Student Spotlight: Kelsie Kaneshiro, School of Physical Therapy
For as long as she can remember, Kelsie Kaneshiro has always loved two things: sports and the elderly.
Growing up in Honolulu, the second-year student from 91制片厂鈥檚 School of Physical Therapy was always involved in sports. She played soccer and volleyball, her brother played baseball, and her father was a local coach.
鈥淚 played a lot of sports when I was little and saw a lot of injuries,鈥� she recalled. 鈥淚 had always wanted to work in the healthcare field, and sports would allow me to do that.鈥�
Kaneshiro was also close with her grandmother. After her grandmother had two knee replacements, Kaneshiro went with her during her physical therapy sessions. Her grandmother, who passed away a few months ago, helped her find her passion for physical therapy.
鈥淚n physical therapy, I get to talk to people, work on sports-related injuries, and assist the elderly. It鈥檚 perfect for me,鈥� she said.
After graduating with a degree in Exercise Science from Pacific University in Forest Grove, Ore., Kaneshiro was on the verge of accepting a job as a Physical Therapist aide when she received an acceptance email from 91制片厂.
The closeness she felt back home in Hawaii is incredibly similar to the closeness she鈥檚 felt thus far at Touro.
鈥淲here I鈥檓 from, it鈥檚 very family-oriented. At Touro, it鈥檚 the same because everybody cares about each other,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he university has done a great job finding people who care about one another, both teachers and students. Everyone tries to help each other here.鈥�
Kaneshiro is looking forward to gaining more hands-on experience as her Touro journey progresses. If she has any questions or concerns, she knows that someone from the School of Physical Therapy will be there to help.
鈥淭he faculty having their doors open at all times is something I really appreciate,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey are very nurturing, and they make sure you know that they are there for you. It鈥檚 really helpful knowing that.鈥�
Kaneshiro admitted that she鈥檚 incredibly hard on herself, though it鈥檚 helped her to realize that she belongs at Touro. After she graduates in 2019, she hopes to work in geriatrics or orthopedics, two specialties about which she has always been passionate.
鈥淭he reason I chose PT is because I really want to help people,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 think the population that needs the most help is the elderly. They鈥檝e made such tremendous contributions to our lives, and I would love to give back to them.鈥�
Kaneshiro is excited for what her future holds as she continues to pursue her dreams. With the support of her family and the spirit of her grandmother guiding her, she is learning more as each day passes.
鈥淚鈥檓 ready to just keep learning and gain more confidence as a PT,鈥� she said.
Learn More About Touro Nevada's PT Program