Achieving major goals is nothing new to recent graduate Macie Bowman. With her recently completed degree in exercise science, Bowman is pursuing her doctorate in occupational therapy at the University of Central Arkansas. 

“I chose to pursue occupational therapy because I always knew I wanted to work in the medical field but I didn’t know which avenue to take,” Bowman said. 

With the opportunity to shadow different professionals, Bowman was able to figure out which route to take. 

“Occupational therapy stood out to me because it didn’t just look for what the problem was and then try to fix it, but looked at the person as a whole and try to help them improve overall,” Bowman said. 

While many practices use the same stretches and workouts for each patient, Bowman found that occupational therapy offered a different approach. 

“It’s a diversified approach specific to each patient,” Bowman said. “The amount of ways to help a person achieve a goal seems almost limitless and the freedom to think outside the box in this field is not only encouraged but expected. Every person is different and occupational therapy recognizes that and dives right into that approach.”

Bowman is glad to have found a career she thoroughly enjoys and is thankful for the Occupational Therapy department of UCA

“My favorite part of occupational therapy is that it takes a holistic approach to therapy. The whole person is treated rather than just one part of the body,” Bowman said. “Mind and body go hand in hand in how a person functions, so by looking at the person as a whole you are able to help them achieve social, occupational, physical, and learning goals.”

Although Bowman has ascertained the goals she can accomplish within education, it hasn’t been a painless journey.

“I have always loved school, but what most people don’t know is that when I was younger I struggled with ADHD,” Bowman said. “I had to be in small groups pulled from class for one on one work with teachers to stay in line with other students. I even had to have a 504 plan which is accommodations in school to keep up.”

Bowman didn’t allow this to affect her pursuit of education but used it as a tool to help her. In return, she wants to put that help back into the world. 

“I still loved to learn and because of the help I received, I have been able to get to where I am today. I want to be that help for kids that need it,” Bowman said. “That’s what drives me the most to finish my schooling.” 

Bowman doesn’t hesitate to show her love for the university.

“UCA is a place where it’s big enough to meet someone new everyday but small enough where I see familiar faces everywhere I go. It’s all about making connections for me and the connections that I have made here is something I will cherish forever. We truly are a family,” Bowman said.

After graduating with her doctorate from UCA, Bowman plans on moving back to her hometown in Northwest Arkansas to be closer to family and have a bigger job market.