school
Donation protected
Hi everyone! :) My name is Karrah Peters and I am a third year Doctor of Physical Therapy student at Hunter College in NYC. I’d like to begin by first thanking God for bringing me this far.
As a first generation doctor (to be), it is my mission to spread the importance of Physical Therapy within my community as well as with underserved communities around the world. As a minority student, and not seeing many other students and Physical Therapists that look like me, I have learned that one major reason for the lack of representation in the industry as well as the limited amount of African American patients who seek such care is because we are simply not exposed to it.
As a person of color, it is my moral responsibility to educate as many African American students and potential patients about the gravity of this profession. By doing so, I aim to decrease barriers, while creating a space where underrepresented students can positively impact their communities. Seeing only 3 black Physical Therapists since the start of my PT career and being the only black student in CUNY Hunter College’s DPT class of 2023, I now understand the true meaning of “you can’t become what you don’t see”. As a diverse student and soon to be healthcare provider, my presence and experience allows for greater inclusion of future black physical therapy students and black physical therapists. Sharing my story through social media platforms (@napturally_KPT on Instagram & Napturally KPT on YouTube) and presenting at career fairs are some ways in which I am able to use my experience while educating prospective minority PT students.
Like the number of African American Physical Therapists (only 2.5% ), traveling is also a rare commodity for the members of my community (Crown Heights section of Brooklyn, NY). My passion for travel was birthed during my undergraduate studies while taking an Art History class. I learned that many people in my community and many African Americans, on a whole, do not travel. Whether it be due to limited finances or simply not deeming it as a necessity, traveling is vital. Travel allows you to create unmatched opportunities with strangers by sharing cultures and experiences; it changes your perspective. Travel builds character and has the ability to transform one's mindset by finding joy in God's creation. Travel reduces stress and anxiety. It brings joy.
With traveling to Hawaii to complete my clinical rotation, I will be afforded an immeasurable opportunity to change the narrative and aid in the progression of the field of PT for people of color. For this 8 week clinical affiliation, I will be at an orthopedic outpatient facility treating patients with but not limited to: fractures, pregnancies and postpartum pain, post surgery, muscle strains, fibromyalgia, rotator cuff injuries, cervical pain, nerve pain and so much more.
I thank you all for your support in my endeavor in becoming the first doctor in my family. This money will be used for my housing, transportation and living expenses.
As a first generation doctor (to be), it is my mission to spread the importance of Physical Therapy within my community as well as with underserved communities around the world. As a minority student, and not seeing many other students and Physical Therapists that look like me, I have learned that one major reason for the lack of representation in the industry as well as the limited amount of African American patients who seek such care is because we are simply not exposed to it.
As a person of color, it is my moral responsibility to educate as many African American students and potential patients about the gravity of this profession. By doing so, I aim to decrease barriers, while creating a space where underrepresented students can positively impact their communities. Seeing only 3 black Physical Therapists since the start of my PT career and being the only black student in CUNY Hunter College’s DPT class of 2023, I now understand the true meaning of “you can’t become what you don’t see”. As a diverse student and soon to be healthcare provider, my presence and experience allows for greater inclusion of future black physical therapy students and black physical therapists. Sharing my story through social media platforms (@napturally_KPT on Instagram & Napturally KPT on YouTube) and presenting at career fairs are some ways in which I am able to use my experience while educating prospective minority PT students.
Like the number of African American Physical Therapists (only 2.5% ), traveling is also a rare commodity for the members of my community (Crown Heights section of Brooklyn, NY). My passion for travel was birthed during my undergraduate studies while taking an Art History class. I learned that many people in my community and many African Americans, on a whole, do not travel. Whether it be due to limited finances or simply not deeming it as a necessity, traveling is vital. Travel allows you to create unmatched opportunities with strangers by sharing cultures and experiences; it changes your perspective. Travel builds character and has the ability to transform one's mindset by finding joy in God's creation. Travel reduces stress and anxiety. It brings joy.
With traveling to Hawaii to complete my clinical rotation, I will be afforded an immeasurable opportunity to change the narrative and aid in the progression of the field of PT for people of color. For this 8 week clinical affiliation, I will be at an orthopedic outpatient facility treating patients with but not limited to: fractures, pregnancies and postpartum pain, post surgery, muscle strains, fibromyalgia, rotator cuff injuries, cervical pain, nerve pain and so much more.
I thank you all for your support in my endeavor in becoming the first doctor in my family. This money will be used for my housing, transportation and living expenses.
Organizer
Karrah Peters
Organizer
Brooklyn, NY