DPT Student Finds Family at Campbell, 8,000 Miles from Home

Hi! My name is Filomen Llegado, and I am a second year Doctor of Physical Therapy student at Campbell University!

My interest in physical therapy (PT) began when I was young. Two of my older sisters went on to become nurses and, while I was passionate about the healthcare field, I wanted to pursue a career that would allow me to build meaningful relationships while also helping people regain their independence and confidence in their bodies. I chose PT as a profession because it embraces a holistic approach when caring for patients. During my observation hours both in undergrad and here at Campbell during Community Wellness days, I’ve seen PTs and student physical therapists (SPT) treat patients as whole individuals rather than focusing solely on an injury. In many cases, especially in direct access states, PTs are the first healthcare providers patients see, which creates a unique opportunity for us to build trust, listen to their concerns, and advocate for them from the very beginning. That patient-centered role is what truly draws me to this profession and community.

My journey to Campbell is unique in that it began far from where I am now, both geographically and personally. I am from Guam, and I was the first in my family to apply to a graduate program. At the time, I didn’t fully know what I was doing or what to expect, but I was surrounded by an incredible support system back home. My family, friends, and the physical therapists I shadowed believed in me and encouraged me through every step of the application process, especially during moments of self-doubt. When it came to applying for PT school, proximity to relatives and the program’s mission were strong determining factors, which made Campbell University a great choice for me.

Moving to North Carolina, which is nearly 8,000 miles away from Guam, was a major transition. I graduated from the University of Guam on May 25 and left home just a few days later to relocate here a week before the program started. It was the first time I had ever been so far from home and completely on my own. At first, the move was challenging since communication with my family & friends decreased due to the large time zone difference. Despite this, my peers in the program quickly became a strong source of support, making the move feel far less overwhelming. Everyone’s encouragement, support, and sense of community helped me settle in and find my footing.

I feel that this program’s mission is to ensure that all students transform into
knowledgeable healthcare providers that genuinely care for their patients.

I feel a sense of belonging in Campbell’s DPT program because of my strong work ethic and my desire to learn. Since beginning this program, I have learned a lot about this field and although it can be challenging at times, I dedicate a lot of my time to trying to better understand & learn the course material to ensure that I become a very skilled PT. I also feel as though all of the professors, staff, and student mentors at Campbell have had a very great impact on me so far. Since my first day of classes at Campbell, everyone I have interacted with has offered to help me. Whenever I schedule meetings with my professors to discuss exams or to hold a practical session to review my performance, they all provide very helpful feedback that reinforces my understanding of the material, especially topics that aren’t clear to me at first. All of the faculty I’ve interacted with have been extremely supportive of me and my learning, and the friends I made along the way in this program make it feel like a home away from home.

I love how the program presents a holistic approach to PT, especially with the integration of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) model that we learned during our first semester of PT school. I feel that this program’s mission is to ensure that all students transform into knowledgeable healthcare providers that genuinely care for their patients. This strongly aligns with my personal goal of becoming an understanding, and compassionate healthcare provider for my future patients. My experiences in hospitals and doctors’ offices have shown me the true value and impact of healthcare providers who genuinely care for their patients.

My dream job is to be an inpatient physical therapist. While I’m not entirely sure what specialty I would want to focus on, I am currently considering careers in Cardiovascular & Pulmonary or Neurology. But more broadly, I would love the opportunity to be in a position where I can directly assist patients and make them feel as though their doctor genuinely cares about them and views them as more than just a person with an injury.

I am very excited to start clinicals, as I am looking forward to applying everything I have learned in my classes in a practical, hands-on setting. Although I have shadowed in both hospitals and outpatient settings before, I feel as though I can contribute more using knowledge obtained through the courses I’ve taken here at Campbell. Despite my occasional fear of making small mistakes, I look forward to growing in confidence and building meaningful professional relationships with patients as I approach my goal of becoming a DPT!