ALUMNI NEWS
~ Mounties after the Diploma
Gwen Breslen
~Class of 2014
What college/schools did you attend and what is your degree?
Undergraduate: Bachelor in Athletic Training University of New England Biddeford, ME Graduate: Doctor of Physical Therapy University of New England Portland, ME
What are you doing now?
Physical Therapist in an outpatient orthopedic physical therapy clinic in Dunedin, FL
How or why did you choose your field?
Due to many sports injuries and countless hours of rehab, I knew that I wanted to do something in the healthcare field. I have always loved working with athletes which is why I chose athletic training as my undergraduate program. While I enjoyed working at the high school level as an athletic trainer, I wanted a profession that had more distinct hours and allowed me to work with individuals through every aspect of their recovery. As a physical therapist I get to combine my enjoyment of working in the sports medicine field while also building great relationships with patients on their road to recovery.
Future goals and/or plans?
My future goals are to continue to establish myself as a sports medicine clinician in the Tampa Bay area.
How did MSJ prepare you to be successful?
MSJ prepared me to be successful by instilling me with a strong work ethic and gave me experience with a more rigorous level of education. It set me up to enter my undergraduate program feeling prepared to take on any of the challenges that the university level can bring.
What sports teams, school clubs, or any other extracurriculars you were involved in at MSJ.
I participated in basketball and soccer all 4 years that I was at MSJ.
What message would you give regarding your experience at MSJ and for students considering attending MSJ?
MSJ prepared me to enter my college level program with confidence due to a quality education for all 4 years. MSJ was a family-like atmosphere that provided me with the support to follow my dreams of working in the healthcare field.
Gwen Breslen, PT, DPT, ATC grew up in the beautiful state of Vermont where she attended Mount Saint Joseph Academy and graduated in 2014. After graduation, she made the move to Maine to pursue an Athletic Training degree at the University of New England. In 2018, she then decided to stay on the Maine coast and continue her education with the University of New England in their Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program. In graduate school she was on the Dean's Council, worked as a graduate assistant in the Motion Analysis Lab, and was the interprofessional education collaborative liaison. She also was a part of many different research studies with focuses in jump landing mechanics, pelvis health, and effects of thoracic manipulation. After she earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) in May 2021 she decided to make a big change and move to the sunny state of Florida to begin her career. Currently, Gwen now resides in Dunedin, FL and is working at an outpatient physical therapy clinic. Her topics of interest include sports rehabilitation, lower extremity post-operative rehabilitation, and ACL reconstruction recovery and return to sport.
In her personal time, Gwen enjoys cycling, hiking, attending the many sporting events in Tampa Bay, and spending time at the beaches of Florida.
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