91ÖÆƬ³§

On any given day, Patrick Kelly walks into a jam-packed arena. He double checks his gear, laces his shoes and prepares to step on the wrestling mat. On others, he packs his scrubs, stethoscope and school supplies to prepare for a full day of classes.

Kelly, a first-year nursing major and member of the wrestling team, is learning how to balance a rigorous academic program with his athletic passions.

Torn ligaments, strained muscles, and tendonitis are among the most common injuries in sports. Athletes are injured all the time. But behind every great comeback story is a clinician guiding every step of the return to greatness.

Across the country, there are more than 310,000 physical therapists with active licenses to help support that work. Third-year exercise science student Jahlil Gary hopes to join the growing number of physical therapists in athletics.

From age six to eighteen, third-year exercise science student Annie Finholm devoted countless hours to competitive gymnastics. During one practice her world was turned upside-down. Anyone who's watched gymnastics has seen the dangerous yet impressive vault event. We all hold our breath as gymnasts sprint, launch, and attempt near-perfect landings.

For her, that moment became more than a spectacle. During a vault attempt, the skill didn’t unfold the way it was supposed to, and Finholm sustained a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) that ended her run in the 2021-22 season. The injury left her unable to compete, attend school or even read a book.

From then on, Finholm set her hopes on becoming an orthopedic physician assistant working with athletes facing similar situations.

Sophomore health science major David Chicu is building a foundation for a future career in military preventive medicine through 91ÖÆƬ³§’s Army ROTC program. A first-generation student and ROTC scholarship recipient, Chicu combines academic study, military training and hands-on experiences as he prepares for a career serving in the U.S. Army’s medical system.

Meet Natalie, a senior culinary arts and science major who's passionate about helping individuals with food sensitivities feel confident and comfortable eating and preparing delicious meals without fear of allergens. Her work is driven by a co-op experience that turned into a passion to make food accessible and enjoyable for others. Get a glimpse into her interests and passions in the culinary field!