Mega Doctor News
Odessa Gutierrez is halfway through her journey to becoming a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) and is already making a significant impact within her community and family as a South Texas College student.
Gutierrez, who serves as the president of the Student Physical Therapist Assistant (SPTA) Club for the class of 2025, has found that her coursework at STC has not only equipped her with the knowledge to help future patients, but also to assist her loved ones.
“After learning about various diagnoses, I can now confidently guide my family members, like my grandma, on what exercises to do when they have certain pains,” Gutierrez said. “It’s really cool to see how much I’ve learned and to be able to help my family now.”
Reflecting on her progress, she mentions that while it feels surreal to be a level-two student, she can clearly see the growth in herself.
“Sometimes I still feel like I’m not a level two; I’m still learning,” Gutierrez said. “But when I think about how much I’ve learned in my first year, from classroom to clinical experiences, I do start to feel like a therapist. I’m growing not only as a student, but as a future therapist and a person,” she said.
Gutierrez, who originally graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science with a concentration in Physical Therapy, chose to return to her studies and pursue her PTA certification after an initial plan to enter a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program was interrupted by the pandemic.
“My original plan was to graduate and go into a DPT program, but then COVID hit, and my internship got canceled,” Gutierrez said. “So, I decided to go into a master’s program at Texas State for a bit, but I realized I wanted to get back into helping the community.”
After consulting with advisors at STC, she found her path in the PTA program.
“I did my research, and decided this was the right step for me,” she said.
Looking ahead, Gutierrez plans to work as a PTA after graduation and is considering furthering her education to become a DPT through the bridge program offered at STC in partnership with The University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston.
“I still have plans to become a doctor of physical therapy, but I’m taking things one step at a time,” she said. “Right now, I’m focused on finishing the PTA program and begin working in my community.”
Gutierrez credits the rigorous training at STC for preparing her and her classmates for their future roles in health care.
“The instructors are extremely demanding and set the bar high, but it’s for a good reason,” Gutierrez said. “They are making sure we are fully prepared to help our community and make a real difference.”
For more information on STC’s Physical Therapist Assistant program and other opportunities, visit https://www.southtexascollege.edu
