Class of 2024 Spotlight: Physical Therapy
From the Department of Physical Therapy, Nkese Jack is also committed to ensuring that the future of our healthcare system is bright, especially for those underrepresented populations. When her grandmother lost her battle with cancer, and witnessing her grandmother’s decline from being a vibrant, able-bodied person, to barely being able to move or talk, and seeing the substandard care her grandmother received, was heartbreaking. Nkese said she vowed to enter the field of healthcare as a physical therapist to help future patients.
“The quality of healthcare in my home country, Trinidad and Tobago, is subpar due to a lack of resources, causing sick people to endure unnecessary suffering. Unfortunately, like my grandmother’s misfortune, a similar narrative exists for countless historically marginalized minorities in the United States. People of color are disproportionately affected by chronic diseases and receive lower-quality treatment compared to their white counterparts. The underrepresentation of people of color in health care, coupled with inadequate care and attention from healthcare professionals contribute to this problem.”
Learning of the health disparities in the United States further fueled Nkese’s passion for wanting to work in healthcare.
“I am eager to contribute to health equity by removing barriers and increasing the quality of care for underprivileged people of color.”
While a student at CSULB, Nkese used that passion and drive in many different extracurricular settings. While putting herself through school, Nkese worked as a front desk associate at a performance center called The Huntington Club, was a self- employed academic tutor and childcare provider, and a member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). She also served as the President of the Physical Therapy Student Association (PTSA) at CSULB, and was a student volunteer for the Re-active Physical Therapy Student Neuro Coach Program, in addition to being a Black Student Union representative at CSULB. She also worked as a membership services representative for the CSULB Student Recreation and Wellness Center.
Nkese admits that the demands of balancing school, work and life immensely impacted her mental and physical health to the point where she said it became difficult to do basic activities of daily living.
“Although it was difficult, and I initially felt like a failure, I decided to take a break from school and work, which turned out to be the best decision I have ever made. Taking a break allowed me to reevaluate life, develop a better sense of self, and determine what was important to me. This break provided me the opportunity to fall in love with life again and also assured me that physical therapy is indeed my passion. Despite the pressure from the outside world, this experience reminded me that there is no rush to achieve my goals and that my own mental and physical health are paramount.”
Another important lesson Nkese learned while in school is that connections are of the utmost importance.
“Although my grades and academic performance were crucial, the friendships and relationships I developed with peers, professors and staff mattered the most to me. Learning the importance of connection has allowed me to prioritize relationships regardless of the situation or environment. I may have the potential to be the most knowledgeable physical therapist, but if I am unable to connect to my patients and help induce change, then it would be difficult to define myself as successful. Physical therapy school was very challenging but the laughter, memories and connections I made with the people around me made it well worth it.”
