Amy Litterini, PT, D.P.T., assistant clinical professor in UNE’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program, was recently interviewed for an article in PT in Motion, the American Physical Therapy Association’s award-winning monthly magazine.
The article explores the integral role of physical therapists and physical therapist assistants in optimizing cancer care throughout a patient’s lifespan.
Litterini discussed a patient who deeply resonated with her. Breast cancer had rendered the avid runner unable to continue an activity that was important to her self-identity.
Litterini worked with her using aquatics and an elliptical, eventually getting her back to running again.
“Being able to help her safely reclaim running as part of her life, and hold onto it for as long as she could, was among my proudest moments as a physical therapist,” Litterini told the magazine. “It was one of the most beneficial things she could have experienced toward the end of her life, and it gave me a tremendous amount of joy to help her achieve what she wanted.”
Litterini says she reassures her students they have what it takes to treat survivors of cancer.
“Embrace what you do know, and learn what you don’t,” she said. “Also, cultivate mentors and don’t hesitate to look outside our profession.”
Litterini says she was fortunate to have been mentored early in her career.
