

Live & Grow Mentorship
About
What is Live & Grow Mentorship?
Pre-PT: It is an online organization that presents an opportunity to mentor pre-pt students applying to DPT programs, current DPT/PTA students, and new graduates. Pre-pt students starting directly after undergraduate graduation, students in a gap year, and career changers are welcome. This organization will have varying levels of assistance from a collection of supporting documents to 1 on 1 coaching through a PTCAS application cycle.
NEW**Current PT/New Graduates: Facilitate connections w/ clinicians, faculty, and researchers with common interests to assist in career journey. Assist with NPTE Prep via weekly quizzes and 1 on 1 mentorship.
WHO WE SERVE
ALL of the above with an intention to support underrepresented groups within our profession to diversify our workforce and meet the needs of the communities we serve.
ROOTS
In a field where 3% of physical therapists identify as African American the sense of belonging is always a question. Are you good enough to get into PT school? Are you good enough to succeed in PT school? Will you be a successful clinician?
LIFE
As a 2nd generation Nigerian American, I carved a path in my journey with many wins and losses. I often gave so much to the process in my journey to be a physical therapist that I lost myself. I missed family gatherings, missed trips to Nigeria to see family, and missed things I loved. I felt unsettled, alone, and extremely challenged at times. But for 6 years in the midst of these feelings I have been a line of comfort for students applying to PT school.
GROWTH
This role of providing a support system for people looking to take a leap in PT means a lot to me. It means a lot to make space in the profession for anyone that wants to belong to the profession I love. Especially people of color, because wherever you are in your journey I BELIEVE you BELONG in our profession and rightfully deserve to be here.
I present Live & Grow Mentorship as a life line to pre-pt students - there is no blueprint or perfect formula. There is an opportunity for me to meet you wherever you are in your journey, No matter what you go through always know I believe you belong.
LIVE & GROW | LOVE & LIGHT | TODAY & TOMORROW
Fall 2024 Update
3 Live & Grow: Physiotherapy to USA Inquiries - Guidelines for Nigerian and Ghanian Trained Physiotherapists to transition to a clinician in US
2024 Global Health Series - Global Population Health Blog presenting written work of international physiotherapists
2024 Pre-PT Mentee - Accepted and attending 1st Year of DPT Program as of Fall 2024 :: Messiah University
2024 LGM Mentees - 4 Graduates from DPT Programs in 2024 (One attending pelvic health residency)
2024 LGM Mentees - 3 Graduates on schedule for graduation from DPT programs in 2025 and 2026
2024 Pre-PT Mentee - Day N Night Tier - Planning for 2025 Application
2024 Collaboration - Successful collab with Physical Rehab Exposure Program (PREP) for internship/mentorship placements for 8 DC High School Students
2024 Collaboration - Successful sponsorship of Florida Physical Therapy Association (FPTA) Student Special Interest Group Running Challenge
2024 International Presentation - Presentation of "A DEI Journey : A Walkway of Choice" at the 3rd Global Congress on Innovations in Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation Medicine hosted in Istanbul, Turkey on September 25th 2024
2025 Collaboration - Physical Rehab Exposure Program (PREP) Washington DC High School Guest Presentation placements for 2024-25 school year are ongoing
2025 Collaboration - International Association of Nigerian Physical Therapist (IANPT) - Planning for virtual webinar for nigerian physiotherapy students and in person global health contributions to various health systems in Nigeria :::
Accepted DPT Program List - 18 Programs Nationally
MEET THE FOUNDER
Dr. Mike Ukoha PT, DPT
-
Mentoring Pre-PT students applying to DPT programs since 2014
-
APTA Maryland Director of DEI 2020-23
-
2022 UMB PTRS Alum of the Year
Pre-Physical Therapy Students
Current Doctor of Physical Therapy Students
Current Physical Therapy Assistant Students
New DPT Graduates


Listen:

Testomonials
"Mike was a huge resource fo me and I attribute his help as part of the reason why I got into UMB. Mike genuinely wants to see people succeed and I can't recommend him enough!"
"People like you still give a good name to not only the profession but humanity. You’re selflessness does not go unnoticed."
"Mike was also able to provide insight and advice to myself during my application process, making himself available to answer any questions or concerns I may have had."