OSI-Logo-Retina

Meet The Team: Emily Pocrnich, Clinical Assistant

Meet The Team: Emily Pocrnich, Clinical Assistant

A Little About Me:

Emily-Pocrnich1I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor of Science degree in Rehabilitation Psychology. I plan on attending graduate school to obtain my Master’s in Occupational Therapy. I recently began my career as a clinic assistant at the Stillwater OSI clinic. I am excited to grow in knowledge and experience from the qualified professionals at OSI.

My career at OSI started in a fitting and unconventional way. Two summers ago I was a patient at OSI being treated for shin splints by therapist Sarah Lumby. I was training for my first marathon and still very much a running novice. Sarah got me back to running just in time, and I ended up qualifying for the Boston Marathon with her help. The return to running program built my legs enough to complete the 26.2 miles with almost no pain!

Emily-Pocrnich-at-Boston-Marathon-2-720x960Although I had qualified, I decided not to run Boston in 2013 because I was planning on going abroad. I’m not sure if it was fate but it ended up being a blessing that I did not compete in the Boston Marathon that year. The Boston Marathon bombing had a huge impact on my life and our nation as a whole. I could not get over the fact that an act like this could tarnish such a historical event for which many people had trained their entire lives. On April 15th 2013 I decided that I needed to re-qualify for the Boston Marathon in 2014 to show that the spirit of the marathon and the American people lived on. Compelled by this goal I ran my fastest marathon at Grandma’s in June of 2013. As I saw the time flash above me at the finish line I breathed a sigh of relief, finally I was Boston bound.

Emily-Pocrnich-at-Boston-MarathonTraining for the Boston Marathon during one of the coldest winters I can remember made completing it an even greater accomplishment. I will never forget the million spectators and over 32,000 runners who showed up in Boston that day to take back their city. I think the event was so emotionally charged that I forgot to listen to my body during the race. After leaving Boston, as the delayed onset muscle soreness faded a sharp pain in my foot persisted. It was time once again to head back to OSI and see what Sarah had to say.

I was sure that a case of tendinosis and a descended bone in my foot was no match for Sarah. She had me back to running in a matter of weeks. Not only did she get me healthy and running again, but she also informed me about an open position at OSI. I applied immediately, my experience as a patient at OSI made me jump at the opportunity to work at such a great place. And well, the rest is history. I believe that there is a reason for everything that happens in my life. If it takes an injury in the Boston Marathon to lead me to my next career opportunity, I’ll take it.

Thanks for reading!

– Emily