Rural Health Fellowship Expands Career Options for BVU Senior

Emily's experience throughout much of December and all of January involved observing sports medicine, as well as treatment of pediatric and elderly patients.

Emily Kim, one of two BVU students who earned an Undergraduate Rural Health Fellowship award, says the program will open opportunities for her soon after graduation.

“I’ve been accepted to medical school, but the Rural Health Fellowship helps keep my options open,” says Kim, a senior biology major who completed a physical therapy internship with Select Physical Therapy, which features a Storm Lake practice among its 13 Iowa locations.

The other award winner, junior Rebecca Peters, a biology major, used this fellowship opportunity to pursue interests in healthcare, specifically working with physician assistants and nurse practitioners in Storm Lake and other rural locations.

“I became more aware of things from the physical therapy realm to rehab for knees and knee replacements. I’m thankful for all of the opportunities BVU has provided me.”

Emily Kim

Dr. Marlon Gasner, center manager for Select Physical Therapy in Storm Lake, said Kim’s experience throughout much of December and all of January involved observing treatment of pediatric patients, elderly patients, and those on the sports medicine side. It marked the fifth time Select Physical Therapy has worked with a BVU student through the Undergraduate Rural Health Fellowship, a program that features a $1,500 stipend for participating students. Kim noted she’ll use those funds in applying for physical therapy school and other academic preparatory work.

“I learned a lot,” Kim says of her experience. “I became more aware of things from the physical therapy realm to rehab for knees and knee replacements. I’m thankful for all of the opportunities BVU has provided me.”

“We appreciate the opportunity to work with BVU students,” said Gasner, whose firm has also worked with one to two students annually in the University’s athletic training program. “Emily is a great student. We had a nice experience with her.”

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