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Undergraduate Programs

Alumni Profile: Nate Cercavschi C’10

Nate Cercavschi, Pre-Physical Therapy alumnus

BS, Athletic Training

At least something good came out of a soccer-related knee injury that sidelined Nate Cercavschi C’2010 at age 12. The experience sparked a passion for physical therapy, which Nate had to undergo to rehabilitate the torn cartilage in his knee. When it came time to look into colleges, he found that ϳԹ’s offered the hands-on approach, small class size, and clinical affiliations that would help him to achieve his goal of becoming a physical therapist.

Now about to begin his final year of a doctorate of physical therapy degree at Midwestern University, Nate has found his experience on the pre-physical therapy track at ϳԹ prepared him well. “Throughout all my graduate classes and clinicals, I have used my athletic training background at ϳԹ to keep me one step ahead of the curve and concentrate my academics on sports medicine and athletic injuries,” he said.

At ϳԹ, he found support and encouragement from faculty, who helped him select courses and find internships that matched his interests. He credits this individual attention with helping him find opportunities that fostered his passion for athletic training and his desire to pursue physical therapy. In one internship, for example, he learned the foundations of creating an individualized plan of care and how to manage multiple cases simultaneously.

After graduation, Nate plans to begin a career as a full-time physical therapist with a focus on the mechanics of sport and sport-specific rehabilitation. “Without a doubt, I believe that the education and experiences that ϳԹ offered me will always be a part of what I do and what I aim to do in the future,” he said.