麻豆视频 DPT Graduate Aron Rodriguez

Aron's Comeback Story

 

At first, Aron Javier Rodriguez DPT鈥22 tried to 鈥渓one wolf it,鈥 as he put it, at 麻豆视频 while pursuing his dream of a doctorate in physical therapy.

鈥淚 thought I could study hard, mind my own business,鈥 said the 26-year-old, Bronx born-and-bred Dominican American. But he realized quickly, he said, that the rigorous Doctorate in Physical Therapy program demanded he join study groups and reach out to professors.

鈥淚鈥檓 not going to lie to you,鈥 he continued. 鈥淚 was like a fish out of water. Only person from the Bronx. Only Hispanic person. I鈥檓 used to New York City, where there鈥檚 so much diversity. It was a bit of a culture shock.鈥

 

 

Still, Rodriguez made his comeback and found success鈥攆or nearly a year, he has worked as a physical therapist at JAG-ONE Physical Therapy in Yonkers, N.Y.鈥攖hanks in good part to Alvernia鈥檚 welcoming atmosphere. 鈥淚 had to step out of my comfort zone and reach out to others in order to really succeed in this program,鈥 he said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what I did. Everyone in school, faculty to fellow students, embraced me.鈥

At the white coat ceremony, Rodriguez received Alvernia鈥檚 Servant Leader Award for serving as an interpreter during clinicals with Reading鈥檚 Spanish-speaking community. 鈥淎s physical therapists,鈥 he said, recalling the speech he gave on the importance of servant leadership, 鈥渨e have a responsibility to serve the community, serve patients, help them feel better. I encouraged my fellow classmates to keep learning, keep striving ahead, and always have the heart of the servant.鈥

Rodriguez has long had those qualities, choosing physical therapy as a profession to make an impact on others. As an undergraduate at City University of New York鈥檚 Herbert H. Lehman College, he found his passion for exercise, pursing both his own fitness journey and a major in kinesiology and exercise science even as he worked jobs on campus.

 

"I had to step out of my comfort zone and reach out to others in order to really succeed in this program. That鈥檚 what I did. Everyone in school, faculty to fellow students, embraced me.鈥

鈥淲hen I was younger, I was always skinny,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 wanted to build some muscle. With exercise science, I learned how to do that properly. I want to have a good quality of life overall, and I want to help others have a good quality of life too and show them the importance of exercise.鈥

After graduating in 2018, Rodriguez continued to work on campus and save money before applying to graduate schools. He focused on New York state but added Alvernia to the list because it was near his father, who had moved recently to Reading.

Good thing. It turned out to be the only school that gave him an opportunity, he said, 鈥渢o chase my dreams.鈥

During the three-year program, Rodriguez did clinicals in acute care at Reading Hospital and at PT practices outside Reading and in New York state, including JAG-ONE. Alvernia, he said, 鈥渨ent above and beyond,鈥 making the New York rotations possible, even though the practices are not among the program鈥檚 usual partners.

Rodriguez said his experiences at Alvernia鈥檚 DPT program taught him much more than just the specifics of physical therapy. 鈥淚 feel I鈥檝e grown truly as an individual, as a therapist,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 was closed off and reserved in the beginning. I came out of my shell. I stepped out of my comfort zone. I鈥檓 very grateful for that.鈥

Physical Therapy 3+3

Degree Type:
Doctor of Physical Therapy
College:
Physical Therapy 3+3
Location:
  • Reading Campus
Credit Hours:
0

Doctor of Physical Therapy

Degree Type:
Doctor of Physical Therapy
College:
College of Health Sciences
Location:
  • Hybrid
Program Type:
Doctoral
Credit Hours:
121