Columbia Alumni Shannon Joyner
Please introduce yourself and let us know what year you graduated from our DPT Program.
Hello! I'm Shannon Joyner, a proud graduate of the class of 2018, aka The Huge Class.
What event in your life triggered your decision to pursue becoming a Physical Therapist (PT)?
I had the unique experience of never experiencing a debilitating athletic or sport related-injury, like so many that join our profession, but instead I was often the supportive teammate/friend that tagged along to the training room for many PT sessions. The human body and its mechanics have always intrigued me, and getting to see first-hand how we can influence recovery was impactful in my decision to pursue physical therapy.
Interestingly enough, I initially wanted to pursue a career in orthopedics or physiatry, until I learned the extent of how much physical therapists were involved in the orchestration of the recovery process.
How was your experience at Columbia during the three-year program?
My experience was one of the most challenging, humbling, joyful, and truly rewarding experiences both academically and socially that I have encountered thus far. I can honestly say that I have made life-long friendships and built a network that is full of the future leaders, innovators and driving-forces of our profession.
How was your experience after you graduated from the program?
I traveled a bit with friends from the program prior to starting my full time job later in the fall of 2018. I was able to participate in a Physical Therapy-exchange program courtesy of Dr. Fu's alma mater in Hong Kong (Hong Kong Polytechnic Institute). The program was very rewarding and allowed for a truly unique international experience.
I worked 1.5 years as a full time ICU therapist prior to the Covid-19 pandemic beginning in late 2019, early 2020. I utilized many of those skills as a member of the proning education and implementation teams during care of Covid-19 patients. At the start of the pandemic, prior to the creation of the vaccine, interdisciplinary care was heavily dependent on the Physical Therapy department and our expertise in the best practices and care of COVID-19 patients. Needless to say, it was a challenging time, but a time that I now reflect on as another remarkable piece of history that I was a part of.
What are you doing currently? Where are you working?
Currently, I am a full-time acute care physical therapist with New York Presbyterian Weill-Cornell in the pediatric department. I previously have covered various ICU's in all sectors including Medical Surgery, Orthopedics, Neurology, Emergency Department, Obstetrics/Gynecology - Postpartum/Intrapartum/Antepartum, Oncology, and Psychology/Psychiatry.
How has the Columbia DPT program helped you after you graduated?
The program has welcomed me back as a lab instructor for the PT Procedures and Geriatric Courses with the excellent talents of Dr. Stewart and Dr. Abbruzzese. The continued connections of my "huge class" and the friendships built across our Columbia DPT Alumni, has always brought about a friendly face in the world of PT no matter the setting when I am recommending a patient for outpatient or specialized care.
What advice do you have for future students of our Columbia DPT program?
Always ask questions, be relentless in your pursuit of the "whys or hows". Improvement benefits everyone (eventually), don't be afraid to ask to try to implement alternate solutions or trial different ways of doing things. The age-old excuse of "we've always done it this way" can only take things so far. Also, work to make things better for those that come after you and in doing that make it better for yourself.
Program-wise: This is going to be a challenging time academically, emotionally, and maybe even socially. Embrace the challenge, ask for help when you need it and support/build up your classmates along the way. YOU CAN DO THIS!
Please speak a little about yourself, what your hobbies are, anything that you would like us to know.
I am a midwestern born kid that traveled the world because my mom had a cool job. I am a big cinema/film, theater, live music, sports, art and dance personality. I was/am a huge proponent of sharing the wealth during my time in the program, especially along the lines of alerting my classmates to free food/events on campus. On any given day tacos, the beach, boxing, and spending time with friends are always my picks!
Wishing everyone who read this lots of peace and joy!