天美传媒

by Alison Kohler

It was entirely听an accident that the two women chose to pursue careers in physical therapy. Seniors Nora Elbassiony and Erin Kuchlewski, both majoring in at Adelphi, are concluding their studies this May in preparation for their continued education within the program. And they got their by similar and unexpected routes. After sustaining injuries in athletics,听they听each decided to pursue careers in physical therapy.

鈥淚鈥檝e been playing basketball since I was 4 years old,鈥� Elbassiony said. 鈥淚 was a sophomore in high school [when] I slightly tore my meniscus. I was just getting recruited by colleges before it happened.鈥�

When she was told she needed an MRI and physical therapy, she said she was reluctant. 鈥淚 told my mom I wasn鈥檛 going,鈥� Elbassiony said, although that quickly changed. 鈥淚 fell in love with the people who were rehabilitating me,鈥� she said.

Her decision to receive physical therapy is what led her to Adelphi. 鈥淭he other schools did not have exercise science or pre-physical therapy, so I needed to decide if I would play basketball in college or focus on my future,鈥� she said.

Kuchlewski鈥檚 decision to focus on physical therapy came about after she had already been attending Adelphi. A dancer since age 3, Kuchlewski sustained a tear in the labrum of her shoulder while on the University dance team. 鈥淔reshman year, I came in with plans to become a forensic pathologist,” she said. “I had shoulder surgery four days before Christmas, and I was in physical therapy for close to 10 months.鈥�

She said she enjoyed the achievements of being able to brush her hair and her teeth and not rely on someone else. 鈥淚t鈥檚 also about the mental feat that you鈥檙e gaining your independence back,鈥� she said.

Independence achieved: Adelphi鈥檚 exercise science program provided both students the education and experience they needed to get accepted into a competitive graduate school.

鈥淎delphi has not only prepared me academically, but it has prepared me in a hands-on way鈥攖he classes and experiences offered through the adult fitness program and the [to help overweight teens create a healthy lifestyle]. It鈥檚 [unlike] any other program,” Kuchlewski said. “As a physical therapist, you鈥檙e going to be hands-on every day. Adelphi prepared [me] for that.鈥�

Elbassiony had praise for her professors and fellow students. 鈥淚 never had a problem when I asked a professor to help me out,” she said. “They were always willing to help me. They were able to tell me what was correct or incorrect, and no one gave me the easy way out. No one said I was perfect or that my work was great, because no one is.”

The atmosphere and campus were attractive to the prospective students.

A native of Brooklyn, New York, Elbassiony said she was looking for something different.

鈥淚 was nervous at first starting at Adelphi,” she said. “I鈥檓 a city kid. It was a perfect fit for me. The people were different. The campus was not too big or too small. The classes are small, compared with other colleges, and they had my major.”

Kuchlewski, who hails from Valley Stream, New York, is the daughter of a pair of proud Adelphi alumni. 鈥淭hey both talked so highly of it,” she said. “It was such a great atmosphere, and it has great programs.”

Kuchlewski said she is very excited about starting at NYU Steinhardt this summer, noting that the three-and-half-year physical therapy program begins in June, just three weeks after her graduation. 鈥淭his is my top choice for grad school,” she said. “Adelphi greatly prepared me for this. The opportunity is one in a million. I鈥檓 very grateful for Adelphi because they鈥檝e opened my eyes to so many opportunities, and I honestly couldn鈥檛 thank them enough for it.”

Elbassiony said she looks forward to combining her interests in basketball and physical therapy after her D.P.T. program concludes.

鈥淚鈥檓 hoping [one day] I can open my own physical therapy facility and basketball clinic,鈥� she听said.

Although the accidental injuries touched off years-long pursuits, both said they were pleased with their choices, especially the one to attend Adelphi for their undergraduate degrees.

鈥淚t鈥檚 the best choice that I ever made, and I can鈥檛 imagine my life if I didn鈥檛 go [here],鈥� Elbassiony said.

Kuchlewski echoed the sentiment.

鈥淭he Adelphi community not only cares about your academics, they care for you as a person,” she said. “It is the relationships with faculty and students that facilitate growth of the whole person. I have gained leadership opportunities as a Delta Gamma that I will take with me on my future endeavors.”