A champion of the underserved, Maria Rengifo has worked tirelessly for Boston, Northeastern, and an indigenous community in Ecuador. She maintains a 3.88 GPA, has been on the Dean’s List every semester, and is in the fifth year of the DPT program with minors in both Spanish and psychology. Her strong academic background and passion for helping others are responsible for her numerous achievements.
At Northeastern, Maria is a member of the Latin American Student Organization and member of the founding executive board of the university’ s Alpha Chi Lambda chapter. In both organizations, Maria coordinated and participated in events to benefit domestic violence awareness organizations.
As a leader and participant in NU ACES , Maria participated in spring break service trips to Otovalo, Ecuador. There, she helped implement a learn-to-swim program for caretakers and conducted research on an aquatic physical therapy program for children. This, she says, is her most significant achievement. “It pulled volunteering, physical therapy and academia together, and although challenging, it was extremely rewarding,” she says. “The memories will last me a lifetime.”
Maria’s current international service learning experience is the culmination of a capstone course. She is one of 11 DPT students and two faculty leaders who have traveled to Ecuador and provided pro-bono physical therapy to orphans with disabilities. Associate Professor Lorna Hayward, one of the accompanying faculty leaders, says, “Maria stands out as an absolute star.”
Additionally, Maria has participated in co-ops at Shriners Hospital for Children, where she helped treat burn patients during acute and reconstructive phases, and at Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital, where she works in inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation. She has also served as a rehab volunteer at the Christian Health Care Center in New Jersey and helped physical, occupational, and speech therapists during treatment sessions for children with special needs in Texas.
A student who gives generously of her time, Maria has been a peer mentor, team leader, tutor, lab teaching assistant, fundraiser, translator, personal care assistant, and sports medicine student manager. Once she completes her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at Northeastern, she hopes to work as a pediatric physical therapist.
Professor Hayward says of Maria, “As a future physical therapist dedicated to healthcare and the service of others and diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, I am confident that she will continue to grow into an adept and compassionate Husky alumna.”
As a future physical therapist dedicated to healthcare and the service of others and diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, I am confident that she will continue to grow into an adept and compassionate Husky alumna.”
Professor Hayward