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Siobhan Gillespie’s journey to the front of the classroom at 51����Ƶ Muncie didn’t begin with a lifelong plan for academia. It began with a GED, a job as a manager at McDonald’s, and a back injury that changed her life. 

Today, as an Assistant Professor and Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education, Gillespie is using her "full-circle" experience to help lead the very Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program that launched her career. After overcoming the challenges of being a working mother and a non-traditional student, Gillespie now combines the stern "suck it up buttercup" and welcoming mentorship of her former instructors with a deep, firsthand compassion for the students currently following the same path.

Gillespie’s path to physical therapy was born from personal necessity. Originally aiming for a career in mortuary science, a workplace back injury forced her into physical therapy as a patient. 

"I realized I wanted to help people but didn’t want to ‘poke people with needles,’" Gillespie recalls. "Physical therapy was the best option."

That decision led her to Ivy Tech. The college provided the affordability and accessibility she needed as a working mother. Her time as a student was defined by a grueling balance of softball games, motherhood, and full-time work. She often studied late into the night and carried flashcards at all times. It was during a clinical rotation in a nursing home that her passion was solidified. 

"I had a stroke patient who couldn’t even sit up when I met him," she says. "By the end of the rotation, he was walking using parallel bars. I realized then I could help people beyond what I ever thought possible."

Now, as a leader within the same program, Gillespie draws on the influence of her own mentors, Mark Wise and Lori Hobbs. She describes her teaching style as a blend of Wise’s boisterous energy and Hobbs’ "suck it up buttercup" toughness. A philosophy that teaches students not to let mistakes hinder their growth.

"You learn from your failures," Gillespie says. "It wasn’t the A’s on tests that taught me how to be a better therapist; it was the things I had to redo. Once you mess up once, you don’t mess up again."

The Ivy Tech PTA program is evolving to meet a rapidly changing healthcare landscape. By utilizing high-end lab simulations and staying aligned with CAPTE (Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education) standards, the program prepares students for a future involving hybrid digital care, remote monitoring, and complex administrative requirements.

“Throughout her time as a student, clinician, and educator, Siobhan has demonstrated the conviction, skill, and talent that guides our students to become the very best healthcare providers,” Mark Wise, Program Chair for the Physical Therapist Assistant program, said, “She is an incredible asset to our students, the PTA program, 51����Ƶ, and the profession of Physical Therapy.”

Gillespie, who is currently working toward two Master’s degrees in Executive Development and Adult/Community Education and has a background in Healthcare Administration, encourages her students to view Ivy Tech as a launching pad for limitless possibilities. Whether they pursue bridge programs to earn a Doctorate of Physical Therapy or move into clinic management, her advice remains grounded in her own non-traditional start.

"Don’t be afraid to take your time," she advises. "It took me four years to get my associate degree because that’s what it took for me to be successful and retain knowledge. Ask for help early, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes."

As she looks toward the future of the Muncie program, Gillespie’s Gold Standard for her graduates is simple: that they become great PTAs who know their instructor cared about their success. 

"I hope there is something I said along the way that helped them," Gillespie says. "I want them to be excited for a great career."

The Physical Therapist Assistant program is a selective admissions program that provides students with the tools they need to realize their healthcare career goals. Students gain hands-on experience both in the lab and through clinical rotations. To learn more about the program, visit ivytech.edu/muncie today.