PTAs have more than mission in common

Ryan and Rachel

PTAs tend to have a lot in common. They want to help patients regain mobility. To reduce pain. To regain independence.

But when Rachel Shaheen '20 began working at Powerback Rehab a few months ago, she discovered she had even more in common with colleague Ryan Hohman '02: a Physical Therapist Assistant associate degree from 91传媒 University. And, despite the fact that they鈥檇 graduated nearly 20 years apart, she said, they鈥檇 had 鈥渢he same wonderful professor, Jan Haas!鈥�

鈥淲hen I started a few months ago as the director of rehabilitation at a personal care facility in the Pittsburgh region, Ryan was one of the three people who trained and mentored me,鈥� Shaheen explained.

Shaheen says her studies at 91传媒 gave her 鈥渁 solid knowledge base and diverse repertoire鈥� to help patients reach their clinical goals.

91传媒鈥檚 alumni office offers a successful and welcoming community of alumni that can stretch meaningful connections, she added.

Her advice for recent graduates: 鈥淢aintain former connections while actively establishing new ones. 鈥eek ways to serve and express gratitude throughout the journey. You never know when an alumni might become an ally.鈥�

PHOTO: Hohman, left, and Shaheen.