Every year a new batch of bright students are elected as the Student Physical Therapy Association Executive Board officers. The Board’s role is to organize meetings to form student committees, plan events within our own program and with other health discipline programs, address questions, concerns and ideas, and make sure there is overall cohesiveness among the students.
Get to know this year’s class of 2021 SPTA officers.
Jack DeLoach, President
I graduated from UF in 2018 with a degree in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology with a minor in Health Disparities in Society. I think laughter and exercise are the best things we can do for our bodies; and helping all kids move, laugh, and celebrate their abilities is why I am passionate about pediatric physical therapy! I ran for SPTA President to help foster a culture of positivity and growth among the Class of 2021. I’m overwhelmingly grateful and proud to call this class my family and be able to serve them in any way I can.
Taylan Wolfe, Vice President
I received my Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences from the University of Central Florida. I’m passionate about working with the pediatric population, and I am excited to see where that field takes me. As Vice President, I get the honor of working alongside the rest of the SPTA Board and serve as an ambassador for the class of 2021. Family is everything to me and our class has quickly become my family here in Gainesville. Our class is full of inspiring, intelligent, kind-hearted individuals who all have the altruistic goal of improving the human experience. I’m extremely grateful to be a student physical therapist at the University of Florida and to serve on the SPTA board for the class of 2021.
Ellen Waidner, Treasurer
I received my Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from Florida State University. I am still somewhat undecided about what field of PT I would like to work in, but I am leaning towards neuro or pediatrics. I decided to run for SPTA Treasurer because I wanted to be able to be a voice for our class and a good representative of our program. I truly believe that the Class of 2021 is a family. As SPTA Treasurer, I want to encourage our class to utilize this strong bond to make each other the best people and professionals we can be.
Susan Ho, Secretary
I earned my Bachelor of Science in Psychology at the University of Florida. Interacting with children, especially as a camp counselor and a special needs school teacher, has brought me a lot of joy and fulfillment. This has led me to be most interested in working with the pediatric population. I’m ecstatic to return to the Gator Nation after working for several years. As Secretary, I work closely with the executive board to ensure everyone is up to date by creating weekly schedules and reminders, facilitating voting polls within our class, and serving as a liaison to provide frequent communication with our faculty.