March 19, 2026

From age six to eighteen, third-year exercise science student Annie Finholm devoted countless hours to competitive gymnastics. During one practice her world was turned upside-down. Anyone who's watched gymnastics has seen the dangerous yet impressive vault event. We all hold our breath as gymnasts sprint, launch, and attempt near-perfect landings.

For her, that moment became more than a spectacle. During a vault attempt, the skill didn’t unfold the way it was supposed to, and Finholm sustained a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) that ended her run in the 2021-22 season. The injury left her unable to compete, attend school or even read a book.

"Typically, when someone suffers a TBI like mine, they are completely deterred from returning to the sport. In fact, they are oftentimes advised not to,” she explained.

However, that obstacle didn’t stop Finholm. Through countless hours of rehabilitation, Finholm was cleared to return to gymnastics within two years. "I pushed to graduate from physical, speech and occupational therapy. I learned how to read again, how to go to school and how to deal with the chronic migraines I was left with,” she said.

After her return to the 2023 season, Finholm tore multiple ligaments in her knee, resulting in another season-ending injury. The setback ultimately ended her career in gymnastics, but it also led to an eye-opening moment that helped reshape her purpose. During her recovery, Finholm discovered her passion for sports medicine and rehabilitation for athletes.

“Since then, I have spent several years discovering new ways to engage in sports and exercise that may not always be in the traditional gym setting. I was beyond passionate about gymnastics, so I knew it was not an option to resort to the sidelines,” Finholm recalled.

From then on, Finholm set her hopes on becoming an orthopedic physician assistant working with athletes facing similar situations.

Finholm’s path to becoming a physician assistant begins by obtaining her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science. The Exercise Science program is a dynamic, interdisciplinary program that blends foundational health and wellness education with advanced training in exercise science and sports medicine to prepare students for careers in fitness, rehabilitation, clinical health settings and beyond.

“I chose exercise science because I am very passionate about understanding how the body moves and all the intricacies that come with it. Choosing [exercise science] was never a challenge for me because I have always been fascinated by the correlation between mind and body,” she said.

The College of Nursing and Health Professions exercise science program focuses on the science of human body movement and helping others achieve the wellness and fitness they desire. Exercise science professionals use a scientific approach to study and apply physical, physiological and psychological concepts to how exercise and the human body interact.

She mentions that courses such as Anatomy and Physiology and Health and Wellness Through the Lifespan are amongst her favorites and have given her a profound appreciation for her studies and the support she has received. “The content in all my classes has been incredibly interesting, and the professors who have taught them have been wonderful. I am beyond grateful for all my professors,” she said.

On campus, the Maryland native is already taking steps toward caring for others, serving as the student representative for the Drexel University Chapter of the Exercise is Medicine initiative managed by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). The program is led by associate teaching professor, Michael Bruneau Jr. PhD, to promote physical activity and exercise as a means of preventing, treating and controlling chronic disease on campus and beyond.

“Since being chosen as the student representative, I have worked side-by-side with Dr. Bruneau to draft and create social media content, developed concepts for getting students more active on campus, and collaborated with different faculty members to get the initiative back up and running,” she said.

Annie Finholm has big dreams for the future, but she’s approaching them with the same mindset she had during her recovery. For now, the third-year student anticipates starting her co-op in the fall of 2026, with a chance to gain hands-on experience that will guide her on her journey to PA school.

Written by Myleah Herbert '25