Brendan Chanko
PTA
Novi

Immediately after graduating from high school in 2020, I developed a passion for weight lifting, along with a new interest in nutrition and cooking. As I began taking basic prerequisite classes at my college, I began to realize I wanted to pursue some sort of career in either the exercise science or dietetics realm. After exploring various programs in Michigan for a few months, a family member of mine suggested physical therapy, and upon learning more about it, I realized that the work I would be doing lay right in the middle of all my interests. In Summer 2022, I started a position as a physical therapy technician at an outpatient clinic near my home in Canton, and immediately felt like I was in the right place. I then decided to apply for a spot in the PTA program at Washtenaw Community College. I was accepted, and began my studies in the fall of 2023. All my encounters in the PT world have been amazing so far, and the knowledge I have gained from working in the field for almost three years before even graduating has been invaluable. Working to help others achieve their goals while at the same time imparting knowledge about subjects I am truly passionate about makes my job so fulfilling! I have participated in multiple sports throughout my life, including baseball, basketball, cross country running, and most recently, golf! My knowledge of many sports, along with my thorough experience with weight training, gives me a special passion for treating athletes of any level. Outside of PT and athletics, I enjoy playing the guitar, exploring new genres of music, playing video games, trying new recipes, and watching mixed martial arts.