Michael Yiallourides

Michael graduated from the Department of Kinesiology at TU as an exercise science major. Back then, he and his cohorts had most of their classes in the Towson Center rather than in Burdick Hall, the current home of TU Kinesiology. “What I enjoyed most about the program was the whole curriculum being for lack of a better term, well rounded. There were the didactic parts and there were the hands-on parts such as doing clinical rotations and an internship. It was a good mix of a variety of things,” says Michael.

When he first came to TU, he did not know what doors his degree and his major could open, and what they might lead to. “I learned more about the flexibility of what an Exercise Science degree could turn into. I originally went into Exercise Science with my mind set on being a Physical Therapist and going to Physical Therapy (PT) school like a lot of Exercise Science students do after graduation. Then through required clinical rotations and different experiences, my eyes were opened to what else you can do with this degree, and even more so as I got older, and more experienced,” says Michael.

After earning his Master’s degree in Orthotics and Prosthetics (O&P) at the University of Pittsburgh, Michael became a certified Prosthetist and Orthotist, and is now working at a private clinic in Essex, New Jersey. He sees patients for both specialties. Prosthetics refers to prosthetic limbs, primarily legs for amputees. Orthotics refers to orthopedic bracings. Michael said that the best part about what he does now is seeing the looks on his patients’ faces when he is able to give them their new prostheses. The feeling that he gets by giving someone the ability to do something that they could not do before is definitely very rewarding.

Michael said that he did not initially have his mind set on O&P. He went back home to NJ after graduating from TU and found a job at an orthopedic surgeon's office, where he was responsible for doing off-the-shelf bracing for post-operative care and sports injuries, like ACL braces. “So, I worked there for about a year and realized that I enjoyed doing it way more than anything else I had done to that point, and looked into school for it, and found out more about it at the time. I didn't realize that O and P really coupled so closely together,” says Michael.

“ The biggest advice for students in TU Kinesiology and Exercise Science, specifically, is just to get experience. Diversify whatever experience you can get. ”

The biggest advice for students in TU Kinesiology and Exercise Science, specifically, is just to get experience. Diversify whatever experience you can get, even if you're not going to go to O and P school and you're set on PT School or something else, check out an O and P clinic for a day or two. You're inevitably going to run into that population along the way, and it gives you a broader base, and a wider foundation of knowledge for when you're in the field, working whatever aspect. Getting in-person experience, that's my best advice.

Are you interested in the O and P field?  If so, consider joining the O and P Student Club! Please contact Club President, Grace Dietz at mgdietz2 AT_STUDENTS_TOWSON or VP Brandon Brown at bbrown62 AT_STUDENTS_TOWSON for more information about upcoming club meetings and events.