Notre Dame de Namur University Kinesiology Majors Going on to Careers in Physical Therapy

Kinesiology students and faculty at Notre Dame de Namur University

Left to right: Robby Keith, Megan Kravec, Prof. Jennifer Kinder, Madeleine Orellana, Nathan Iruegas

Kinesiology—the study of the mechanics of body movements—is one of the top five majors at Notre Dame de Namur University. Recent graduates of the major are planning careers as physical therapists with exciting specializations. The students have been accepted to leading graduate programs in the field.

Nathan Arturo Iruegas will be attending University of Southern California (USC) in fall 2019. U.S. News & World Report ranks USC as the #1 doctoral program in physical therapy in the United States. Nathan has a very specific population he hopes to work with: “I would like to grow my knowledge of chronic neuromuscular conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, and build on current methods of treatment to provide patients with an improved quality of life,” he says. “I’ve been through physical therapy myself, and I want to give that feeling of independence back to people.”

Madeleine Orellana will also be enrolling at USC in fall 2019. “After my doctoral program I’m eager to specialize in sports and orthopedic physical therapy,” she says. “I aspire to become a sports physical therapist for a professional team.” Madeleine has been involved in athletics her entire life and played varsity volleyball at Notre Dame.

Megan Kravec was admitted to several graduate schools, including New York University. She opted to study closer to home and will be attending the doctorate of physical therapy program at California State University, Fresno, which also has a program in hippotherapy. “My goal is to treat children with special needs, and veterans, using hippotherapy,” she explains. Hippotherapy is the use of horseback riding for rehabilitative treatment to improve coordination and strength. “Coming from a military family, I would like to give back to our veterans.”

Robert Lee Keith III is attending the doctoral program at The Ohio State University with a full scholarship and a stipend. “My goal is to become a pediatric physical therapist and help underserved populations,” Robby says. He grew up in Eastside San Jose, and he’s personally seen the need for children to have greater access to healthcare.

“We’re extremely proud of the accomplishments of these Notre Dame graduates,” remarks Jennifer Kinder, program director of the Kinesiology major. “We’re excited for their contributions to society and to the fields of kinesiology and physical therapy.”

For more information about Notre Dame de Namur University’s undergraduate program in Kinesiology, visit the webpage. For information on how to apply, see the Admissions page.

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