New PTA Chair Comes With Both Real World and Teaching Experience

Born in Amsterdam, Enid Halewyn grew up in Oregon and has lived mostly on the West Coast. But she has made the journey east to call Wisconsin home and to serve as the new  Administrative Chair for the Physical Therapy and Health Occupations programs.

Enid received her bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy from Pacific University and a master’s in Teaching at George Fox University. She then went on to receive a doctorate degree in Physical Therapy from the University of South Dakota.

After starting in high school education as a girls’ soccer coach, Enid was encouraged to get a teaching degree. Working in a clinical setting, she taught part-time in a high school Health Careers program. She continued mostly in outpatient orthopedics for 28 years before teaching in a Physical Therapy Assistant program, which gave her a surprising result.

“I had no idea that I would love it so much,” she said. “I never looked back.”

In her time at Blackhawk so far, Enid says the friendliness and willingness to help from people here is what she’s enjoyed the most. She also appreciates the student-centered educational philosophies.

One of those philosophies, flexible education in a supportive environment, is important to Enid because every student comes from a different place with a different background and history.

“To be flexible and supportive means no matter where you come from, everyone here starts with a clean slate and is allowed the tools to be successful,” she said.

Outside of work, Enid has one daughter who is an interventional radiology Physical Assistant in Oregon. In her spare time, Enid likes to hike, bike, read, quilt and go to movies. She also volunteers for an organization called Days for Girls by sewing washable menstrual kits for girls and women in underserved countries.

October is National Physical Therapy Month, aimed to raise awareness among consumers about the many benefits of physical therapy and appreciate what PTs, PTAs, and students do to transform lives.