Originally from Cameroon, Noella Che came to the United States and met up with her older sister, who was enrolled in UToledo as a pharmacy student. After hearing about her sister’s great experiences, Che followed in her sibling’s footsteps and became a Rocket.
She earned her bachelor of science degree in exercise science in 2019 and then enrolled in UToledo’s doctor of physical therapy program.
Originally from Cameroon, Noella Che came to the United States and met up with her older sister, who was enrolled in UToledo as a pharmacy student. She is completing her first clinical education experience with UTMC’s Outpatient Rehabilitation and Therapy Services.
She chose to further her education in physical therapy, a field that is not commonly known in her home country, because of her interest in the ability to use a patient’s body and biomechanics to make them feel better, rather than by medicine.
“I am a hands-on person, so I learn by doing,” Che said. “As a visual learner, physical therapy fit into my learning style.”
Now in the third and final year of her program, Che is completing her first clinical education experience with UTMC’s Outpatient Rehabilitation and Therapy Services. She has gained essential skills in communicating with patients and fellow students, working hands-on with patients and writing patient notes.
“Everybody has been very helpful, especially my clinical instructor,” Che said. “Greg Hall has been helpful in giving me a lot of feedback, which I have been implementing to try to become a better physical therapist.”
“During her time here at UTMC outpatient physical therapy, Noella has been able to learn, grow and contribute to the improvement in our clients’ lives,” Hall said. “She will take this knowledge and experience forward with her in her future clinical and career. I am excited about her future and the accomplishments to come.”
Che’s experience with helping others does not stop at UTMC. Outside of classes and her clinicals, she provides support for patients as a home health aide.
Her experience as a professional is a direct result of her classes, which provided her with the essential skills needed of a physical therapist. Che said she hopes to utilize her skills from classes and clinical experiences to realize her goal of opening a physical therapy practice.
“To build a house, you need a foundation,” Che said. “For me, my foundation was built up by the skills I learned in my classes, which helped me improve in my clinicals.”
