"Make a difference today, for someone who is fighting for their tomorrow" is the mantra that decade long WSU Physical Therapist, Bob Bashaw, lives by daily. Bashaw, who was born and raised in Pullman, made his way back home in 2013, becoming the in-house PT. Bashaw has been a PT for 33 years, after playing college football at both Montana State and Eastern Washington in the 1980's.
Working at WSU has come full circle for Bashaw, as he began his medical journey started by shadowing at WSU during college on winter break, as he was unsure what to major in. A combination of football injuries and hands on experience led Bashaw to graduate from EWU in 1989 with a bachelors in physical therapy.
Bashaw has a wealth of experience with athletes, making stops at the Denver Broncos and multiple private practices, including one of his own. He has evolved his philosophy into a more holistic approach, thinking outside of the box to treat athletes.
"I also understand that there is a lot of people that have other issues involved outside of their physical ailments, a lot of mental stresses within their injury or personal life, [so] it's really important to get to know the person." Bashaw said.
This approach has given Bashaw a department-wide reputation of being a genuine, funny, and caring individual who prioritizes maximizing his athlete's performance mentally and physically.
Bashaw credits the young men and women he deals with daily, and their motivation to get healthy, for his reasoning behind such a long and successful career.
"It is exciting being a part of [someone's] journey and helping them achieve their goals," stated Bashaw.
Bashaw's highly hectic schedule includes hundreds of athletes on a weekly basis, harboring various injuries from ruptured Achilles to torn ACL's. Bashaw has seen it all and continues to work as hard as he can to get WSU athletes out of his office and back to competition.
Working at WSU has come full circle for Bashaw, as he began his medical journey started by shadowing at WSU during college on winter break, as he was unsure what to major in. A combination of football injuries and hands on experience led Bashaw to graduate from EWU in 1989 with a bachelors in physical therapy.
Bashaw has a wealth of experience with athletes, making stops at the Denver Broncos and multiple private practices, including one of his own. He has evolved his philosophy into a more holistic approach, thinking outside of the box to treat athletes.
"I also understand that there is a lot of people that have other issues involved outside of their physical ailments, a lot of mental stresses within their injury or personal life, [so] it's really important to get to know the person." Bashaw said.
This approach has given Bashaw a department-wide reputation of being a genuine, funny, and caring individual who prioritizes maximizing his athlete's performance mentally and physically.
Bashaw credits the young men and women he deals with daily, and their motivation to get healthy, for his reasoning behind such a long and successful career.
"It is exciting being a part of [someone's] journey and helping them achieve their goals," stated Bashaw.
Bashaw's highly hectic schedule includes hundreds of athletes on a weekly basis, harboring various injuries from ruptured Achilles to torn ACL's. Bashaw has seen it all and continues to work as hard as he can to get WSU athletes out of his office and back to competition.