130. Building the Next Generation with Physical Therapist Margaret Pittman

130. Building the Next Generation with Physical Therapist Margaret Pittman

Introducing Margaret Pittman

Today I’m talking to physical therapist Dr. Margaret Pittman about building the next generation.

Her Career Journey

Margaret earned her bachelor’s in kinesiology and exercise science from Towson University before earning her DPT from the University of Southern California. She’s a board-certified orthopedic specialist and is currently earner her MBA from George Washington University. She’s currently a PT at Momentous Sports Medicine and an adjunct assistant professor in physical therapy at GW. Margaret is an executive board member of the USC Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy Black Alumni Association.

Building the Next Generation

Margaret is doing a lot to make sure that the next generations of physical therapists are exposed to the field and see themselves represented within it. She’s reaching students through virtual talks and her professional Instagram page, making sure that the increasingly diverse populations of students in physical therapy programs can see mentors who look like themselves. Margaret’s building the next generation and hoping to finally see the number of Black PTs break past 5%.

Inside this episode:

  • Margaret tells the students she works with that it’s never too early to start picking the brains of people you look up to about their career journies and that it’s never too late to change your mind.
  • Margaret was able to negotiate in her first job out of school and was able to work in both orthopedic and neuro PT.
  • She shares the story of how she became an adjunct assistant professor at GW and how it came from one of her students who knew about her passions and aspirations for teaching. The opportunity presented itself because she shared her goals with others who were able to advocate for her, behind the scenes.
  • Margaret was approached by a classmate from USC to help form the Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy Black Alumni Association. They’re helping to meet the needs of a diversifying study body and helping the school serve the east LA community around it.
  • She’s reaching high school students through former Madam Athlete guest Andrea Durham’s organization, Minority Women in Sports Medicine. 
  • Margaret is studying innovation and entrepreneurship in her MBA at GW now, fueled by past experiences trying to open her own practice. She shares that it’s okay to pivot, and while it may feel like a failure in the moment, there are lessons to learn in all opportunities.

Resources

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