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Updates from Graduates--Welcome Back!! |
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Here's to (for) YOU, Graduates! This page has been inspired by YOU, the graduates of the Kellogg Community College PTA Program. We have gotten such nice letters over the years, we thought others may be interested in hearing from you as well. If you are interested in posting a letter on this link, contact BJ Simmons at (269) 965-3931 ext. 2329 or email her at simmonsb@kellogg.edu. We must have your written permission in order to post your letter! Class of 2005: Angela Thomatis, LPTA November, 2007: Hi, BJ, Tracy and Kathy. You have been on my mind so much lately so I thought I would take this opportunity to write you an email. Going through the PTA program has really changed my life. Never in my life did I think that there would be so many opportunities presented to me just because of a degree from KCC. But physical therapy is something that I have always wanted to do and working with all of you for those 2 years was a difficult and great challenge, but everything was well worth it....even the check-offs!!! The education you provide and the caring teaching styles with which you deliever the material...you all were like no other teachers I have encountered at KCC (except for maybe Mr. Pratt...smile). I just really want to thank you for the education you provided. Thank you all!!! Now, for the main reason I am writing. I am now a licensed PTA in the state of Indiana. We will be relocating for a great position I found on the APTA website. We are very excited....I'm still doing my happy dance from passing the licensing exam!!!! I just took the this past Monday!! Thank you for everything!! You all have really opened up a new world to me through the PTA program!! I hope you all are doing well and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!!!! Angela Thomatis, Licensed PTA.....thank you(smile) Class of 1995: Joanna Phelps-Poynter December 21, 2006 Hi, BJ. It was so much fun to get the newsletter today! I am glad to hear you are all doing well. I've recently re-entered the P.T. field after a six year hiatus, and am LOVING it! I left thinking I'd never go back, then about six months ago I got an all-of-a-sudden urge to "see" about outpatient work (I'd worked only inpatient, home care and long-term care before.) I am now very happily working a couple of days per week in Sports Medicine. Who knew? It's perfect now that both of my kids are in school. I am VERY much in a re-learning mode--it feels like I have forgotten EVERYTHING!! Luckily, I work with many very open and extremely patient P.T.s and Assistants. I am trying to look into professional review courses--if you happen to know of any, could you forward the information to me? Take Care! Joanna Poynter, PTA Editor's note: I thought there might be others of you who might be interested in the response to her question, so here it is: There is a refresher course online through Lake Superior College. Go to www.lsc.edu and then in the search box at the top right, type in "PTA refresher course" and the info comes up. I am not sure how much it is per credit hour, but it is an 8 week online course that starts in March. It is two credits. Good luck! Class of 1994: Michelle McEldowney-Pleiman, LPTA January 3, 2007 It sounds like there have been MANY changes (to the Program) since 1994! One of my co-workers enrolled in a PTA to PT Program. She came back to work as a PT for us and mentioned that a member of her class had graduated from the Kellogg PTA Program. She was impressed with her education and knowledge and spoke highly of your program in our outpatient clinic. It made me feel proud to graduate from Kellogg! Please share this with the other staff. You do a wonderful job and we appreciate it greatly! Thank you! Class of 1983: Glenda Van Beek, PTA December, 2007: BJ: Thanks to you and whoever puts together the annual Christmas letter from KCC!! I always enjoy hearing updates. I am a '83 graduate of the PTA program, working for 17 yrs at Spectrum in GR in various roles, inpt ortho/acute care, short term and long term rehab in nursing facility, but mostly OP ortho. In 2000, I felt the need to move on, and took a job at an Outpatient orthopeadic practice. As always, with change in scenery, collegues, and clientele, I have learned much. Wow, how we treated patients back in '83 has changed, but all for the good. Thanks to the program (and Debbie!) my foundation for learning has lead me to where I am today, respected by my collegues for my knowledge and care of our patients. Thank you again, and have a blessed Christmas!! Class of 1982: Tam Mendelsohn-Brautigam December 20, 2006 The PTA Program received the following sad information from Tam's husband: "Tama was 48 years old this year when she passed away after a year-long battle with stomach cancer. Her 22 year-old daughter, Sara was married September 15th, 2006. She also has a 16 year-old son, Andrew who is doing very well in school." The faculty of the PTA Program send our thoughts and prayers to her husband and family. Class of 