Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Alycia Noel. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Alycia, thanks for joining us today. How’s you first get into your field – what was your first job in this field?
I had just completed my Master’s in Physical Therapy at the University of Texas Medical Branch and I knew I wanted to further my education but wanted to gain some additional experience while I completed that process. I was familiar with several of the facilities because of clinical rotations but I was searching for a facility that would allow flexibility to further my education as well as provide an innovative environment for me to grow and thrive in. In this day and time physical therapist are in high demand because of the aging of the baby boomers. After some time searching I found a position in a local practice that met all my criteria and it wasn’t too far from home. The tenured therapist at this practice challenged me in ways that inspired me to continue with furthering my education and eventually open my own practice. Physical therapy is a competitive field but a very rewarding one as well.
Alycia, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I am Dr. Alycia Noel, P.T. A native Houstonian that is a wife of Pastor BJ Noel and mother of 4 beautiful children. I am also the lead therapist at Healing Hands Therapy and Wellness where it is our goal to help individual move beyond their limits. We are a faith based practice that believes there are truly no limits with God. We currently a providing physical therapy services in the Greater Houston area while partnering with local churches to host wellness classes to promote health in our communities. As a recipient of God’s grace, mercy and forgiveness, I am so grateful God has trusted me with the gift to inspire people through movement and assist them in removing the limits that prevent them from achieving maximum function. Partnering with God to bring Healing Hands to fruition has been my faith walk and God is faithful.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
From high school, I alway knew that I knew that I wanted to work individuals recover from illness, injury or surgery so I sat out to obtain the appropriate education and take the appropriate steps to achieve that goal. Initially I thought I only wanted to work with athletes so I joined the athletic training team at my university and I enjoyed it, but I wanted more. So I applied for a early acceptance program into UTMB my Freshman year of College, which required me to keep a GPA of 3.5 or above in all my math and science classes and attend a Summer program in Galveston every summer until I graduate. Completing all these steps along with the application for admission at UTMB would guarantee me a position at the school. I was accepted into the program, which was unheard of for a Freshman in college. Well, I keep my word I met all the requirements, submitted my application, completed the interviews with UTMB and I received a letter that I was not select to be apart of that physical therapy program. I was devastated, but I knew God must have a better plan for me so… I prayed and fasted for a week and even began to apply at other universities. On a Friday afternoon, the phone rang and it was the department of admissions at UTMB… they were reaching out because they didn’t see my name on the acceptance list and wanted to know what happened with my application. I explained everything and they requested to give me a call back. On Monday morning, I received a call notifying me that I was accepted into the program and that I needed to report to campus to sign some documentation. That moment taught me that delay is not denial… don’t give up if God said it that settles it. even when we can’t see God, He is working things out for us.
Have you ever had to pivot?
After working as a physical therapist for 7 years, I decided I wanted to explorer my first love, which was Information technology. The hospital that I was employed for at the time was exploring electronic health records, this was the perfect opportunity for me to combine two things I loved… Healthcare and IT. I learned the ends and out of the system and was blessed to be offered a job in the information technology department at the facility. I was able to continue to make an impact on people’s lives in healthcare but in a different way. I was also able to continue my physical therapy role PRN on the weekends at the facility to keep up my skills as a physical therapist. Obtaining this position was perfect timing because only God knew that my husband and I would continue to grow our family at this time and I would need the additional flexibility in my schedule that the IT role provided.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healinghandstherapyandwellness?igsh=MTRyaTNhcm42MjFtNQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HealingHandsTherapyandWellness?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alycia-n-90b267a6?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app