
Giving back to the community is a hallmark of Hunts commitment to sharing
his own good fortunes in life. He is a Special Olympics volunteer,
a participant at the UNMC Munroe-Meyer Institutes Camp Munroe (a summer
camp for children with special needs), a youth mentor and organizer/teammate
for a number of local charity volleyball events.
There is a lot of opportunity in America today, Hunt said. There are
more minority role models in health and medicine now who are showing what
we can achieve. I know I am not alone. I want others coming
behind me to realize they wont be alone either in trying to achieve their
own dreams.
The allied health professions include all health related disciplines
except medicine, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry, optometry and podiatry.
The allied health programs at UNMC include medical technology, physical
therapy, radiography, medical nutrition, medical sonography, physician
assistant, nuclear medicine, perfusion science, radiation therapy and cytotechnology.
UNMC is the only public academic health science center in the state.
Through its commitment to research, education, outreach and patient care,
UNMC has established itself as one of the country’s leading centers for
cancer research and treatment, solid organ transplantation and arthritis.
During the past year, nearly $31 million in research grants and contracts
were awarded to UNMC scientists, and UNMCs funding from the National Institutes
of Health increased by 28 percent, going from $16.2 million to $20.7 million.
UNMC’s educational programs are responsible for training more health professionals
practicing in Nebraska than any other institution.