Alumna of the Issue Jacqueline Adolph ’00 has found a career as an instructor and prosthetist at the UT Southwestern School of Health Professions, in which she can combine two of her field interests: engineering and medicine. Before starting her job, Adolph earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering and Bachelor of Science Degree in Biomedical Engineering from Washington University in St. Louis, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Prosthetics and Orthotics at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, did a residency for two years and then passed board exams to receive her credentials. She also recently received her Master of Business Administration from Texas Women’s University. As a prosthetist, she evaluates, treats and helps with the rehab of patients in order to help them gain or return function through prosthetics, artificial limbs and orthotics, a form of bracing.

What do you love most about your job?

The fact that I can make a difference every day and that I can see it. I am able to see a patient who comes in who may not be able to walk, but with my device they are able to leave my office walking.

What has been your most rewarding project so far?

Probably some braces for a child. She was four years old and she couldn’t walk very well. She had a lot of weakness in her legs and when I made some braces for her she was able to walk and keep up with her peers and play.

What advice do you have for students who want to pursue careers in the medical or engineering fields?

To be open to all different types of careers. There isn’t just the option of becoming a doctor. There are so many possibilities whether that’s prosthetic orthotics, nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy [or] rehab therapy. There are so many different ways that you can get involved in the medical profession and still fulfill that need of helping people in medicine but by doing something different.