Meet the grads: Kinder DeWoolfson

Major: Doctorate of Physical Therapy
Hometown: Warrenton, Virginia

Why did you choose PT at the School of Medicine?

I love the state, and I had an amazing undergraduate experience at WVU pursuing my bachelor’s degree in Sport Management from 2018-2022. I knew I wanted to stay and continue my education by serving the community that supported me through my undergraduate experience. I have always been interested in healthcare, and when I shadowed a physical therapist my junior year of undergrad, I knew it was a career I wanted to pursue.

Why did you want to become a physical therapist?

I have wanted to work in the healthcare field for as long as I can remember. I also grew up as a figure skater and have been coaching ice skaters for over a decade. Watching movement patterns on the ice and providing feedback to improve them is something I am very confident in, and I knew I wanted to do that as a career as well. Physical therapy was the best fit when considering movement patterning and the medical field.

What would you tell a prospective student about your experience at the School of Medicine?

The WVU School of Medicine offers many opportunities for personal and professional development to reduce personal bias and expose students to a variety of populations. I have grown so much in my understanding of the underserved populations in this state and how impacted rural communities are by health disparities. I have also grown to love the unique setting that is “treating patients in a rural community.” No medical care or setting compares to the experiences I have had in this state with rural communities that I would not have had without the WVU School of Medicine.

What are your plans after graduation?

I plan to stay in Morgantown and work as a physical therapist at MoveRight Performance Therapy while dedicating my time to coaching power skating at the ice-skating facility at Mylan Park. I will also work as needed at a few other PT companies, including Preston Memorial Hospital in Preston County and at Dynamic PT in Morgantown.

How do you feel your time at the School of Medicine has prepared you for your future?

WVU has provided me with a strong foundation on which to build a career. The curriculum exposes students to rural Appalachia and to interprofessional training between the cohorts and departments. I feel very prepared to step foot into clinical practice thanks to the exposure I have had to rural communities, different practice settings and various patient populations. The WVU School of Medicine has also done a great job exposing its students to potential job opportunities. I had job offers from five companies before I passed or took my board exam. I have since accepted a few of my top choices and am blessed to have been able to be very selective with career choices and which opportunities I agreed to take on following graduation.

As a soon-to-be graduate, what is your best advice for incoming students?

As an incoming student, you should prioritize getting involved. Get involved with anything and everything you can! Residence Hall Association, Club Sports Association, Student Government Association, undergraduate research, or the club for your major/minor are a few ways I got involved during my first year in Morgantown. Invite people for coffee, shopping, try a new club or go to the gym! Everyone who is an incoming student is in the same boat as you and feels just as nervous to make friends, but people are friendly here -- go find them.

What will you miss most about WVU?

I will miss being able to stand in the student section during WVU football games. The energy in the student section standing for the entire game, regardless of the weather, is unparalleled.