Bridgeside Community Member Spotlight: Kim Nixon-Cave
Meet Kim Nixon-Cave, Professor and Program Director for Pittsburgh’s Department of Physical Therapy (PT) Hybrid Program. When she isn’t busy spending time with family and shopping, you can find her watching mindless reality TV shows, like Law & Order.
As part of our Community Member Spotlight series, we caught up with Kim about what the most rewarding part of her role is, some fun facts about her, her future goals, and some advice she’d share with others!
Q: What's been the most rewarding part of your role?
A: The opportunity to mentor students, clinicians, and faculty; developing academic and clinical programs; and conducting research projects and quality improvement projects with a focus on DEI, health disparities, discrimination, access, equity, and belongingness.
Q: What are your future goals?
A: My goals for the future are to continue to work in the area of education, focusing on educational programs, development, and designs to increase the diversity of the PT profession. Another goal is to work to improve the experience of individuals from diverse backgrounds in healthcare services. Additionally, I look forward to traveling with my husband and family and would also like to train as Doula. I’d like to be someone who supports a person who provides emotional and physical support to women during their pregnancy and childbirth, especially for BIPOC (black, indigenous, and other people of color) women, to be their voice during their pregnancy and birthing process, and to hopefully decrease complications or issues that are usually ignored for these women.
Q: What is one piece of advice you would give to someone just starting their career in your field?
A: My advice would be to find a mentor who you trust and admire. Every professional should have a five-year plan to develop and focus on both their professional and personal life goals. In every decision I made in my professional career, my family was always at the center and the priority. Opportunities will come and go, and if it's meant for you it will come back around when you are ready to engage. But always remember you only have one opportunity to raise your children and experience life with your family.
Q: What's something about you that's not on your resume?
A: I'm a collector of Black Santa ornaments of all shapes and sizes – I have over 100. I also collect giraffes – I have giraffes from various countries including Africa and Guatemala. Additionally, I enjoy doing community service. I've traveled to Guatemala and Vietnam to provide PT services to infants, children, and adults, specifically women.
Q: What's one thing you would tell people about the Bridgeside Point community?
A: Every time I go to campus, the environment at Bridgeside is friendly and welcoming. My office has a beautiful view too, which makes working at the office enjoyable.
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