It was quite a year in the life of Connecticut Gamma Caitlin Reid. She was a high school athlete with an ACL tear and had to endure six months of physical therapy. She worked tirelessly through the motions, transitioning from the stationary bike to muscle strengthening exercises to learning to balance on a wobble board and finally attempting to walk with a resistance belt around her waist.

At times, when Caitlin wanted to give in, her physical therapist Mitch would remind her: “the harder you work in sessions, the sooner you get back to doing what you love – playing sports.” It was his optimism during this difficult time in her life that helped Caitlin make the decision to study Physical Therapy as a future career.

I asked, “How did Mitch feel when you told him what you wanted to do?”

“He was really excited,” says Caitlin. Mitch even allowed Caitlin to do shadow hours with him. According to Caitlin, he was “all too happy to let me shadow him at his clinic.” Caitlin enrolled at Quinnipiac University because of its very reputable combined bachelor’s of science in Athletic Training and Doctor of Physical Therapy degree.

Considered a senior in her undergraduate work, Caitlin is taking time to enjoy this year before she starts the rigorous three years of the graduate program. She has served as Historian for Pi Beta Phi and loves writing a piece of history for the chapter. She is President of the Irish Club preparing for their upcoming Potatopalooza philanthropy event. Additionally, she is looking forward to the campus’ annual The Big Event, in which Quinnipiac students participate in service projects in the community. Caitlin is an incredible woman with a wonderful heart for helping others and I am so proud to call her a sister!