Highbar Physical therapy & Health blog

To the December graduating class of physical therapists,

First, congratulations. Truly! You’ve made it through years of lectures, labs, exams, clinical rotations, and no small amount of self-doubt. Can I really do this? You can. And you did. You’ve learned to listen carefully and think critically, and care deeply. Those skills matter. They are the foundation of the clinician and the leader you are becoming. Pause for a moment and be proud. 

When I think back to my own days as a student in New Zealand, I remember feeling both excited and ‘a little’ overwhelmed. I grew up on a sheep farm and found my way to physical therapy after a sports injury at 15 changed the course of my life. A physical therapist (or physiotherapist, as we are called in New Zealand) helped me not only get back on the court, but also see what was possible when science, movement, and human connection come together. 

Over the next few years, you’ll meet patients on some of their hardest days, after injuries, surgeries, or long stretches of living with pain or limitations. You’ll be the one who listens, helps them understand what’s happening in their body, shows them what’s possible, and walks alongside them as they rebuild confidence in their movement and in themselves. One person at a time. This work adds up, leading to healthier families, stronger communities, and a better future because movement is a foundational component to well-being.

A few thoughts as you begin this next chapter:

• Stay curious. Your entry-level education may be ending, but your learning has just begun. The best clinicians are lifelong students of the research, of their patients, and of themselves. Curiosity is what allows our profession to keep evolving and to better serve the people in the communities we serve.
  
  
• Communicate clearly and kindly. Our patients rarely remember what we did during an evaluation, but they always remember how we made them feel. Your ability to listen, explain, encourage and empower is just as important as any manual skills. Connection and trust are the catalysts for real change.
  
  

• Embrace feedback. Early, - and truly throughout it - every colleague, mentor, and patient has something to teach you. Ask questions. Invite feedback. Use the feedback to learn, get better week after week, year after year. This is how we ‘grow forward’.  And a personal note: thank you. I am deeply grateful for the time I spend with students and early professionals—you teach me a great deal.
  
  
• Protect your joy. Better yet - Create Joy! Being a physical therapist is important and demanding work. Find the parts of the profession that light you up—whether that’s sports, pediatrics, geriatrics, pelvic health, or something else entirely. Give yourself permission to build a career that sustains you, so you can keep showing up for others over the long term. 

You’re entering the field at a transformative time. Physical therapists are increasingly becoming the first call for movement and physical well-being. Not just when something hurts, but when people want to feel better, move freely, and live fully. The choices you make- where and how you practice, how you lead, and how you advocate- will shape what our profession looks like in the decade ahead. Thank you for leading the way!

My hope is that you practice with both excellence and heart. With evidence-based care, while never losing sight of the human in front of you. Never commoditize the care you provide. Never think of a patient as a number. When you combine preparation, curiosity, communication, and compassion, and will change lives, often in ways you may never hear about. Over time, that impact extends far beyond the clinic walls. The ripple effect of your work will strengthen communities. You are a super hero!

Thank you for choosing this amazing profession. I cannot wait to see the careers you build, the communities you strengthen, and the countless people you help move with less pain and more confidence. 

On behalf of all of us at Highbar, congratulations, and welcome to the profession. We’re glad you’re here, and we can’t wait to see how you help more people feel better, move freely, and live fully. Join the movement and together we’ll create a better future - for more people.

With pride and excitement for your future,

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Dr. Michelle Collie, PT, DPT, MS
CEO, Highbar Physical Therapy

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