Get to Know: Tremayne Prudhomme

Story by Abigail Castro

Tremayne’s decision to pursue a career in physical therapy was inspired by the combination of two passions. First, a deep, lifelong fascination with the complexity of the human body; and second, a more general interest in mechanical thinking and curiosity about how things work. He wanted a career that allowed him to think logically and creatively to solve a wide variety of unique challenges. Steering him toward a career in healthcare, Tremayne was also inspired by having medical providers of color while growing up. “I was always impressed with the knowledge and skills they possessed, and they eventually became role models who I desired to be like once I was older,” he says.

Tremayne hopes that his future career will be more than just a good job and source of personal fulfillment; he intends to give back to his community and inspire others the same way his providers inspired him. “I want to be an advocate for the education of preventative healthcare measures, the spread of resources, and proper care for those in need - in hope of advancing equity,” he says. He adds that he hopes to show young people with similar backgrounds that they can bring about positive generational changes in their lives and families through careers that they might not think of as accessible for young people of color.

The CU Physical Therapy Program has opened the door for Tremayne’s ambition. It has given him the opportunity to “build relationships, gain valuable knowledge, and develop as an individual,” he says. “The program’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion offers students like myself many chances to be exposed to new ideas and experiences that will help us not only be better providers but also better members of our communities.”

This Black History Month, Tremayne wants to recognize Black leaders “who have fought and struggled for the opportunities that are available for people of color today. Honoring them acknowledges the sacrifices they were willing to make to be seen as equals within a society that repeatedly told them they were less than. The impacts they made will forever have everlasting effects, and still to this day, give us inspiration to fight for a future in which there are no differences amongst races.”

In a step toward continuing that fight, Tremayne has taken on the role of Vice President for the CU PT class of 2025. “This position has allowed me the opportunity to step outside my comfort zone and be in a position where I can develop skills that will not only help me as a physical therapist but also as an individual navigating an ever-changing society,” he says.
Tremayne encourages future physical therapy students, and all people of color pursuing careers in healthcare “to not be afraid to take a chance on themselves.” He says they should embrace future opportunities and take advantage of the wide variety of career paths that are available in this industry. “We need more individuals of color within these various careers, because representation matters, and it is important to allow individuals to see figures of success to which they can relate,” he says. “You must be relentless in the pursuit of your goals and know that in the end, it will all be worth it.”

Get to Know: Dr. Adedayo Balogun

What made you want to pursue a career in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation? 
As a medical student, I had a wide and varied interest in all of my different clinical rotations. I had a strong interest in the musculoskeletal system, and the neurological and neuroanatomy courses. When I was exposed to a PM&R rotation, it was the first rotation that I felt completely in tune with the physicians that were present. It helped address all of the most important aspects of a person’s healthcare, and took into account all aspects of a person’s experience when taking part in their care.  

How has the CU PM&R residency program allowed you to pursue your goals? 
This residency program has so far allowed me to cultivate my experience and independence in different rehabilitation settings and learn how to navigate the different barriers and challenges that patients face routinely. I've been exposed to many different versions of being a PM&R physician, and I have had the ability to explore these different areas in a way that I can prepare myself for life after residency.

What is your “why”? 
My “why” is always to bring the best care to as many people that I can first and foremost. I want to be able to deliver that same care to people that have historically been overlooked, and taken advantage of as well. I aspire to provide patients that may not always feel seen or heard to understand that I’m taking their concerns to heart, and I understand the perspective that many of their other care providers may not. I also strive to be a positive example for others who may look like me or identify with me. I want to be more than an example, but a support system for those coming after me.  

February is a month to honor and celebrate Black leaders. What does this mean for you? 
Black History Month is an opportunity to take a step back and reflect on the ways that black people have contributed to the world. We have been leaders for change and equity, leaders in science, health care, ingenuity and all aspects of life. Being a leader, to me is about being accountable. I think that having priorities, morals, and standards, and holding strong to those values is all that it takes to be a leader.  

What leadership role(s) have you taken up and what impact have they had on you and your time in medical school or residency? As a medical student I took part in my school's Student National Medical Association (SNMA) chapter. As president of this chapter, we had a hand in reaching out to the community for other people to understand that becoming a physician was attainable, finishing school and going to the college opened plenty of doors, and providing support and guidance for undergraduate students that had an interest in going to medical school.  

Being a physician inherently occupies a leadership role. As a physiatrist, we regularly take part in team meetings, where we discuss patients with PT’s, OT’s, RN’s, social workers, case managers, and speech therapists. Sometimes, being a leader is understanding how the team functions most effectively, other times it’s trusting your teammates to their expertise and simply providing an overall team goal for everyone to strive towards.  

What words of encouragement do you have to share with future students of color pursuing careers in healthcare?
The words of encouragement that I have for those students would be to always show up and be yourself. You have a unique experience and perspective that matters, and never let fear of failure keep you from trying something that you are passionate about. Do your best to surround yourself with people that you admire and have similar goals as yourself. Not competitors, but people who will lift you up with them. These are the people that you’ll grow the closest to both professionally and personally.