Learning Contract

Name: Stephanie Soto

Internship Hours: 38 hours per week
Internship Placement: University Orthopedics
Internship Supervisor: Allison Kosiorek DPT, ATC
Internship Job Title: Physical Therapy Aid

Background
Growing up in a family dominated by police officers, firefighters, and military officers has made
me extremely passionate about giving back to those who have served our country. I want to
become a physical therapists for Veterans to help them regain the very thing they are fighting
for; their independence. I want to help veterans achieve their functional or physical goals,
whether it be playing football with a son or competing in a triathlon. Last spring, I completed 30
observation hours at OPT. At that time, Allison worked at OPT and I was able to learn about
what she teaches her students during their internship. Allison uses her materials from her
Physical Therapy graduate program and teaches her interns what they will be learning during
their first semester of their graduate program. This past November, Allison began working at
University Orthopedics and I asked to follow her to her new job because I knew how much she
invested in her students. Having a supervisor who voluntarily pushes her students academically
is extremely valuable and I am enormously grateful for the opportunity to learn from such an
amazing physical therapist.

Professional Objectives
Objective 1: Learn the structure and function of the Brachial Plexus and the muscles it
innervates.
Activities: Work on memorizing the spinal and peripheral nerves and the muscles they
innervate by practicing drawing the Brachial Plexus.
Evidence: Provide a labeled and color coded drawing of the Brachial Plexus.

Objective 2: Learn and understand the normal values of range of motion of major joints and the
techniques used to obtain those values.
Activities: Research normal values of range of motion of major joints in healthy
individuals. Learn and practice the techniques used to measure range of motion.
Evidence: Provide a chart with normal values of range of motion of major joints.

Objective 3: Learn how women athletes can prevent an ACL injury.

Activities: Research different strengthening activities commonly used to prevent an ACL
injury. Learn correct landing techniques to avoid an ACL injury.
Evidence: Provide a pamphlet explaining the structure of the knee, common exercises
used to strengthen the knee, common ways one can injure their ACL, and how to prevent
an ACL injury.