As a physical therapist at the University Health Center, CEHS alum Wakon Lee (‘18) enjoys helping Husker students, faculty, and staff get back to doing what they love. After earning his bachelor's degree in Nutrition and Health Sciences, Pre-Physical Therapy from the College of Education and Human Sciences and completing his Doctor of Physical Therapy at Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences, Lee returned to Lincoln to establish both his career and his family.
In this Q&A, he reflects on how CEHS prepared him for graduate school and a career in physical therapy, the importance of communication in patient care, and why he hopes more people discover the "hidden gem" of services available at the University Health Center.
Can you share a little about yourself, including your background, time in the College of Education and Human Sciences, and what you are up to today?
I am originally from Wichita, Kan. My wife, a Minnesotan, and I have now been back in Lincoln since late 2021 while I was wrapping up my final clinical rotations during PT school. We now have a daughter, a dog and a home and have planted roots in Lincoln.
During my time at UNL, I studied Nutrition and Health Sciences and was extremely active in campus recreation. Shameless plug: My teammates and I won three 3-on-3 intramural basketball titles and the 5-on-5 title our senior year. We then got to represent the University of Nebraska at the intramural basketball regional tournament.
I am now a physical therapist here on campus at the University Health Center, giving back to students, faculty and staff in that role.
You earned your B.S. in Nutrition and Health Sciences, Pre-Physical Therapy. What drew you to that major, and how did your time in the program shape your career path?
I was drawn to the wide baseline of knowledge it would provide heading into graduate school. I knew I wanted to pursue graduate-level health care (PT, PA, MD, pharmacy, etc.) but wasn't 100% sure which field initially. I felt that this degree touched on a lot of topics and did a good job of preparing you for any of those options.
It solidified my career path in that it showed me I did enjoy the problem-solving and analytical side of things. I especially liked that when it was applied to humans in courses such as anatomy, physiology and my nutrition courses. Getting that reassurance that I enjoyed learning what I chose to study helped me feel confident that I was heading down the right path.
Were there any classes, faculty members or experiences that were especially influential on your journey?
Dr. Woodman's anatomy course is top-notch. The depth of the course, the cadavers, and the lab structure are phenomenal. He prepares students so well for their graduate anatomy courses. I had classmates who had to do their entire undergraduate anatomy course online and felt like they were drowning, whereas 80% of the content felt like review for me.
You are currently a PT with the University Health Center at UNL. Can you share more about that work?
Yes, I work at the University Health Center here on campus. The building is essentially a full-service outpatient medical clinic with primary care providers, physical therapists, pharmacists, dentists and counseling and psychological services. We are here to serve UNL and can see any undergraduate students, graduate students or faculty and staff.
I am one of three, soon to be four, physical therapists. We see anything you would expect to see a physical therapist for, which includes nonoperative care (sprains, strains, neck/back pain, headaches, etc.), postoperative care (ACL reconstructions, labral repairs, fractures, etc.) and even concussion/vestibular care. We have a full-service PT clinic with an open gym with weights, private treatment rooms, modalities, strength testing equipment, etc. My primary niches tend to be postoperative ACL rehab and concussion rehab. I also see Husker athletes on an as-needed basis for concussion rehabilitation.
We see all of our patients one-on-one (which can be a rarity at some clinics these days) for 30-60 minutes. Our schedule is built to best serve the campus. What that means is productivity is not our top priority; serving the students and staff is our top priority, and our scheduling reflects that. We are given enough time within our day to prep for our patients and communicate with other health care providers as needed to provide the best care. This goes for PT, the medical clinic, the dental clinic and the pharmacy.
What has been the most rewarding part of your career so far, and why?
I find it extremely rewarding working with students. Very often, we are one of their first health care experiences as an independent adult. I want to set a standard for all of their other health care interactions moving forward by making it a positive experience. I want the patients to feel like they understand what we're working on and why we're working on it. I want them to feel like I know them and their goals and that they're not just another patient.
What skills have been most important to your success as a physical therapist, beyond the technical knowledge you learned in school?
Interpersonal and communication skills, without a doubt. The ability to adapt to a wide variety of people and personalities can help me tailor education or a plan of care in a way that best fits the patient. Further, being able to make connections with other providers (surgeons, primary care providers, nutritionists, etc.) allows everyone to be on the same page to get the best outcome for the patient.
What's one piece of advice you'd give to current students hoping to pursue a career in physical therapy?
Build your interpersonal skills. Your ability to treat patients and help them get the outcome they're looking for will be much improved by being able to connect with them and understand what makes them tick. Don't shy away from the group projects or the new club. Those opportunities to branch out and talk to new people will probably be more important than you realize. Don't forget that the career you're pursuing is going to involve talking to new people every day, so build that skill early!
What does being a Husker alum mean to you?
I love being a Husker alum. I think this university and this town are a fantastic place to grow up as a college student, even if you are from out of state, like I was. I have never once regretted my decision or wished I had gone somewhere else. To this day, I recommend UNL to anyone who is willing to listen to me. I'll even recommend it if you're not willing to listen.
What's next for you? Are there specific goals or initiatives you're passionate about?
I plan to start helping with sideline coverage for club sports here at UNL. This will then allow me to sit for board certification and become a board-certified sports clinical specialist (SCS) and continue helping club sports and recreational athletes here on campus.
I am also passionate about getting the word out about our services here on campus. I think we are a hidden gem that not enough students and staff know about. We've got some fun campus engagement activities planned, so be on the lookout for us!
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