Expected Graduation Date: December 2016
Program/Concentration: DC, Sports Med
Hometown: St. Croix, Virgin Islands
Prior experience: BS Sports Biology, at Springfield College, MA
Worked at a rehabilitation center in St. Croix, and travelled to New Zealand and Argentina.
Sissel was born in Denmark on an island between Zealand and Jutland and moved to the Virgin Islands when she was four years old. In her teen years, she played on the Virgin Islands national youth and professional women’s soccer teams. When she was 20 years old, she represented the Virgin Islands in the University, National and World Triathlon Championships, allowing her to travel to New Zealand.
Her early experience as an athlete led to her introduction to chiropractic. Now that she is in chiropractic school, Sissel continues to run and train. She recently competed in the McKenzie River 50K Trail Run, finishing as the eighth female overall. She also enjoys painting. See some of her paintings below!
1. Why did you choose UWS? Why did you choose your program/concentration? I shadowed an alumnus in the Virgin Islands, Dr. Kelly Brown. I really liked the way she managed her practice. She has a yoga and meditation studio attached to her practice and spends a lot of time with her patients, which they really appreciate.
What has been your favorite class/instructor? Neurophysiology – I learned the most in that class and I love Jim Carollo! I love how thorough he is and I like the way he approaches teaching with diagrams and drawings. I learn the best that way.
What is your favorite part about attending UWS as a student? Everyone is really outgoing, nice and willing to help you, no matter what. It’s not a closed-off environment. Whether it is getting help with teachers or other students, there’s always somebody willing to help you do better.
What has been the most surprising part of attending UWS? It hasn’t been that rainy! I was surprised with the work load in the program. It’s really difficult to completely master a subject when so much information is presented in such little time.
What do you hope to do after graduation? I’m planning on going into the masters in sports medicine program because I definitely want to work with athletes. I don’t necessarily want to travel around with a team, but I want athletes to have a place to come to me for wellness care and mindfulness. I have options to practice in Denmark or the Virgin Islands, but I love the Pacific NW.
What is your favorite thing about Portland? All of the extracurricular activities. There’s never a dull moment, I’m never bored and it helps me balance with school.
What is your favorite thing to do in Portland? Running, trails, races, concerts, restaurants. There’s tons to do.
What’s your favorite lunch room menu item? The stuffed mushrooms.
What has been the hardest class you have taken? Physiology II or Biochem II
What is your favorite way to get some stress out from school? Running the trails at Rocky Butte. I also paint a lot. I actually do abstract anatomical artwork. I did a whole art show called “Vertebral Subluxation” in St. Croix and sold all of the pieces to local chiropractors. It was really cool because I could teach people about chiropractic through my artwork.
*Profile photo credit of Thomas Moser Photography