by Logan Wathen, DPT
Some journeys begin with a setback. Mine began at 16 years old with a torn ACL.
As a high school student, I found myself walking through the doors of Northern Michigan Sports Medicine Center as a patient, unsure of what the road ahead would look like. For the next nine months, I worked closely with my physical therapist, Karin Leland, rebuilding not only the strength in my leg but also my confidence. Recovery wasn’t always easy, but I showed up to physical therapy at 7:00 a.m. before school two to three times each week, determined to get back to doing what I loved.
Those early mornings became about more than rehabilitation. I remember Karin asking me one day what I planned to do after graduating high school. As a senior, I told her I wanted to become a physical therapist. At the time, it felt like a dream, but one that she encouraged me and helped make feel possible.
As I pursued my undergraduate degree at Grand Valley State University, I knew I wanted to make sure physical therapy was truly the career for me. I returned to Northern Michigan Sports Medicine Center, this time as a physical therapy aide. Working alongside talented clinicians for several years gave me invaluable hands-on experience and confirmed what I had already begun to realize during my own rehabilitation: helping others regain their strength, confidence, and independence was exactly what I wanted to do with my life.
That journey continued when I began physical therapy school at Central Michigan University. During my clinical education, I had the incredible opportunity to complete a rotation at the Charlevoix clinic under the mentorship of Molly and Joel. Learning from therapists who shared the same commitment to patient-centered care that first inspired me was an experience I’ll always value.
Today, I feel incredibly fortunate to have come full circle. I have returned to the very company that played such a significant role in shaping both my recovery and my career, this time as a fully licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy. I now have the privilege of treating patients in both the Charlevoix and Harbor Springs clinics.
Looking back, it’s amazing to think that what started as a difficult injury ultimately led me to my life’s calling. Every patient who walks through our doors has their own story, goals, and challenges. Having once been in their shoes, I understand the uncertainty that can come with an injury, but I also know the life-changing impact that compassionate care and dedicated rehabilitation can have.
Northern Michigan Sports Medicine Center helped me grow from a patient into a professional. I’m grateful for every early morning therapy session, every mentor who invested in me, and every opportunity that brought me back home. Now, it’s my turn to help others write the next chapter in their own recovery stories.
