Celebrating Excellence in Occupational Therapy: Natalie P’s Inspiring Journey
Every year, AMN Healthcare is proud to award scholarships to outstanding students who show exceptional promise in the fields of Speech-Language Pathology, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and School Psychology. Today, we shine a spotlight on Natalie P., an Occupational Therapy student at the University of Texas at El Paso and the latest winner of our prestigious Bi-Annual Scholarship Contest.
Meet Our Newest Winner, Occupational Therapist Natalie P.
Natalie is no ordinary student. Her journey into occupational therapy is filled with determination, resilience, and a heartfelt passion for helping others. With a background that includes overcoming personal physical challenges and working tirelessly as an occupational therapy technician, Natalie showcases the qualities that make her a deserving recipient of this scholarship.
Sparking a Passion for Helping Others
Natalie’s essay eloquently encapsulates the essence of resilience and passion. She begins by reflecting on her experiences at the United States Military Academy, where she underwent four knee surgeries over four years. This loss of independence and mobility deeply humbled her and ignited a passion for occupational therapy.
After graduating from college, Natalie worked as an occupational therapy technician at a hand clinic, gaining valuable insights into the field. Her experiences solidified her decision to pursue a doctorate in occupational therapy. Throughout her essay, it is clear that Natalie’s dedication to the field goes beyond personal gain—she is driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact on the lives of others.
Her Path to Becoming an Occupational Therapist
Natalie’s academic and professional endeavors are nothing short of inspiring. From exploring various practice settings to developing her skills and understanding relevant policies, she has taken every opportunity to deepen her knowledge. Serving as the Texas Occupational Therapy Association's state student representative, Natalie gained firsthand experience in volunteering and advocating for occupational therapy.
Her leadership extends to her role as the president of her school’s chapter of the OT honor society, Pi Theta Epsilon. Here, she works alongside peers to raise awareness and interest in occupational therapy among high school and college students. Natalie’s commitment to the field also led her to create a research project, present a poster at a local health conference, and serve as a research fellow with the American Occupational Therapy Association.
Impacting Her Community Through Occupational Therapy
Natalie’s passion for occupational therapy extends beyond traditional settings. She has worked with local community-based organizations, finding innovative ways to integrate occupational therapy into their programs. One notable project involves creating a budgeting and cooking program for residential safe houses for survivors of human trafficking in Houston as part of her upcoming capstone project.
These experiences have underscored the importance of occupational therapists as leaders, researchers, and advocates. Natalie’s vision is to help her future patients regain their unique human complexity and meaning in life by incorporating everything she has learned into her practice.
Natalie’s story is a powerful reminder of the impact that dedicated healthcare professionals can have on their communities. At AMN Healthcare, we are committed to supporting the next generation of healthcare leaders. If you’re inspired by Natalie’s journey and are pursuing a career in healthcare, consider applying for our next Bi-Annual Scholarship Contest. We look forward to hearing your story and helping you achieve your dreams.
How the Bi-Annual Scholarship Contest Works
At AMN Healthcare, we understand the financial burdens faced by students pursuing advanced degrees. That’s why we offer a $5,000 scholarship, awarded twice a year, to graduate students in Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology, and School Psychology programs.
The application process requires a written essay, where students share their life and career stories. We encourage all applicants to be candid and thorough, as there are no wrong answers—only unique stories waiting to be told. Here’s how you can apply for the AMN Healthcare scholarship:
- Eligibility: Ensure you are currently enrolled in a graduate program in one of the eligible fields.
- Essay Submission: Write a detailed and candid essay sharing your life and career story. Be thorough and expressive—there are no wrong answers!
- Application Process: Submit your application along with the essay before the given deadline.
Twice a year, we select deserving students to receive a $5,000 scholarship in the form of a check. Your unique story could be the next one we celebrate. For more information and to apply for the AMN Healthcare Schools Bi-Annual Scholarship, visit our website today. Your path to making a difference in healthcare starts here!
