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Calyn Key '13
Meet Calyn Key '13 whose passion for healthcare led her to a fulfilling career in physical therapy. From her early days as a student-athlete at GPS to earning her Doctorate in Physical Therapy, she shares her inspiring journey, the impact of her GPS experience, and her advice for current students. Read on to learn how she found her calling, the moments that shaped her path, and why Black History Month holds special meaning for her.
Q. Please give a brief overview of your trajectory after GPS and let us know what you are doing now.
A. After GPS, I attended Samford University in Birmingham, AL, and graduated in 2017 with a B.S in Exercise Science. Post-grad, I moved back to Chattanooga and worked as a Physical Therapy Tech for Center for Sports Medicine and Orthopaedics while preparing to apply to Physical Therapy schools. In 2021, I was accepted into University of Tennessee Health Science Center Doctorate of Physical Therapy program in Memphis, TN. I graduated PT school in May 2024 and passed my boards exam in July 2024. I currently work as a Doctor of Physical Therapy for Results Physiotherapy in Memphis, TN.
Q. Is your current role something you always knew you were interested in? If not, how did that interest develop?
A. I always wanted to be in health care, but I initially wanted to do athletic training because of the few times I was injured at GPS and worked with Robbie Williams. At Samford I was fortunate enough to work with the football team and while I loved the rehab side of it and helping athletes get back to the field after injury, I didn't love other parts so that's what led me to physical therapy.
Q. Why are you passionate about what you do?
A. I love being able to help people get back to a pain-free life when they didn't think that would be possible before coming to see me. It is very gratifying to help someone improve their quality of life, whether that's just being able to walk around the grocery store with less difficulties or getting back to competitive sports.
Q. What were you involved in while at GPS?
A. I was involved in basketball, soccer, and track.
Q. What was your favorite tradition at GPS? Why?
A. My favorite tradition is May Day. I loved that it gave every senior a chance to be in the spotlight and be celebrated when they otherwise might not have had that opportunity in other aspects at GPS.
Q. If you could offer one piece of advice to current GPS students, what would it be?
A. Take advantage of every opportunity given to you while at GPS. There are so many opportunities provided by GPS that you might not get otherwise, and you never know what might spark some passion or curiosity for you!
Q. Do you stay in touch with your classmates? What impact have they had on your life?
A. Probably one of the things I am the worst at is staying in touch with classmates, but when we do reconnect, it feels like no time has passed and we are right back to roaming the halls of GPS.
Q. Can you point to anything that GPS did to prepare you for your future?
A. I would say that GPS prepared me academically very well. When I got to college I remember being familiar with time management and spending time on my studies like I needed to compared to some of my classmates. Even with my doctoral program, there were some classmates who had to totally reinvent their studying habits, but I never did, and I think that GPS gave us a good framework of how to study successfully.
Q. Are there any experiences or memories from your time at GPS that really stick out?
A. One memory that really sticks out to me was the selection of the May Queen and May Court my senior year. I remember feeling so much joy when Tiana Mills was selected as our May Queen, and the fact that she was chosen as a representative of our class as a Black woman made that moment even better!
Q. What is your proudest accomplishment thus far?
A. My proudest accomplishment thus far is graduating with my Doctorate in Physical Therapy and passing my boards exam on my first try.
Q. Why is Black History Month important to you and why is it important that we acknowledge and honor the month here at GPS?
A. Black history is important because it is American History. Especially in a time of our country where Black voices are being silenced or ignored, it is important to always highlight those who came before us and paved the way for us to be where we are today; not only to remember what they went through, but to also not let their work go in vain and so that we can continue to push the envelope to make the world a better place for us and for the generations to come. It is even more important at GPS because, while the number of Black students who have been through those doors is smaller, we have a part in making GPS what it is today too, and our contributions aren't just on the court or on the field.
Read more GPS alumnae profiles here.
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Q. Please give a brief overview of your trajectory after GPS and let us know what you are doing now.
A. After GPS, I attended Samford University in Birmingham, AL, and graduated in 2017 with a B.S in Exercise Science. Post-grad, I moved back to Chattanooga and worked as a Physical Therapy Tech for Center for Sports Medicine and Orthopaedics while preparing to apply to Physical Therapy schools. In 2021, I was accepted into University of Tennessee Health Science Center Doctorate of Physical Therapy program in Memphis, TN. I graduated PT school in May 2024 and passed my boards exam in July 2024. I currently work as a Doctor of Physical Therapy for Results Physiotherapy in Memphis, TN.
A. I always wanted to be in health care, but I initially wanted to do athletic training because of the few times I was injured at GPS and worked with Robbie Williams. At Samford I was fortunate enough to work with the football team and while I loved the rehab side of it and helping athletes get back to the field after injury, I didn't love other parts so that's what led me to physical therapy.
Q. Why are you passionate about what you do?
A. I love being able to help people get back to a pain-free life when they didn't think that would be possible before coming to see me. It is very gratifying to help someone improve their quality of life, whether that's just being able to walk around the grocery store with less difficulties or getting back to competitive sports.
Q. What were you involved in while at GPS?
A. I was involved in basketball, soccer, and track.
Q. What was your favorite tradition at GPS? Why?
A. My favorite tradition is May Day. I loved that it gave every senior a chance to be in the spotlight and be celebrated when they otherwise might not have had that opportunity in other aspects at GPS.
Q. If you could offer one piece of advice to current GPS students, what would it be?
A. Take advantage of every opportunity given to you while at GPS. There are so many opportunities provided by GPS that you might not get otherwise, and you never know what might spark some passion or curiosity for you!
Q. Do you stay in touch with your classmates? What impact have they had on your life?
A. Probably one of the things I am the worst at is staying in touch with classmates, but when we do reconnect, it feels like no time has passed and we are right back to roaming the halls of GPS.
Q. Can you point to anything that GPS did to prepare you for your future?
A. I would say that GPS prepared me academically very well. When I got to college I remember being familiar with time management and spending time on my studies like I needed to compared to some of my classmates. Even with my doctoral program, there were some classmates who had to totally reinvent their studying habits, but I never did, and I think that GPS gave us a good framework of how to study successfully.
A. One memory that really sticks out to me was the selection of the May Queen and May Court my senior year. I remember feeling so much joy when Tiana Mills was selected as our May Queen, and the fact that she was chosen as a representative of our class as a Black woman made that moment even better!
Q. What is your proudest accomplishment thus far?
A. My proudest accomplishment thus far is graduating with my Doctorate in Physical Therapy and passing my boards exam on my first try.
A. Black history is important because it is American History. Especially in a time of our country where Black voices are being silenced or ignored, it is important to always highlight those who came before us and paved the way for us to be where we are today; not only to remember what they went through, but to also not let their work go in vain and so that we can continue to push the envelope to make the world a better place for us and for the generations to come. It is even more important at GPS because, while the number of Black students who have been through those doors is smaller, we have a part in making GPS what it is today too, and our contributions aren't just on the court or on the field.
Read more GPS alumnae profiles here.
