Former Ranchos resident realizes a dream

Three years ago, Rebecca Goodspeed packed her Jeep and left for Omaha with the intention of becoming a physical therapist. Eight back-to-back semesters later, her hard work and dedication paid off when she graduated from Creighton University on May 10, 2008 as a doctor of physical therapy.

The former Gardnerville Ranchos resident returned to her Nebraska alma mater after three years of working as a physical therapy assistant and personal trainer for Ron Peck at Sierra Physical Therapy in Minden.

Of her experience at Creighton, Rebecca says, "I made great friendships. The professors and academics were great. I'd recommend the program to anyone."

The program was intense. Comprehensive course work made up the first two years. The final year was divided between five rotations of varying lengths in different geographical locations and physical therapy settings.

The first rotation was in Des Moines working in home health. Then Rebecca was off to Orem, Utah, to work at an outpatient sports clinic. Her third rotation was also the most remote. Accessing the Internet while in Carroll, Iowa, population 10,000, required a trip to the public library, as that was the only place it was available in the whole town.

She spent the longest rotation, 20 weeks, at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland. Her time was split between an ICU/trauma unit and an outpatient orthopedic clinic. Rebecca worked at another outpatient clinic and also in school-based pediatric therapy while in Cedar City, Utah, then wrapped up her work experience at Reno Sport and Spine, with an emphasis on manual therapy.

Not only did she travel for each different rotation, she was responsible for arranging her own accommodations in each area as well. She found a few places on Craig's List, and even managed to stay with family friend and former Gardnerville resident Jeannette Cox during one of her Utah assignments.

Next on the agenda is passing the two-day national board examination at the end of June. Rebecca will then marry fellow Creighton physical therapy graduate JD Allbright in July.

Rebecca and JD each caught the other's eye during Creighton's orientation in August 2005. The two became fast friends. As they advanced through their courses and got to know one another better, the "friendly flirting" began.

"We sat in the back row, JD, me and (fellow classmate) Amanda," Rebecca recalls with a smile. "JD would slide my chair close to his and I'd slide it back between the two of them."

Not to be deterred, the charming JD started offering more creative romantic gestures. He brought her a rose, conspired with a mutual friend to cook a special birthday breakfast for her and even showed up at the airport one time when she was expecting her roommate to pick her up.

Both being avid outdoor enthusiasts, he gave her a book about national parks. Upon opening it, Rebecca found a sticky note on the inside that read, "Will you be my girlfriend? Check yes or no," with the requisite boxes next to each choice.

Their relationship thrived in spite of the different clinical rotations. They spent every weekend together during the 20 weeks Rebecca was in Portland, a mere 2.5 hours away from JD's rotation in Tacoma, Wash.

This past January, following a fun and casual dinner at Ruby's on Southern California's Huntington Pier, JD proposed on the beach beneath a star-lit sky. The couple will exchange vows over the Fourth of July weekend and honeymoon in Yosemite before heading to New Mexico to start their life together.

Rebecca has been hired as a staff physical therapist at an outpatient sports clinic and JD will work with both in- and outpatients at a nearby hospital.

Congratulations to each of them on their outstanding academic achievements, and best wishes as they embark on this new adventure together. Local girl made good!

n Amy Roby can be reached by e-mail at ranchosroundup@hotmail.com.