Mary Benedict is a candidate for the nominating committee chair-elect on the Student Assembly Board of Directors.
I have realized that without the leaders and mentors I have met through APTA I would not be in the position I am today. This realization is what has led me to run for Nominating Committee chair-elect. I am excited to be able to mentor, encourage, and inspire other students across the nation to find their niche and assist them in finding ways to use their passion. I believe that all physical therapy students have the potential to lead, create positive change, and to make a difference in the lives of others; it is the essence of our profession.
As the Nominating Committee chair-elect, I will be dedicated to serving the student body and recruiting students to be involved in the organization. I plan to target "foundations of physical therapy" type classes in order to reach first-year students and get them involved early. Encouraging early involvement in any role (including project committees, core ambassador roles, and student representatives) will allow students the time to seek out their interests while in school and develop their passion. I also plan to set up a mentorship program so that any students who need help along the way will know where to turn.
I am well qualified for this position; I have been able to foster leadership and interpersonal skills in a variety of settings within the physical therapy profession and interprofessionally. This past year I was accepted into the interprofessional Presidential Scholars Program and was honored to be an invited speaker on the topic of the Interprofessional Caregiver Interview: Enhancing Caring/Compassion in Student Health Professionals at the Medical University of South Carolina. I have been involved in the Student Assembly of APTA as the 2012 South Carolina core ambassador and am currently a member of the Loop Project Committee. Locally, I am a member of the SCAPTA Conference Planning Committee, and I have attended political fundraisers and PT day at the statehouse in support of our profession.
With these experiences, I’ve acquired important skills which I hope to use not only to better my path in physical therapy but to advance the physical therapy profession as a whole. I hope to serve as a role model and mentor, as well as be a mentee to those who have come before me.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to run for Nominating Committee chair-elect and for your support!