Dentistry’s loss is physical therapy’s gain. Columbus High School graduate David Friloux began his college education at Mississippi State University as a pre-dental major. When he realized that wasn’t the right career path for him, he went to talk to the dean and while waiting read a brochure about physical therapy. What he read changed his career choice and his life.
After that decision, Friloux spent time observing Chalma Whittaker, a physical therapist in Columbus, to affirm that he was doing the right thing. After completing a physical therapy degree at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMC) in Jackson, he worked in Lafayette, La., a couple of years before relocating to Tupelo. A seed was planted to work in the city when a representative of North Mississippi Medical Center (NMMC) spoke to Friloux’s class at UMC about the opportunities there.
He has no regrets and is committed to the medical center where he is now divisional director of acute, home health and out-patient rehabilitation services. He supervises 140 employees and is responsible for rehabilitation services, acute care, hospital-based home care and out-patient rehabilitation including occupational, physical and speech-language therapy.
He’s worked in settings that include: acute care clinics where patients have short stays; out-patient rehab where they stay longer and in-home settings where patients can be helped in their natural environment.
No two days are the same for Friloux. He gets a lot of reward working with patients and the NMMC administration who are always supportive of physical therapy.