Kelli Kirkland Gueho ’09 has a passion for equipping all people of all ages to enjoy a healthy lifestyle. She has focused on designing exercise programs for patients post-physical therapy discharge. She has also developed a medical wellness series that includes calming water anxiety classes for Rocketchix triathlon, a balance and posture class for a local assisted living facility, and a runners refresher workshop for injury prevention.
Her interest in healthcare began after her father experienced genetic cardiovascular problems in his early 40s. As a result, her family began a journey to a cardiac friendly lifestyle, which included afternoon bicycle rides and diet modification.
In 1996, she graduated from LSU with concentrations in kinesiology, psychology and zoology. Two years later, she received a Master of Science in exercise science and a gerontological studies certificate from the University of Louisiana-Monroe.
In graduate school, she researched and published the results from a study comparing physical activity and body composition in adolescent females.
From 2005-2007, Gueho was an adjunct professor in health and wellness at Louisiana Delta Community College and served as an interpreter for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
In 2009, she received an Associate of Science Degree from FranU.
“Returning as a non-traditional student at FranU was both challenging and rewarding. No longer an adjunct professor, my role as the student was exciting. I was eager to learn a new skill and go to work,” she recalled.
“The program was structured with a good mix of lecture/lab/clinical rotations. I could not have been more blessed to be instructed by professors with experience, education and exposure to a plethora of situations in the field of physical therapy. They had the compassion to share their knowledge of physical therapy with us,” she said.
Gueho obtained a clinical Ai Chi instructor certification from the International Aquatic Therapy Faculty in Peoria, AZ and became a certified personal trainer with the National Strength and Conditioning Association in 2017. A year later, she became a USAT level one triathlon coach and became certified in Water Specific therapy/Halliwick by the renowned researcher, Johan Lambeck, PT. She then became the USA Triathlon Ambassador for 2019.
She has experience in inpatient rehabilitation centers, skilled nursing facilities, home health, aquatic therapy and orthopedic outpatient centers. She currently works at Kinetic Physical Therapy in Baton Rouge, a concierge physical therapy practice that provides one-on-one care to patients.
“I could not be more pleased with my Associate Degree from FranU. I have been able to use all of my degrees for a dream job! I have learned a great deal from patients, other alumni, PTA students and families,” she concluded.
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