When Kevin Do ‘15 ( DPT) was trying to find his path in life, he knew he wanted to help people. Making a difference, giving back to his community, and being involved in fitness was something he strived for, and when he found physical therapy, he realized he could have all of those things at once. Kevin was inspired by UIndy’s “Education for Service” motto and loved that he could give back to the community while earning his degree.
Kevin soon found out that UIndy isn’t just committed to community service, but also to a rigorous education with high standards. “I struggled with academia,” Kevin said. “But my professor, James Bellew, always supported me and had my back. He kept faith in me.” Kevin found a mentor in Dr. Bellew—someone he could look up to.
Dr. James Bellew, professor at UIndy’s Krannert School of Physical Therapy, showed his students how to become good working professionals, and also set the expectation for the path ahead. “Looking back, the coursework was hard for a reason. It prepared us for the national exam as well as helping us become outstanding clinicians. I didn’t appreciate it at the time,” Kevin said. “But my professors showed me that even though they’re busy, they make time for the things that are important to them—like working in the pro-bono clinic on campus or volunteering in the Indy community.”
When Dr. Bellew asked Kevin and his classmates to volunteer at a Special Olympics event, it was a no-brainer for Kevin. “He didn’t just ask us to come. He said, ‘You can be there with me.’ For him to actually be there showed his commitment to the community and just showed that we could look up to him as a mentor.” Kevin was so inspired by this act of service that he made it a point to continue volunteering even after graduation—he even reached out to become a powerlifting coach to individuals with special needs. “I kind of fell in love with it. Having a medical background really helped me thrive.”
Soon, Kevin was selected to Coach Team Ohio Powerlifting at the 2022 USA Special Olympic Games. “Something small turned out to be something amazing,” Kevin said. His team took home multiple medals, despite some setbacks during the competition. “They didn’t make any excuses. When it was their time to shine, they put on a show.” All of Kevin’s athletes were able to take home a medal. Now, he’s been coaching for eight years.
There was also a service trip to Belize during his time at UIndy that Kevin was able to be a part of. “It was a tremendous experience,” Kevin said. “It’s something I will always remember. It really helped me grow as a clinician and showed me how lucky I am.” Because of this trip, Kevin won the Outstanding Volunteer Award.
Kevin is very grateful for his time at the University of Indianapolis. “There are a lot of opportunities at UIndy, big and small. And my professors had an impact on me that was bigger than just my education.” Kevin feels lucky to have had these professors and opportunities, and is motivated to continue down a similar path of clinical excellence and community service.
