UOG Nursing Alum Accepted into Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
UOG Nursing Alum Accepted into Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
UOG Nursing Alum Accepted into Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
9/5/2024
Steven Kasala has dedicated the last nine years working as a registered nurse, but he will soon explore a different branch of healthcare. This fall, Kasala will be entering the hybrid Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Tufts University School of Medicine in Seattle, Washington. He is also the recipient of a Tufts DPT scholarship that awards almost $13,000 towards tuition for the accelerated, two-year program.
Laying the Groundwork
After graduating from UOG in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and securing his RN license, Kasala worked in both outpatient and inpatient settings at the Guam Regional Medical City, ultimately specializing in wound care.
He said his time as a nursing student and working professional helped him build a strong foundation in healthcare, not only through learning fundamental subjects like anatomy and pathophysiology, but also through understanding the importance of compassionate patient care and communication.
Branching Out
The skills and knowledge Kasala gained as a nurse were beneficial when he made the decision to take his medical career in a new direction. Physical therapy was the ideal choice, as it will allow him to continue helping patients but in a way that more closely aligns with his passions.
“As a PT, I can work with patients and treat them with exercise, which I love doing,” Kasala said. He eventually wants to specialize in sports physical therapy.
After researching what he needed to start the journey to become a physical therapist, Kasala returned to UOG as a non-degree student to take prerequisite courses required for DPT programs. He also sought an internship at NewGen Physical Therapy, where he was later hired as a physical therapy aide, in order to gain practical experience.
Helping Patients in Different Ways
While Kasala admits that switching from nursing to physical therapy is an unconventional career move, he sees the value of developing expertise in both professions.
“Holistic patient care is a collaborative effort,” Kasala said. “You need different specialists—doctors, nurses, physical therapists, social workers, to name a few—working together to help a patient get better and move forward in their life.”
With plans to earn his physical therapy license after graduating from Tufts and still maintain his RN license, Kasala is determined to be a capable practitioner in both disciplines. “I’m excited to continue to grow and expand the type of care I am able to offer patients in need,” Kasala said.