Graduate Stories
Our Graduates!
Catey Whitlock PT, DPT Class of 2017
Catey Whitlock is the first graduate of the UW’s acute care residency program in 2017. In addition to the idea of progressing her own clinical reasoning swiftly through a structured program, she was drawn to the possibilities for improving the program in the long term, and teaching.
Since graduating, she has spent the bulk of her time in the MICU, Onc ICU, and CCU serving the critically ill patient population. Her passion for this population has led to serving on a delirium prevention committee, promoting the hospital’s early mobilization program, and beginning QI projects regarding early mobilization with various medical conditions and supportive devices. Catey’s desire to teach has been fulfilled with presenting in nursing education days on the above topics, with the goal of improving providers’ real time assessment and safe mobility skills to optimize patient care. She has also served as an adjunct and primary mentor within the acute care residency program. Catey’s ongoing professional goals include creating a mobility learning module system for nursing staff, earning her CCS, and continuing research and advocation for the PICS population.
Outside of patient care, you’ll find her spending time with family; performing the latest hands-on project with her dad, taking a cooking class with her mom, hiking with her brother and friends, and snuggling up with every fur baby and niece/nephew of which she is an honorary aunt.
Kelly MacDonald PT, DPT Class of 2018
My name is Kelly MacDonald and I was the second resident to complete the UW Acute Care Residency. Within the residency program I was very pleased to find a structured post-grad program focusing on a variety of learning opportunities. The residency gave me the opportunity to advance my clinical knowledge and skills in a way I could have not done with any other new grad acute care job. Upon completing the residency I felt that I had the tools and knowledge to examine and treat any patient across the spectrum of acute care.
Since completing the residency I have become a full time staff member at UWMC, spending most of my time in the SICU but also in the PT float pool. I have a particular interest in nursing education, promotion of early ICU mobility, as well as participating as an adjunct mentor within the Acute Care Residency.
When I am not treating patients you will likely find me hiking, backpacking, running, or lost in a good book.
Morgan Lea Kelly PT, DPT Class of 2019
My name is Morgan Lea Kelly and I completed the Acute Care Residency at UW in 2019. Like just about everyone going through UW’s physical therapy residencies, I have a very curious mind and love to learn. I was drawn to the the residency program for it’s wealth of learning opportunities and emphasis on teaching. This program pushed me to ask difficult clinical questions and constantly re-assess my performance. It was a great gift to learn and grow every day in a challenging but nurturing environment.
Since completing the residency, I have stayed on at UW in a variety of different roles. I work as an acute care PT in the hospital and am able to float to any floor. I am involved in a clinical exercise study in lymphangioleiomyomatosis where we are trying to characterize skeletal muscle response to exercise by looking at both laboratory and functional data. I also serve as a teaching assistant for some of the basic science courses in the UW DPT program such as Pathophysiology and Neuroanatomy. Ultimately, I aspire to get my Phd and to keep pushing the field of translational research so we can more accurately and effectively translate basic science findings to meaningful changes in the clinic.
In my free time I love to dance and volunteer at a pro bono clinic for performing artists. I also get really excited about pelvic rehabilitation and am working to better integrate this field into the acute care setting. For all of those looking into PT residency education, I commend you on your commitment to learning and wish you the best of luck on your journeys!
Courtney Bush PT, DPT Class of 2020
