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Thomas Settje
VolunTEEN - Premier Physical Therapy
Importance of Caring | my journey into volunteering

Thomas Settje is a really, really busy teenager. The Scotus Central Catholic High School senior is an A honor roll student, plays several different sports, works in the meat department at Hy-Vee, and still finds time to hang out at the YMCA with friends.

Columbus Community Hospital's VolunTEEN program has been a perfect fit for him because hospital leaders have been able to work around his schedule to give him an opportunity to volunteer.

Right now, Settje volunteers at Premier Physical Therapy, one of the hospital's rehabilitation locations. He helps restock supplies, prepares for patients and occasionally answers phone calls. "Everyone is really friendly," he said, "and I am able to volunteer on Saturdays to not interfere with school or after-school sports."

As far as those sports are concerned: Settje is a running back and linebacker on the Scotus Central Catholic football team, and in the spring he runs relays and hurdles for the school's track team. He's also involved in the National Honor Society.

In addition to his job at Hy-Vee, Settje has worked the past three summers as a lifeguard at Pawnee Plunge, but he's interested in pursuing healthcare as a future career.

"Getting a feel for working in the healthcare industry is a great opportunity before diving in," he said. "It's a massive field with a wide range of roles, environments and experiences. I felt like joining the VolunTEEN program would help me better understand working in a healthcare environment."

When Settje first signed up to be a VolunTEEN, he assumed that getting a position at Premier Physical Therapy would be practically impossible because it's so popular. However, his timing was just right - he came into the program just as a few graduating seniors were leaving.

"Premier Physical Therapy has been a great fit," he said. "I enjoy interacting with patients and exploring different routes for my future career. It helps me get a better idea of what I would do if I worked as a physical therapist."

The hardest aspect of being a physical therapist, from his perspective? "It's definitely remembering all the techniques for treating patients' injuries," he said.

Next year, Settje plans to attend the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

"I heard they have a good health program," he said.

Settje is also excited about the Kearney Health Opportunities Program (KHOP), a cooperative program between UNK and the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Students who are accepted into the program receive a full-ride scholarship to the school. He hasn't yet applied, but he's crossing his fingers that he gets to be among the lucky few.

Away from school, work and volunteering, Settje enjoys fishing, listening to rhythm & blues music (Drake is his favorite artist), and playing with his 16-year-old Dachshund, Daryl. He lives in Columbus with his mom and dad and 15-year-old sister; his older brother is in the U.S. Navy.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities available at the hospital, visit columbushosp.org.