The Cantrell Center is a primary clinical internship site for students pursuing their Doctorate as a Physical Therapist or their degree as a Physical Therapist Assistant. We accept students from all over the country, because we want to “pay it forward”. (After all, great physical therapists of years past did it for us.) And, the Cantrell Center is a great place for learning. Daily we learn from each other and our awesome patients. Clinicians attend continuing education courses constantly to stay abreast of what is going on in the field of physical therapy and to learn new techniques that can help our patients. We enhance the learning experience of interns by providing them with opportunities to see many varied diagnoses and through exposure to our awesome staff of professionals. We have a Vestibular Specialist, Pelvic Floor Therapist, Hand Specialist, Postural Restoration Certified Therapists, and more. There are not very many places that offer Aquatic Physical Therapy, as well as Postural Restoration, so this also makes the Cantrell Center very unique. The clinicians here are always excited to teach, as we have all come from different backgrounds, and all carry our own passions, that we love to pass on.
Clay Royal, SPTA, a Physical Therapist Assistant at Albany State University, spent 7 weeks with us to complete his degree as a Physical Therapist Assistant. Below is what he had to say about his experience at the Cantrell Center. Hope you enjoy it.
I am a student PTA (Physical Therapist Assistant) and I recently had the privilege of spending a seven-week clinical rotation here at the Cantrell Center. I was nervous going into this experience because I was away from home and did not know anyone in the Warner Robins area. My nerves were quickly put to rest once I was welcomed by the friendly staff. I knew right away this was going to be a positive experience. After being assigned a primary instructor, I was given the opportunity to learn from most all of the different personalities and therapy styles possessed by the various clinicians.
I was given the opportunity to treat many different diagnoses in my time here. There was always someone nearby to answer questions I had or to jump in and help me when I required assistance. I was able to get my first experience with aquatic therapy, which was awesome! I was actually able to treat many diagnoses for the first time here. My confidence grew daily, by the time my seven weeks were up I really felt like I could do this.
The clinicians here are very professional and knowledgeable. They set an example for me, showing me the kind of clinician I hope to be one day. Any question I had, someone (if not everyone) had the answer. I really cannot thank them enough for the opportunity to learn from such a diverse staff and caseload. I can only hope that one day I am part of such a friendly, professional, and competent staff as the one here at The Cantrell Center.
Clay Royal, PTA student
Albany State University
About the Author
Jessica Jay, PTA, has been a PTA for 11 years and has spent the last 3 (4 in April of this year) at the Cantrell Center after making the move to Middle Georgia from Michigan. She and husband, Wesley (whom Jessica refers to as her greatest blessing) have been married for almost 7 years. Together, they have 2 beautiful babies: Reese (4) and Leelan (who is almost 2). Outside of work and family, Jessica and Wesley stay busy as they’re involved in ministry (Jessica is the Children’s Ministry Director and Wesley is the Worship Pastor) and own a DJ and Photo Booth business (High Voltage DJ Services).
When asked why she chose Physical Therapy as a career, she responded, “Physical Therapy has always been my passion, and dream. Ever since I was a little girl, it has always been what I wanted to do with my life. I have to say that my favorite part of being a therapist is treating our kids, and watching them grow, develop and learn. We all learn in different ways, and watching their little brains figure out this crazy thing we call life, is absolutely amazing. I feel so blessed that I get to work with such amazing kids, and help them to develop skills that will carry them through their entire life.”
