Meet the SSIG Members | Featuring Tashelle Peigan, SPT

Welcome to the 4th ‘Meet the SSIG Members!’ The Student Special Interest Group is made up of student PTs and student PTAs from across the country – and we want to highlight them and their passion for the profession! ‘Meet the SSIG Members’ has the purpose of connecting students interested in pelvic and women’s health by introducing them to one another and our community through the APTA Pelvic Health Student Special Interest Group. We would like this engagement to promote personal development, networking, and friendship opportunities.

Name/Year in School/Program Name:

Tashelle Peigan, 2nd Year DPT student at University of Wisconsin-Madison

Why are you interested in Pelvic Health Physical Therapy?

I could go on and on about all the reasons I am pursuing Pelvic Health–really the reasons have evolved since I started my journey. However, one thing remains true…I want to shatter the stigmas and eliminate the shame around sex, the bladder and bowel, and the continuum of pregnancy. As well as protect the people who need our expertise the most.

What are you most excited for your upcoming Pelvic Health Clinical Rotation OR what did you love most about your Pelvic Health Clinical Rotation?

On my never-ending pursuit to becoming a Pelvic Health PT, I started shadowing with Pelvic PTs sophomore year of undergrad and have come as far as having a 4-week clinical after my 1st year of PT school. In my third and final year of PT school I will have two 9-week opportunities within Pelvic Health, and I could not be more excited to finally use ALL the skills I’ve learned! The thing I am looking forward to the most is having the ability to complete internal exams on my patients.

Why do you believe it is important to be an active member of the SSIG and/or what have you gotten out of being a member of the SSIG?

Being a member of the SSIG has connected me with so many people with the same passion. It has opened so many doors for me to grow my knowledge and love for Pelvic Health early in my career. And most importantly, I think being active in this great community we have has prepared me to take the next steps to reaching my goals!

Any advice you might like to share for students looking to get involved in Pelvic Health Physical Therapy?

Join the SSIG! Follow all the amazing Pelvic PT social media accounts. And remember that Pelvic Health is not practiced in a silo–you can combine any area you want with this field because EVERYONE has a pelvic floor!

What you love to do outside of PT school?

Outside of PT school, I love to be active! I have been a volleyball player all my life, so coming to graduate school I had to find what my new, competitive outlet would be. I have tried everything from spin classes, to boot camps, running a half marathon, and have now landed on exploring the world of CrossFit.

APTA Pelvic Health Student SIG