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

​

Spring 2026 Update

​

2026 LGM Mentees: 2 Graduates from DPT Programs in 2026 (2 slated for graduation in 2027) 

​

2026 Pre-PT Mentees - 1 accepted and attending 1st year of DPT Program as of Summer 2026. (1 slated to apply for DPT programs Summer of 2026)

​

2026 Live & Grow Live - Career Day - Shady Grove Middle School - Gaithersburg, Maryland

​

2025 International Presentation - December 2025 - Beyond Our Intentions: The Hidden Impact of Implicit Bias Training - Presented at 5th Global Congress on Advanced Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Science in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

​

2025 Certification - November 2025 Cohort Graduate - Harvard University Online Course - Make Better Decisions: The Psychology of Blind Spots for Leaders and Teams  - Hosted by Professor Mahzarin Banaji​

​

2025 Live & Grow Live - October 2025 - Parkinson's Disease - Physical Therapy Essentials - In collaboration with Parkinson's Foundation

​

2025 Webinar - Beat The Heat: Helping Patients & Communities Stay Safe - NJ Chapter of American Academy of Pediatrics

​​

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

​​​

​

Accepted DPT Program List - 19 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

​

​

​

​