Temple TUFF: Women's Soccer Alum Alyssa Kirk

Alyssa Kirk as a student-athlete at Temple

For many, the breakout of COVID-19 has led to long days stuck within their homes and an inability to go about normal life. However, for some, such as 2015 Temple women's soccer alum Alyssa Kirk, it has proven to be a calling for them to risk their own health to help others.

It was a few years before her enrollment in Temple Nursing School in 2011 that Kirk decided to enter the field of Nursing. "I have played sports for as long as I can remember, but I had only decided I wanted to become a nurse a few years before applying to nursing schools and being recruited" said Kirk.

"I was really into fitness and optimizing myself as an athlete, and I think that is what led me to wanting to learn more about human anatomy and physiology. I also had a passion for helping others" Kirk added in explaining her desire to join the nursing profession.

Following her graduation from Temple, Kirk accepted a job as a Critical Care Nurse at Temple University Hospital. In 2018, she elected to return to school at the University of Pennsylvania to obtain her Doctorate of Nursing Practice in Nurse Anesthesia.

Completing an intensive four year degree such as nursing, while balancing the rigors of being a student-athlete is an impressive feat. However, Kirk points to Temple as a reason for her early success, "Temple Athletics, Temple University, and Temple Hospital gave me the most incredible foundation, and it's very obvious to me that without Temple I would not be where I am today." Kirk explained that if it were not for four years of two a days, travel, and 6am lifts "I would not have been physically or mentally prepared for this doctorate program."

As a Doctorate student at UPenn, Kirk has a hectic schedule again. She has already completed rotations in pediatrics, trauma, neuro, and obstetrics in addition to her primary clinical rotations.

Alyssa Kirk

With many of her classes being shifted to online, Kirk wanted to find a new way to get out and help people. She is selflessly volunteering through the Philadelphia Medical Reserve Corps at local COVID-19 testing sites in order to "put my medical background to good use" Kirk said.

"I have been volunteering at the Citizens Bank Park drive-thru testing center helping to screen patients over the age of 50 who are symptomatic, as well as healthcare providers and first responders" Kirk explained.

The importance of offering testing cannot be over emphasized. "Testing is extremely important in helping to flatten the curve and keep those who are COVID positive isolated from others" she explained.

Kirk has never shied away when her number has been called whether as an athlete or a healthcare professional. The opportunity to serve in her community is not only an honor but a privilege. Kirk elaborated upon this in saying "I am so grateful that I can volunteer and help the city through this crisis."

First in a series of profiles on Temple Owls working to fight the COVID-19 pandemic

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Temple TUFF: Women's Soccer Alum Alyssa Kirk

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Alyssa Kirk

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