- LEND Physical Therapy Trainee
Erin Barnett is a second year Doctor of Physical Therapy student at the University of Pittsburgh. She graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2023 with a B.S. degree in Exercise Science and minors in Psychology and Physiology at Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia.
During her time at Shenandoah, Erin found her true passion for working with the pediatric population. She volunteered in the physical therapy gym at Children’s Specialized Hospital in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Here, she was able to make connections with healthcare professionals, families, and, most importantly, the children.
Erin has a strong interest in becoming an advocate for different populations. In college, she was an active member of The Hidden Opponent, a national organization that advocates for student-athlete mental health. She also looks to provide pro bono services whenever she can and advocate for those who do not readily have access to the quality healthcare that they deserve.
These experiences have been the catalyst that lead to her to pursue the LEND Traineeship. Erin is excited to gain new knowledge from the LEND experience and combine her strong interest in advocacy with her passion for being an empathetic healthcare provider for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families.
After completion of the DPT program, Erin plans to enroll in a Pediatric Physical Therapy Residency and eventually become a Pediatric Certified Specialist. With this, she hopes to dedicate her career to provide every child and family with the opportunities they need in order to achieve the highest quality of life possible.
