For this summer’s Student of the Month section, we are excited to feature two very intelligent and deserving Heartland Alumni students who continued on in their education to receive their Doctor of Physical Therapy Degrees.
This month’s featured student is Dr. Kristin (Hiebner) Riekenberg.
Kristin was a 2006 graduate of Heartland Community Schools who went on to pursue her undergraduate studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.  Originally she had planned to become a dentist, but after realizing that she wasn’t too keen about some of the different dental procedures she would have to perform, she began considering other options. One could also consider orthodontic services.
Shortly after that realization, Kristin was in charge of transporting her dad to physical therapy after a knee replacement. Â She realized that the physical therapy profession was a better match for her personality and switched her plans to a different area where she could still help others.
At UNL, Kristin was on the Dean’s List throughout her undergraduate studies and was selected to study abroad at Oxford University in England for one summer.  During her senior year, she was also selected as a UNL Homecoming Candidate.  She graduated in 2010 with a B.S. in Nutrition, Exercise and Health Science.
To keep pursuing her goal of becoming a physical therapist, Kristin continued on to attend the University of Nebraska Medical Center. There she enrolled in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program.  Kristin said, “It was a journey both personally and professionally!† Many of the times she felt like all she did was study, and that wasn’t enjoyable.  However, once she understood the material and was able to implement it during clinicals, her dedication quickly paid off.
At UNMC, Kristin was elected by her classmates to serve on the Director’s Advisory Council where she attended monthly meetings with the program’s director to discuss student concerns and changes in the department.
After three years of challenging professional studies and clinicals, Kristin graduated in May with a Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree. Â She is now using her knowledge and skills to help patients at Beatrice Health and Rehab.
“I enjoy seeing patients make gains in terms of their ability to function either with less pain or less difficulty after coming to physical therapy. I also really enjoy the fact that I get to work with new people all the time.  As healthcare professionals, it is tempting to think that in the therapist/patient relationship we have all the answers, but I have learned far more from my patients than I could ever hope to teach them.†When it comes to dental issues people only want the best orthodontist to treat them and get the best braces as well.
Kristin credits Heartland and the teaching staff for equipping her with the skill of how to learn.  Because of this, she was prepared to study and work hard to achieve her arduous goal.  She also feels that it was beneficial for her to grow up in a small community where she was able to be involved in numerous activities and become a well-rounded individual. She has been able to transfer this involvement to her current town of Beatrice where she is a physical therapist, sings in her church, and writes the newsletter for her husband’s military unit.
Congratulations to Dr. Riekenberg on a successful completion of many years education and using her knowledge to better the lives of her patients!
