SOMEONE YOU SHOULD KNOW
Alumna named graduate of decade
by JESSICA L. FINCH

Jennifer Gurske de Perio

"If a new opportunity arose, then I've done it. So far I haven't regretted anything," Jennifer Gurske de Perio, 29, said about the chances she has taken in life.

Having grown up in Rochester, Gurske de Perio came to Amherst to attend Daemen College, where she studied physical therapy, and now teaches the subject as an assistant professor at the college. In 1999, she received her undergraduate degree for physical therapy and in 2002, her master's in orthopedic physical therapy.

Gurske de Perio is now one of only three women completing their residency in orthopedic surgery through the University at Buffalo Medical School. She is scheduled to complete the five-year residency program in three years.

In addition to continuing her training, Gurske de Perio helped start the wound care program in the Catholic Health Care System and served as a wound care expert at McAuley Seton Home Care in Cheektowaga.

Her hours of training, helping and research in the fields of physical therapy and orthopedic surgery were recently noticed. Daemen College will honor Gurske de Perio with the Distinguished Alumna, Graduate of the Last Decade award at the 2006 Distinguished Alumni Dinner on Saturday, Oct. 21.

The honor, one of five being awarded during the event, recognizes Gurske de Perio for achieving distinguished alumni status within 10 years of graduating. The college does not honor alumni with this particular award annually but only when someone has truly earned it, a Daemen College Alumni Association representative said.

"I am honored; it's very exciting," said Gurske de Perio. "It is wonderful. Daemen has provided me with so much and an opportunity to teach. I hope I can give them as much as they have given me."

Growing up, she volunteered in the activities department at a nursing home and as a candy striper at a hospital. She found that she felt comfortable in the hospital setting, especially in helping people with physical therapy and rehabilitation.

Pursuing a career in a strongly male-dominated field, Gurske de Perio said she isn't fazed by the ratio of men to women and has strong, encouraging mentors helping her during her years at Daemen and now at UB.

Two years into her residency, Gurske de Perio has been involved in cases from knee replacement to hip surgery and from fractured bone repair to trauma cases, although these are only a few examples of what she has learned from her hours of training.

With undergraduate and master's degrees in physical therapy completed, Gurske de Perio knew she wanted to attend a medical school and found a calling as a surgeon.

"I thought I could do more for the patients," she said. "I could apply what I know about physical therapy as a surgeon."

When she isn't completing her residency hours, Gurske de Perio teaches classes in physical therapy, which she finds helps her as much as her students.

"I have always liked to teach, and it keeps me current and abreast on all the new things happening," she said, referring to physical therapy. "It is something I love and love to teach, knowing I can make a difference for those learning."

Following the completion of her residency in orthopedic surgery, she is considering a fellowship in sports medicine or specializing in foot and ankle procedures.

Her years at Daemen College created a strong foundation for where she is today. Knowing from day one that she wanted to be in medicine, Gurske de Perio was honored with several awards for her work in the field.

She was the recipient of the Daemen College President's Leadership Ward and the Daemen College Physical Therapy Faculty Recognition Award in 1999; she was listed in Who's Who Along American Colleges and Universities in 1998 and 1999; she achieved Daemen College's and the national dean's list; and was awarded the college's Mary A. LoCurto Community Service Scholarship in 1997.

She and her husband, Jaime De Perio, whom she met at St. Joseph Hospital through friends, reside in Williamsville.

If you have a suggestion for someone to feature in this column, send it to Jessica L. Finch, Amherst Bee, associate editor, P.O. Box 150, Buffalo, N.Y. 14231-0150, or call 204-4917.