Student Spotlight: Danny Aldis, School of Occupational Therapy
If Danny Aldis never got into 91制片厂, chances are his life would be drastically different.
Aldis, who grew up in Carson City before graduating from the University of Nevada, Reno, came to Las Vegas after landing a job in law enforcement. Aldis spent 10 years as a police officer in Southern Nevada, but the psychology major always knew he wanted to work in the medical field.
鈥淥ne of my goals was to eventually get a higher degree after graduating from UNR,鈥� he said.
During his college years, Aldis worked with children with Autism as he studied applied behavioral analysis in school. Working at a behavioral center introduced him to occupational therapy, as well as his future wife. Shortly after graduation, he and his wife made the move down south. They would go on to have three daughters.
He knew that raising three girls and going to graduate school would not be easy, but Aldis powered through it. He eventually reduced his work schedule to part-time while completing his pre-requisite courses at both UNLV and Nevada State College.
After finishing his pre-requisites, it was time for Aldis to apply to graduate school. Despite being out of UNR for more than a decade working in a completely different field, Aldis was still enticed by occupational therapy.
鈥淥nce I began doing research, I saw how diverse occupational therapy was and how it could be applied to other fields,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 knew it would be good for me.鈥�
With a young family at home, Aldis knew his school options were limited. He sent in his application to 91制片厂, the only university in the state to offer an Occupational Therapy master鈥檚 program, and hoped for the best.
鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 move my family around. I鈥檝e got kids and a wife, so when I applied I said, 鈥榃ell, this is it,鈥欌�� he recalled. 鈥淚 better get in because I鈥檓 not sure what I鈥檓 going to do if I don鈥檛.鈥�
Aldis eventually landed an interview and found out about his acceptance two months later. It was a huge relief for the father of three, but the real work started once he began his studies.
鈥淭he first two semesters were so intense; very academic and demanding,鈥� he said. 鈥淗onestly, they were like drinking out of a fire hydrant. You鈥檙e just trying to retain whatever you can. But this semester, we鈥檙e taking what we learned in the classroom and applying it to real-life situations.鈥�
Despite the intense schedule, Aldis has found reprieve in the camaraderie he鈥檚 built with his fellow cohorts. He鈥檚 learned a great deal during his two semesters at Touro, a good situation to be in once graduation is here.
鈥淓very time I do a different fieldwork, I get more confused about what I want to do,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 went into one fieldwork and said, 鈥榃ell, that鈥檚 pretty cool!鈥� Then I got into hand therapy and thought to myself, 鈥榃ell, I also like that.鈥� At this point, it鈥檚 an open book for me.鈥�
Dr. Yvonne Randall, Director of the Occupational Therapy program, praised Aldis for his passion and dedication to the profession, including his collaborative efforts with students in both the Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy departments.
鈥淒anny has been thoroughly engaged in the courses and has sought out additional learning opportunities like volunteering in the monthly mobility clinic that provides community wheelchair evaluations for clients,鈥� Randall said. 鈥淒anny has a bright future ahead of him as an occupational therapist.鈥�
With three kids, a wife, and a full-time class schedule, prioritizing has gotten Aldis through his Touro experience. His free time is precious, though he enjoys spending it with his family. And while his journey hasn鈥檛 been easy, he knew that would be the case when he filled out his application.
鈥淚 have way more time now than I did in the beginning,鈥� he said with a laugh, 鈥渂ut, I鈥檓 not going on vacation anytime soon.鈥�
What he didn鈥檛 know, however, is what he鈥檇 be doing had he not gotten in. Thankfully, he doesn鈥檛 have to think about that anymore.
Learn More About Touro Nevada's OT Program