Meet Julia Johnson, a doctor of physical therapy graduate from Pretty Prairie, Kansas, and this year’s student commencement speaker for the College of Health Sciences. Julia chose physical therapy for its focus on connection—working closely with patients to build meaningful connections and help them regain independence. She was drawn to the field’s holistic approach, treating individuals as people, not just diagnoses. At URI, Julia stayed actively involved in both her program and the community. She participated in initiatives like the Parkinson’s Exercise Group, AMP-Surf, and community balance screenings, and served as the APTA Rhode Island student liaison for the Neurological Special Interest Group. These experiences allowed her to work with diverse populations, find community, and grow through service. Julia is most proud of developing a strong understanding of health literacy, which helped her navigate the demands of the program while maintaining a balanced approach to her own we...