Enriching Lives Through Physical Therapy
Cody Bailey is working towards his Doctorate in Physical Therapy and will be graduating in the spring of 2018. His department nominated him as Radford University's October 2017 Featured Graduate Student of the Month.
Cody is originally from Roanoke, VA and attended James Madison University for his undergraduate degree. Cody majored in kinesiology and minored in biology while at JMU. When graduating high school Cody considered many majors and jobs for his future. “I loved sports, science, math, and overall how the body works,” Cody stated. “Kinesiology seemed like a perfect fit and PT was always in the back of my mind.” While in college Cody had the opportunity to meet two of Radford University’s DPT faculty, Dr. Jagger and Dr. Siyufy, during an event he helped put together. He immediately loved their personalities and the passion they had for physical therapy. Shortly thereafter he had an in-person interview at Radford for the PT program and again was taken aback by the entire faculty. “They were all so nice and were so involved with the student body.” He went on to say that he loved that the class size was smaller than other programs where you could get to know your cohort and the faculty at a more personal level. Cody enjoyed the classes he took in undergrad to prepare him for a PT program and also had a positive personal experience of needing PT after knee surgery. Cody decided to pursue his doctorate at Radford University and has been very active in many research projects and activities.
Cody explained physical therapy as a movement science directed to increase independence in order to get up and go where you need to go in life. In the spring Cody worked in a skilled nursing facility where he helped clients to both move around in bed and get up and walking. He realized the importance of interdisciplinary practice as he worked alongside occupational therapists, speech therapists, and nurses. Cody is an active member of the Virginia Physical Therapy Association (VPTA), as well as the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). He was also a Graduate Research Fellow in the spring of 2016 and 2017. Cody explained that his greatest accomplishment while at Radford in the PT program was attending the APTA Combined Sections Meeting in February of this year for three days in San Antonio, TX. “I presented a poster presentation while at the CSM on research I worked on titled ‘Integrating Real-Time Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Education into a Doctor of Physical Therapy Curriculum.’ It was a fun experience going to a city I have never been to in order to present. Plus Radford helped cover some of the costs which was great!” Cody has also presented posters at Radford University’s Waldron College Symposium as well as the Student Engagement Presentation in the spring of both 2016 and 2017. He also assists in live musculoskeletal ultrasound demonstrations for the DPT Information Sessions. Dr. Siyufy. Assistant Professor and Graduate Program Coordinator of the DPT program stated, “Mr. Bailey exemplifies the caliber of a dedicated RU graduate student. Despite the demanding curriculum and course load, Mr. Bailey continues to go above and beyond for our program, our school, and the Physical Therapy profession!”
After graduating in May, Cody hopes to stay in Roanoke, work in an outpatient orthopedic clinic, and eventually become OCS (orthopedic clinical specialist) certified. He also has an interest in one day working with a professional sports team. “Radford’s DPT program has prepared me so well for my future. It is an incredible program with a ton of research opportunities unlike many other DPT programs!”