Profiles in Success

Check in often for success stories of alumni, students, and scholarship recipients.

I definitely have a heart for the people here, and believe others would find fulfillment as I have in working with them.

Kristi Hinton, PT

Eagle Pass, TX
Class of 2006
Physical Therapy - MS Degree

Serving PT Needs on Mexico Border

Physical therapists who seek adventure and a meaningful career experience may apply directly to the Tex-Mex border.

Kristi Hinton did exactly that in going to Eagle Pass, Texas following graduation with her master's in PT. She is her own
best PT recruitment ad for this fast-growing southwestern border city of 40,000. Built along the Rio Grande, Eagle Pass
is in dire need of physical therapists to treat its underserved immigrant population.

"I wanted to travel after graduation, experience a different culture, get away from the winter snow and go to a state in which I could quickly receive my PT license to start working." A Rochester native, Hinton got her wish and more by signing with the Back to Action Physical Therapy clinic in Eagle Pass through a traveling professional placement firm. Hinton was not only placed in a busy practice, seeing 15 to 30 patients a day, she was made clinic director.

In addition to the fast-paced workload, she faced a language barrier. "Arriving here, I knew only several words in Spanish. I am learning fast but still rely on an interpreter to assist me, especially with evaluations."

For about 95 percent of Eagle Pass residents, Spanish is their first language and many speak only Spanish, according to Hinton. "Crossing the bridge into Mexico's city of Piedras Negras, one finds no real difference culturally from Eagle Pass," she observes.

"Culturally and professionally, it has been a real challenge for me," Hinton adds. "It's amazing how much responsibility was put on my plate. I found out you don't know how much you know until you have to know it. I see a variety of diagnoses, from infants with torticollis and high school students with athletic injuries, to elderly patients who have had a CVA or joint replacement. I do a lot of self-study and research. I find my education at Upstate also has helped prepare me for many of the cultural differences and ethical challenges I have had to face here."

"Specialized PT services, such as those for traumatic brain injuries, vestibular disorders, CVAs and pediatrics, are available in San Antonio, about 145 miles away. I usually end up treating these problems here as well. It is often not an option for patients to travel that far, as most patients cannot afford the gas or even have cars." Hinton herself travels one day a week to work at another Back to Action clinic located in Del Rio, an hour north.

In addition to supervising her staff, comprised of a secretary and two PT technicians, Hinton markets the practice. She networks by setting up meetings with area physicians to encourage collaboration and communication.

She'd also like to inform her peers that pay to work on the border is "much higher than average. There is a great need for more physical therapists to help these communities, whose majority of residents are lower socio-economic, undereducated and underserved." As a result, Hinton has signed up to serve another year.

Hinton still has wanderlust, however, and desires to eventually travel again to serve other communities in need.

"I definitely have a heart for the people here, and believe others would find fulfillment as I have in working with them."