Right On Track

Katie Carnahan ’06 Shipley

When Testerman reached out to Katie Carnahan ’06 Shipley, DPT, to inquire about a job shadowing opportunity for her Pre-Physical Therapy track, she didn’t know she would make an instant connection with a fellow Gracelander — who gladly offered her insight into her work.

Shipley is a pediatric physical therapist specializing in newborns up to newly walking babies. Working independently or partnering with other health experts across the disciplines, she treats infants with developmental delays, torticollis, neurological disorders, tongue-tie, and nervous system regulation difficulties.

In May, Testerman accompanied Shipley throughout her day of working with her young clients and their concerned parents — at Shipley’s office or home, or the families’ homes in the greater Kansas City area. “Katie wants people to be able to get help for their kids, so she meets them where they are, both in terms of location and this vulnerable time in their lives,” Testerman explains, admiring Shipley’s client focus and dedication to making her services accessible and affordable. When a one-and-a-half year-old client finds Shipley, it is almost rather “late,” and Shipley wishes she could have seen the child much earlier.

“Katie wants to reach clients as early as possible in their still tiny lives to get them well on their way. Three weeks to about one and a half years is a critical developmental time, and it’s amazing what all you can do with this early intervention, gently correcting and treating what otherwise would be a lifelong impact on quality of life.”

Testerman was also impressed by Shipley’s communication with the parents, how she memorizes all their names and extended family circle names and little everyday stories, making them feel comfortable and instilling confidence that they’re in the right hands.

Alongside learning the manual and social skills that make a good pediatric physical therapist, Testerman contributed her creative competency to Shipley’s informational outreach on social media.

“Babies have milestones, and those milestones are really important to meet,” she says. “So we published a series of ‘milestone moments’ on what to look out for and do in babies’ first few weeks and months.” In turn, Shipley was able to offer her guidance and perspective beyond mere graduation requirements: from advice on preparing for furthering studies at PT school, to the reassurance of heading in the right professional direction, solidifying her wish to continue working with kids.

“She’s so good at what she does,” Testerman sums up her time at Shipley’s side. “I’m really glad I found her and that it worked out so well. Katie wakes up every day excited to get to work, and it gives me hope that I can find that for myself in my professional life, too.” Although Testerman completed the 100 required senior class hours with Shipley, she wants to keep learning from her, and will return after her current summer internship in social media marketing at Polly’s Pop.

Know someone who might be interested in pursuing a Doctor of Physical Therapy? Check out Graceland’s two-year hybrid program that provides students with an innovative and collaborative learning community: graceland.edu/DPT