Name: Myisha Hayes
IG Handle: BeautifullyMade_82
Facebook page: Myisha Hayes
Profession: Physical Therapist
Jen: Have you always known that you would work in your current field?
Dr. Hayes: I always saw myself working in the medical field but it was not until my Junior year in college when I realized in what capacity.
Jen: When did you first become interested in physical therapy?
Dr. Hayes: I remember being a Sophomore in high school when the Science Club visited University Central Arkansas campus and we learned about the Physical Therapy profession and their program. I thought to myself I would like to do that.
Jen: Describe the training necessary to become a Doctor of Physical Therapy.
Dr. Hayes: You have to have a Bachelor’s degree, prerequisites courses, Science GPA of 3.0 and 30 hours of observation to apply. There is an interview process along with letters of recommendation and GRE. Physical Therapy school is 3 years with curriculum includes 124 credits (graduate level). You progress from foundation sciences and skills to application to patient care concluding with full-time clinical internship rotations at clinical education facilities.
Jen: How long have you been practicing?
Dr. Hayes: 8.5 years
Jen: Talk about one of the most challenging experiences you had on the road to becoming a Physical Therapist?
Dr. Hayes: Initially I had to wait a year to complete the prerequisite courses in order to apply to school. Matriculating through the program was very demanding but the hardest was passing my board exam to practice as a licensed therapist. I did not pass on my first attempt.
Jen: What is the most rewarding part of your career?
Dr. Hayes: Helping people get their quality of life back. Helping someone achieve their goal of walking again when they have been told it may be impossible.
Jen: How is the work life balance?
Dr. Hayes: I have to make it a point to check in with me. As a healthcare professional you are always taking care of others so I have to take time out for self care which for me includes a massage, facial or a pedicure.
Jen: Is there any singular event that prepared you for your career or was it a culmination of experiences?
Dr. Hayes: It was a culmination of me working as a Rehab Technician in college, having personal experiences with family members needing therapy and my drive that was fueled by me wanting to have a better future for myself and my future children.
Jen: What is your advice for anyone who wants to become a physical therapist?
Dr. Hayes: Make sure you make yourself a strong candidate by having a good Science GPA and really spend time shadowing a therapist or even become a Rehab technician so you can see if this is something you want to pursue.
Jen: Who has been the biggest influence on your career?
Dr. Hayes: I did not know anyone who was a Physical Therapist so my admiration is for anyone who has excelled professionally with a specialty or certifications. Im most inspired by people who are true experts in what they do.
Jen: What is the most influential piece of advice you have ever received?
Dr. Hayes: To have confidence in yourself and the patient will have confidence in you.
Jen: Any other comments?
Dr. Hayes: As a profession, we lack representation of minorities, particularly African Americans. I would like to bring more exposure to the profession as well as make sure we are better prepared applicants.
