Exercise science senior Emily Moody reflects on her experience at Mount Marty

Emily Moody ’26 has wanted to be a physical therapist since childhood. She was drawn to the profession for its opportunity to build lasting relationships with patients. “I value being able to walk alongside someone throughout their entire healing process rather than only seeing them once. Physical therapy allows me to connect deeply with patients, understand their stories and support them through both the physical and emotional aspects of recovery,” Moody said. In just five weeks, Moody will graduate with a degree in exercise science and continue her journey toward her dream as she enters graduate school. 

Moody was inspired as a child to become a physical therapist by her father, a co-owner of a physical therapy clinic in her hometown. She learned much from his approach to care. “I learned early on that physical therapy is about more than helping people heal injuries,” Moody said. “It is also about restoring confidence, hope and quality of life." This early exposure sparked her passion for the profession. A back injury in high school that kept her off the gymnastics floor further immersed her in the field. “The physical therapists who treated me listened deeply, sought to find the root cause of my pain, and fought to help me continue participating in the sport I loved, while others encouraged me to quit. They made me feel seen, heard and valued. My approach to care was deeply moved by the empathy, dedication and relentless drive for answers and results they showed.”

With these compassionate experiences fueling her desire to become a licensed physical therapist, Moody decided to visit Mount Marty to continue on the path toward her dream. Drawn by the small class sizes and dedicated, experienced professors, she knew this was the environment she wanted. “When I visited, I could tell that the professors enjoy their work and genuinely care about connecting with their students,” Moody said. Since that first visit, Moody has found fulfillment in a variety of roles that allow her to serve the Mount Marty community. She can be found tutoring her classmates, representing her class in the Student Government Association, or leading the competitive and sideline cheer teams as captain. She also enjoys serving as treasurer in the Prosthetics Club and her time in Bible study.

Her time with the cheer team has been a highlight and a source of pride. “Our team started at the bottom, but over the past few years, has grown tremendously. The team has faced countless challenges, but through perseverance, discipline and belief in one another, we are finally seeing success this year. Watching that growth has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my college career,” Moody said. Through these challenges, she noted that Head Competitive Cheer Coach Joe Erickson and Head Competitive Dance Coach Rylee Schneider deeply impacted her character. “From them, I have learned that success comes through consistency, trust and a shared commitment to something bigger than oneself.”

The Benedictine tradition has become deeply meaningful to Moody and will guide her future practice. In her Benedictine Leadership Institute classes, where students examine personal strengths and community impact, and in her Wisdom of Benedict class, where they apply St. Benedict’s teachings, Moody was challenged to slow down and reflect on how she wants to live and practice. She was especially influenced by St. Benedict’s emphasis on balance and strives to integrate this in both her work and personal life. Mount Marty’s core value of awareness of God transformed her view of her profession from a job to a calling. “I will treat each patient as someone made in the image of God, deserving of dignity, patience and compassionate care,” Moody said. She plans to foster hospitality in her clinical environment, use servant leadership at the bedside, and pursue lifelong learning to provide quality care. “The Benedictine formation I received at Mount Marty has prepared me to approach my career with knowledge and character. I will strive to heal, serve and lead in a way that reflects faith, humility and love.”

In her junior year, Moody prepared for graduate school by shadowing physical therapists. One patient who was paralyzed had a profound impact on her. This patient communicated by using basic sign language, so Moody learned the alphabet in sign language to connect with the patient and provide quality care. She was struck by the patient’s determination and joy during therapy. This experience changed her perspective on life and ignited her passion for neurological physical therapy.

Building on these experiences, after completing multiple graduate school applications and a competitive interview process, Moody was accepted into the University of South Dakota’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program and will begin her education in July. “Mount Marty prepared me by providing a strong academic foundation, mentorship from professors, and leadership experiences that developed my confidence and skills,” Moody said. She had the opportunity to shadow numerous clinics and hospital settings during her time at Mount Marty and to participate in an internship, where classroom-learned ideas and concepts were applied in real-world settings. “The combination of rigorous coursework, hands-on experiences and guidance from faculty helped me be competitive and prepared for doctorate of physical therapy school.”

Moody isn’t sure where her physical therapy dreams will lead after earning her doctorate, but she is drawn to caring for children and those battling neurological challenges. She hopes to be a physical therapist who “leads with heart, serves with purpose and provides compassionate care.” Her advice to aspiring physical therapists is to “study, pay attention and take notes. And get to know your classmates. Having peers to ask questions with and learn with is vital.”

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About Mount Marty University

Founded in 1936 by the Sisters of Sacred Heart Monastery, Mount Marty University is South Dakota's only Catholic, Benedictine institution of higher education. Located along the bluffs of the Missouri River in Yankton, with additional locations in Watertown and Sioux Falls, Mount Marty offers undergraduate and graduate degrees focusing on student and alumni success in high-demand fields such as health sciences, education, criminal justice, business, accounting, recreation management, and more. A community of learners in the Benedictine tradition, Mount Marty emphasizes academic excellence and develops well-rounded students with intellectual competence, professional and personal skills and moral, spiritual and social values. To learn more, visit mountmarty.edu.