UHart Physical Therapy Students Bring Care to an Island Ravaged by Multiple Storms

Learning Beyond the Classroom

The storms meant many residents were navigating daily life with limited resources-so Skillen and the UHart team had to treat patients using items they already had at home.

"On the mainland, we often recommend something patients can order online, but in Saipan, an Amazon delivery can take weeks," she says. "I learned to think creatively and meet patients where they are. Even when diagnoses are similar, treatment has to reflect a person's culture, environment, and available resources."

Many of Skillen's patients were military veterans, which challenged Skillen to think differently, especially about communication.

"Their descriptions of pain were often communicated through facial expressions, changes in breathing, or movement rather than direct verbal statements," she explains. "Learning to recognize those cues required a different level of attentiveness. It reminded me that communication isn't just verbal. It's relational and built on trust."

By the end of the trip, Skillen says faculty members were pointing out changes in her own communication skills-and in her confidence. "They told me they could see a difference in my body language and the way I communicated with patients," she says. "That helped me realize I know more than I often give myself credit for. Simply taking the time to listen and trusting my clinical abilities made all the difference."

Listening became one of the most valuable clinical skills she developed.

"Understanding my patients' daily routines and responsibilities helped shape my treatment approach more than any textbook could," she says. "With limited time, I had to focus on education, so patients felt confident continuing their care after we left."

Skillen is quick to credit UHart faculty members for ensuring students were well prepared long before they boarded the plane. Classroom discussion, led by a faculty member who had previously lived and practiced in Saipan, gave students valuable background on the island's culture, health care system, and patient population.

"We felt supported every step of the way," she says.

A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity

For prospective students considering UHart's Doctor of Physical Therapy program, Skillen's message is simple: embrace opportunities that take you beyond the classroom.

"I would encourage anyone to participate without hesitation," she says. "It's a rare opportunity that very few programs offer. This experience strengthened my clinical decision-making, improved my communication skills, and broadened my understanding of what patient-centered care truly means."

Even with a typhoon bearing down, Skillen says if she could do it all over again, she absolutely would.

"This experience reminded me why I chose physical therapy. To serve, to listen, and to connect," Skillen reflects. "Saipan will always hold a special place in my heart."