As a freshman, I was excited for all the opportunities that lay ahead, including a wonderful semester abroad. However, life often changes quickly, and you have to adapt. For me, these changes were not setbacks but rather new opportunities. I joined a sorority and took on high positions, including becoming the President of Delta Gamma. This role required my presence on campus, which meant I had to give up my plans to study abroad. However, I did get to travel across Europe for a month with my close friend Hayden, and we were joined by an exchange friend from high school for most of the trip. This experience was enriching, and I decided to reschedule my “beyond the classroom” experience to take place in Missoula. While it wasn’t exactly international travel, my time in Missoula turned out to be incredibly valuable.

For nearly two years, I have worked at Alpine Physical Therapy, so I knew I wanted to shadow Brace Hayden for my internship. I had specific questions and goals in mind to make the most of my experience at Alpine PT. My summer internship included shadowing professionals, learning new techniques, and researching insurance policies that affect access to healthcare, specifically physical therapy.

Missoula is a place many are familiar with, so I won’t go into detail about my favorite places to eat like Tandem Bakery or Green Source, nor will I describe my floating adventures and other summer activities. Instead, I want to highlight a significant milestone: the Missoula Half Marathon. Thanks to Alpine Physical Therapy, I used one of their free registrations and completed my first half marathon! Additionally, I volunteered at their station, where I had the chance to meet and talk with many out-of-state runners.

A big part of my internship involved researching different insurance providers, including Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS), Allegiance, and Pacific Source. For BCBS, the extent of coverage depends on the plan, with some plans requiring authorization for services. Allegiance has a broad network of in-network providers but typically requires a referral or a note from a primary provider for further treatment. Pacific Source offers greater accessibility, as in-network providers do not require a referral. This research helped me understand how insurance policies affect patient access to physical therapy.

Another goal of my internship was to explore ways to improve patient access to services. In discussions with Brace, he explained the concept of letters of medical necessity. He guided me through the process of writing these letters, showing me the importance of detailed progress notes and explaining how further medical intervention would benefit the patient. This insight was very helpful and enhanced my understanding of the administrative side of healthcare.

One of the most interesting parts of my internship was learning about vertigo, specifically Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). I observed many Epley maneuvers and watched patients’ balance being restored. I also learned about other medical conditions such as low back pain and neck pain. Although I didn’t travel abroad, my summer in Missoula was fantastic and filled with wonderful learning opportunities.

This experience showed me that valuable opportunities and learning experiences can be found close to home. My time in Missoula allowed me to grow both personally and professionally, and I am grateful for the enriching experiences and the knowledge I gained during my internship.