In Her Own Words: Jaime Calvin

In our current “In Her Own Words” series, Forester women who are making a difference in the world as advanced healthcare professionals are sharing their stories. Less than 10 years after they earned their bachelor’s degrees from Huntington University, these women have already traveled unique paths to careers in healthcare practice. They have become dentists, physical therapists, physician assistants, medical doctors, and more — and this is only the beginning.

The story that follows comes from an interview with one such Forester.

Jaime Calvin (2019)

Doctor of Physical Therapy

After earning her doctoral degree and becoming a physical therapist, Jaime Calvin took a job at a Level 1 Trauma Center at a hospital in Pennsylvania, where she works with vascular patients and with preterm babies in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

At what point did you realize you wanted to go into medicine/healthcare? Why did you choose your area of practice?

I think I have always known I wanted to go into the medical field. I originally wanted to be an athletic trainer to stay around sports, but as I started looking for colleges, I realized that being an athlete and studying to be an athletic trainer would be too difficult when it came to scheduling. I then tore my ACL and was able to witness what physical therapists do for a living. I instantly fell in love with the idea of being a physical therapist. I realized that playing soccer and completing an undergrad degree in exercise science was the perfect match! 

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned along the way?

The most important lesson I have learned along the way is that no matter what you think you have planned, God has a better plan. When applying for PT school, I had plans of living at home and commuting to school. God's plan was for me to move seven hours from my family where I didn't know anyone. I wasn't accepted to the school I had planned on going to and was forced to put my trust in God. I ended up making lifelong friendships and chose to stay seven hours from my family when I had the opportunity to return home.

What are you proudest of when it comes to your career?

My proudest moment in my career is being able to call myself a Doctor of Physical Therapy. If it weren't for sports, I am not sure I would have even gone to college. If it wasn't for the education I gained at Huntington and the professors I had that pushed me to be better, I would have never made it to grad school. It's hard for me to think back [to] early high school when I was struggling and doubting my ability to go to college, and now I have a doctorate and love learning!