Katelin Zapolnik
“I wanted a program that would set me apart for medical school. I know the Ex Phys program will help me achieve my goals due to the rigorous curriculum that is provided during undergrad.”
Each step is a choice. For Katelin Zapolnik, that phrase isn’t metaphorical — it’s reality. Every movement she makes comes with deliberation and determination.
Zapolnik, a May 2025 graduate of the WVU School of Medicine’s Exercise Physiology program from Lenexa, Kansas, has Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS), a genetic connective tissue disorder that affects the collagen in the body and causes chronic pain.
“Collagen acts like a strong rubber band within our tissues, but in my case, that rubber band is stretched out and doesn’t hold my body together like it should,” Zapolnik explained.
“When I decide to participate in activities, I know that I may need to take it a bit slower than others or be more cautious, and that these activities will cause pain. I focus on weighing the pros and cons of each activity, then deciding if the physical toll is worth the positive mental benefits.”
Zapolnik has learned that the reward of participating in life on her terms often outweighs the risk.
She describes herself as hardworking, determined and always up for a challenge. She’s the type of person who won’t let anything get in her way.
After enduring years of sports injuries, surgeries and even a life-threatening infection that landed her in the ICU, Zapolnik’s personal health experiences have not only strengthened her resolve, but also helped her find her purpose.
“I was in high school when my surgeon told me, right before a procedure, ‘I don’t know if you’ll come out of this with your leg. I can’t promise you’ll come out of the OR at all,’” she recalls. “Hearing those words stuck with me and made me realize that life is short and we have no control over how long we have.”
Instead of discouraging her, that moment shaped her future. She realized she wanted to be on the other side of the operating table — not as a patient, but as a provider.
Finding her path
When looking into her options for college, Zapolnik knew she wanted an academic path connecting her love of athletics and her interest in medicine.
She found that in the Exercise Physiology program at the WVU School of Medicine.
“When looking at pre-med tracks, the majority of people majored in biology or chemistry, and I knew I didn’t want that,” Zapolnik said. “I wanted a program that would set me apart for medical school. Exercise Physiology fit my interest not only in sports and exercise, but also in how the human body works.”
Zapolnik attributes the hands-on curriculum, lab experiences and simulation and clinical training throughout the program with preparing her for her ultimate goal: a career in sports medicine, specifically in orthopedic surgery.
“I know the Ex Phys program will help me achieve my goals due to the rigorous curriculum that is provided during undergrad,” Zapolnik said. “This program has also provided me with a great foundation of the human body and taught me not only how exercise can impact systems, but also how diseases can.”
One of her most meaningful experiences has been her internship in the Human Performance Lab, where she worked in a clinical setting one-on-one with clients, using her experience as a patient to inform her practice as a provider.
Zapolnik also highlights her experience in exercise physiology labs and the human cadaver lab with preparing her for her future and giving her a deep understanding of anatomy and health.
Beyond the classroom, she had the opportunity to travel to Nice, France, for a study abroad course where she explored the role of the Mediterranean diet in health and performance.
“Having access to all of these experiences while still in undergrad makes me feel like I am more prepared and more confident when interacting with a clinical population,” she said.
The next step
Juggling school and her health hasn’t slowed Zapolnik down. In fact, it’s pushed her forward. Despite undergoing multiple surgeries each year that have required extensive travel, she’s still on track to achieve her goals.
This summer, she’ll take the next step by pursuing her master’s degree in Exercise Physiology at WVU.
“From the start of college, I have had multiple surgeries each year in multiple states that I’ve had to fly to or drive to,” Zapolnik said. “My condition has made school more challenging, but it has also made me work harder and has motivated me more to go into medicine because I understand not only the academic and professional aspects of it, but I also understand the patient side of it.”
Her ability to see healthcare from both sides — as a patient and as a future provider — has helped shape her approach to clinical work. She’s used her personal experiences to build stronger connections with clients.
“Having the experience as a patient has allowed me to connect on a personal level with my clients,” she said. “Additionally, it has given me more clarity on the type of provider I aspire to be.”
Looking forward
As Zapolnik looks towards her future, she hopes her story can raise awareness for those living with chronic diseases.
Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) has recently garnered increased attention, particularly following the release of “Fourth Wing,” an adult fantasy novel by Rebecca Yarros. Yarros, who has hEDS herself, modeled the novel's female protagonist, Violet Sorrengail, after her own experiences with the condition.
With rising awareness of hEDS, especially in pop culture, Zapolnik is optimistic that increased visibility of chronic illnesses will lead to earlier diagnoses and better outcomes for those affected.
“I think it is important that chronic diseases are represented and represented correctly,” Zapolnik said. “By having the correct information out there, chronic diseases are more likely to be correctly diagnosed, which leads to proper treatments and care being provided. My own diagnosis didn’t come until years after I started experiencing symptoms.”
While Zapolnik’s condition has shaped her path, it hasn’t limited her or slowed her down.
“I’ve always had a ‘go-with-the-flow’ mindset,” she said. “But I’m also competitive, and I’m driven. That combination has shaped the way I view life with hEDS. I don’t waste time dwelling on what I can’t do — I focus on what I can.”
Learn more about exercise physiology at WVU at medicine.wvu.edu/ep.
--WVU—
ak/05/09/2025
CONTACT: Ally Kennedy
Communications Specialist
WVU School of Medicine
allyson.kennedy1@wvumedicine.org