Graduation 2021: Lance Bennett, Doctor of Physical Therapy

Name: Lance Bennett
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Degree: Doctor of Physical Therapy

What inspired you to become a physical therapist?

The patient interaction! I love becoming a part of their recovery journey, whether it being a frozen shoulder in the outpatient setting or from an acute surgery in the inpatient world. I’ve learned so much from my patients and their different life experiences. An important piece to what we do as PTs is having that opportunity to connect with so many people on a personal level, which is fun. Also, having an opportunity to change how patients understand and interact with their own bodies. I can have a great impact on their movement experience and how they integrate and function within their given environments.

Where do you hope to practice? What are you going to focus on?

I believe that I can make the biggest impact in the outpatient setting. I love working with the higher-level athletic population, as that is my background and the setting in which have the most exposure. So far, I have really enjoyed treating patients with lower extremity and shoulder pathologies the most of all.

What is your favorite memory from DPT?

The Cadaver Lab, most definitely! It was the first time I was able to experience the human body in a 3-dimensional way. I was so used to having a 2-D reference point from various textbook and anatomy atlases, but the cadaver experience gave me a greater understanding and appreciation for the human body. Additionally, it was a really great bonding moment between myself and my TBL teammates!

How do you hope to impact patient care and/or research in your career?

Very good question. My hope is to use my mind, heart, and hands to consistently provide the most effective patient-centered care. In order to do that, I must continue to ask questions and stay in pursuit of more knowledge so that, as a clinician, I can ensure that my clinical approach is always evidence-based and intentional. It’s my hope that with more clinical practice and experience I will begin to ask the right questions that will lead me towards research endeavors that will have an impact in our profession. I’m not sure what that impact will be, but presenting research at a national conference is something that I aim to achieve one day in my career.

What about your experience as a student during COVID-19 will you carry through to your career?

A greater ability to be adaptable and an appreciation of change. Change is inevitable, regardless if we are prepared for it or not. This past year I have learned to be adaptable within a constantly changing landscape rather than resist it. It is because of COVID-19 than I am more aware that with adaptability, ultimately comes resiliency. The pandemic has changed the way I learn, how I operate in the clinical setting, and also how I engage with my family and friends. From the transition to virtual learning, completing our capstone presentations remotely, and being a student in a variety of clinical environments during this time has been a whirlwind. However, I have still managed to reach the finish line of this journey successfully, and it is in knowing this, that I am confident that I can handle whatever comes in my clinical career.


Read more about the Class of 2021 at medschool.duke.edu/graduation2021
 

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