Major: Doctor of Physical Therapy
Hometown: Cheektowaga, N.Y.
Jaelah George knew ever since high school that she wanted to become a physical therapist. “I just think it is amazing that physical therapists can heal through movement, while also advocating for treatments that impact overall health,” she said. To achieve her dream, George put Daemen’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at the top of her priority list.
“I heard nothing but amazing things about Daemen’s DPT program. Everything I did was to prepare for my application and, ultimately, get into Daemen College,” George said, who is currently in her first year of the program’s professional phase. Besides the program’s reputation, George was also drawn to all its clinical experience opportunities. “That piece is what is going to allow me to develop my manual skills and people skills tremendously!” she said.
George is a testament to hard work and determination. Before applying to Daemen, she earned her bachelor’s degree in sport and exercise science from Gannon University, where she graduated a year early with a 4.0 GPA while also juggling the responsibilities that come with being a student athlete and working part-time. Now, she is excited to charge forward and earn her DPT. At Daemen, George has already shadowed multiple successful physical therapists who are also alumni of the college. She joined the Student Physical Therapy Association on campus and was quickly voted into the district representative position for the class of 2023.
With tons of “Buffalove” in her heart, George plans to make a difference in her community and work locally. Still exploring her options in PT, she said, “It would be really cool to get into the field of sports medicine, pediatrics, some type of neurologic rehab, or even acute care. The shadowing experiences required by Daemen encouraged me to see these different areas first hand and I really enjoyed them all.”
Her message to all those considering college is, “If you are a student looking to further your education, that already shows you have a vision for yourself and the potential to be successful. Use your resources, plan ahead, make some connections along the way and everything will fall into place the way it’s supposed to.”
