McKinzey Dierkes
“People who live in more rural areas often have to drive several hours in order to get the care they need. When I learned that WVU was trying to combat this issue, I knew it would be a great place for me to learn and get my degrees.”
McKinzey Dierkes is the first student in the Division of Physical Therapy to be a part of a dual enrollment program, allowing her to combine her passion for patient care and clinical research. Dierkes is in her third year of the doctoral physical therapy program and first year of the clinical translational sciences Ph.D. program.
Coming from a small town in Ohio, Dierkes has always had a passion for rural healthcare. When she saw WVU Medicine’s expansion in her area and noticed the university’s commitment to advancing healthcare in rural areas, Dierkes knew she wanted to further her education at WVU.
“People who live in more rural areas often have to drive several hours in order to get the care they need,” said Dierkes. “When I learned that WVU was trying to combat this issue, I knew it would be a great place for me to learn and get my degrees.”
Dierkes is actively involved in research at the University, with a primary focus on oncologic research. She believes that research is key to providing the best care possible to patients.
“My research has given me a better perspective and helped me look at patients more holistically,” said Dierkes. “I know to look for barriers that patients may have in receiving the healthcare that they need, and can help them overcome those obstacles so they can be provided with better, well-rounded care.”
At the 2023 Van Liere Research Conference, Dierkes presented a poster on the impact of tele-health intervention among rural older adults in West Virginia. Using the Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance fall-prevention program, she found tele-exercise intervention to be effective in improving gait speed, balance, lower extremity strength and body mass index in rural older adults.
Working alongside experienced professionals is another highlight of Dierkes’ time at the University.
“There are a lot of opportunities in the program to work with faculty that have certifications in unique specialties,” said Dierkes. “We have so many specialists I get to learn from every day. For example, there is only one board-certified oncology clinical specialist in West Virginia, and I just completed a rotation with her.”
Dierkes says she enjoys what she is studying, but what makes her education unique is her classroom experience, “My class is a tight-knit group. Students and the professors get along really well, and we have fun while we learn.”
Set to graduate around 2026, Dierkes says she doesn’t have her future planned out yet, but she loves what she does and is excited for what’s next.
“I always say that my dream job is to be a lifelong learner, whether that’s learning in the clinic or in my continued research, my goal is to never stop learning.”