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.

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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. 

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WHO WE SERVE 

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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.

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ROOTS

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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?

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LIFE

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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.

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GROWTH

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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.

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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.

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LIVE & GROW | LOVE & LIGHT | TODAY & TOMORROW

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Fall 2024 Update

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 3 Live & Grow: Physiotherapy to USA Inquiries - Guidelines for Nigerian and Ghanian Trained Physiotherapists to transition to a clinician in US

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2024 Global Health Series - Global Population Health Blog presenting written work of international physiotherapists  

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2024 Pre-PT Mentee - Accepted and attending 1st Year of DPT Program as of Fall 2024 :: Messiah University

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2024 LGM Mentees - 4 Graduates from DPT Programs in 2024 (One attending pelvic health residency) 

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2024 LGM Mentees - 3 Graduates on schedule for graduation from DPT programs in 2025 and 2026

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2024 Pre-PT Mentee - Day N Night Tier - Planning for 2025 Application

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2024 Collaboration - Successful collab with Physical Rehab Exposure Program (PREP) for internship/mentorship placements for 8 DC High School Students

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2024 Collaboration - Successful sponsorship of Florida Physical Therapy Association (FPTA) Student Special Interest Group Running Challenge

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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

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2025 Collaboration - Physical Rehab Exposure Program (PREP) Washington DC High School Guest Presentation placements for 2024-25 school year are ongoing

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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 :::

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Accepted DPT Program List - 18 Programs Nationally

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MEET THE FOUNDER

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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

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