1979: Annemarie Lezovich February 7, 2008: I just decided to look up the KCC PTA program online. I am very glad that I did. I graduated with the 7th class in 1979. Lynne Soule's written letter (Class of 1973) inspired me to do the same. I also have been working since graduating more or less and in several places and settings. I have worked with famous people and with homeless people; doctors, lawyers, professers; sports stars and gang members; from infants to folks who have lived more than 100 years; big cities and rural America (but not all at once). This is the best occupation ever!!!!!!! Thank you KCC and to Debbie Miller who started this program with inspiration and persperation. I worked in Lansing for about seven years and earned a BS at MSU then moved to Chicago. I lived in the city for 10 years then out to the far western suburbs for another 7 years still working in PT. I returned to Mid-Michigan when my Mom became ill. I had the honor of holding her hand as she passed away in August of 2004. I have been married for just over 10 years and have two wonderful children. We brought them home April 30, 2003 from Tver, Russia. Our son is almost 12 and our daughter is almost 11 now. I have enjoyed traveling as well. Not only to Russia and other parts of Europe but to the Caribbean and all around the USA. I spent a month traveling through parts of Austraila and New Zealand. I went to the Olympics in Spain and Atlanta. (AND I AM STILL ONLY 30:)... (I wish !!) Thank you again to all of KCC PTA program faculty, past and present. Class of 1978, Lynn Curtis January, 2006 "I graduated from the PTA Program in 1978 and still appreciate getting the Christmas letter... Do you have an e-mail address for Debbie Miller? I wanted to let her know that 27 years after graduation I passed the national PTA exam to become certified in Arizona. I think that that speaks volumes for the great education that we received from KCC. I have only worked off and on as my family grew and the exam was very difficult, but there wasn't licensure or certification in Michigan when I graduated nor was there in Washington the years I worked there. My kids are now grown and I look forward to many more years of work as a PTA. Thank you! Lynn Curtis, PTA Class of 1973: Lynne Soule, LPTA May 5, 2006 Hello, I just finished visiting your website and smiled to myself as I read the words about your program opening in 1971 and graduating the first Michigan class in 1973. I am proud to say that I was one of those graduates, and find myself still practicing full time after all these years.......33 years to be exact. Wow, I am old! I have always worked full time since the very day after I graduated, and am still going strong. Thru the years I have seen many changes, not all of them for the best, but my love for the profession keeps me going. And I firmly believe the education I received at KCC gave me the tools I needed to have a successful career, practiced in a variety of settings. Back then we did not have computers, and plunked away on typewriters to complete our projects. We had to scramble to find clinical sites, and many facilities and therapists didn't know what to think or expect of us. Our program was not yet accredited as it was too new, and Debbie Miller put in long hard hours. She not only developed the program as we went along. but was also the only instructor, ACCE, chief motivator, psychologist, secretary, "mom," cleaning crew, and chief lobbyist to get us accepted in the medical community and with the APTA. Sometimes I have wanted to quit. Sometimes I have been tired. And sometimes I have been burned out beyond belief. I don't have to tell you that this is a tough field. But always, when things seem too much to handle, a miracle happens that gives you the knowledge that you simply must go on! Miracles like watching my 104 year old patient learn to strap on her newly required BK prosthesis, and despite having 2 THR's, 2 TKR's, and a torn rotator cuff, walked out of our facility with only a cane, to return to INDEPENDENT living! I was the one to get her to that level. It is because of me, my skills and knowledge, that I was able to get her to this seemingly impossible level. It was because of programs like yours that I was there. I often don't think about how many years I have been doing this until someone asks. When I answered just today that it will be 33 years in 5 more days ( May 10, 1973 ) I was surprised at my answer... yikes.......33 YEARS! As I was standing there pondering the significance of that, (ok, and maybe pouting a bit at being this old, ) I was touched and brought back to reality when my 94 year old patient grabbed my hand, looked me deep in the eyes, and simply said "Thank you." And so as I look back on my career, despite all the changes, struggles, and trying moments, I too simply want to say thank you KCC. The program is the best, and I can't imagine doing anything else. Keep up the good work and tell those students to study hard! They are going to need all the knowledge and skills they can soak up. Best Regards, Lynne Soule, LPTA |
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