About Me
With roots in earth science, and grassroots organizing for climate justice and social change, my path to physical therapy reflects my commitment to creating positive change – whether in individual lives or entire communities.
My journey to physical therapy began through my hobbies of teaching yoga (see my website at https://wombatyoga.com/) and mentoring athletes, where I discovered that the same principles that drive successful advocacy – patience, persistence, and meeting people where they are – are essential to supporting others in their healing journeys. For eight years, I've guided students through their yoga practice, emphasizing the balance between effort and ease, while my advocacy background has shaped my understanding of how personal wellness connects to community well-being.
My approach to physical therapy draws from this intersection of movement, science, and social change. Whether coordinating thousands of volunteers for environmental campaigns, designing adaptive yoga programs for recovering athletes, or paddling out into the waters that first inspired my scientific career, I've learned that meaningful change requires both technical expertise and genuine human connection.
Self-Directed Learning Experiences
Access Surf Volunteer Events
APTA Academy of Leadership & Innovation Community Grant
APTA Hawaii Winter Conference
Hawaiian Adaptive Surfing
Championships & Day At The Beach
(Social Responsibility)
Through my volunteer work with Access Surf, I engaged in meaningful social responsibility that expanded my understanding of adaptive recreation and community service. I volunteered at both the Hawaiian Adaptive Surfing Championships and Day At The Beach event
Hawaiian Adaptive Surfing
Championships & Day At The Beach
(Social Responsibility)
Through my volunteer work with Access Surf, I engaged in meaningful social responsibility that expanded my understanding of adaptive recreation and community service. I volunteered at both the Hawaiian Adaptive Surfing Championships and Day At The Beach events. I assisted individuals with disabilities in accessing surfing experiences through equipment setup, water safety support, and participant encouragement. Access Surf exposed me to the ways we can use physical therapy principles in adaptive sports, as I experienced first hand how movement adaptations and assistive techniques could enhance participation for individuals with various physical limitations.
These volunteer opportunities deepened my appreciation for community-based wellness initiatives and reinforced my commitment to serving diverse communities. Working alongside adaptive athletes reinforced the importance of providing inclusive recreational opportunities.
This opportunity also helped me hone my communication skills with individuals who have disabilities and broadened my perspective on how physical therapists can contribute to community wellness beyond traditional clinical settings. This lines up with my professional development goals of becoming a culturally competent practitioner who actively contributes to improving quality of life through both clinical practice and community engagement here on Oahu.
APTA Hawaii Winter Conference
APTA Academy of Leadership & Innovation Community Grant
APTA Hawaii Winter Conference
Hawaii's Annual Chapter Meeting
(Professional Development)
I attended the APTA Hawaii Winter Conference, earning 6 continuing education units while engaging with current evidence-based practices and networking with practicing physical therapists throughout Hawaii. This conference provided exposure to cutting-edge research on orthotics and p
Hawaii's Annual Chapter Meeting
(Professional Development)
I attended the APTA Hawaii Winter Conference, earning 6 continuing education units while engaging with current evidence-based practices and networking with practicing physical therapists throughout Hawaii. This conference provided exposure to cutting-edge research on orthotics and prosthetics, clinical techniques for using ultrasound, and best practices for coaching runners, and working with patients on pelvic floor health.
The widespread variation of session topics allowed me to explore areas of specialization while reinforcing the foundational concepts from my academic coursework through real-world application from experienced clinicians.
This professional development experience reinforced the importance of lifelong learning in healthcare and provided valuable insights into the local physical therapy community in Hawaii.
Through networking opportunities and informal discussions with practicing PTs, I gained perspectives on career pathways, practice settings, and the unique challenges and opportunities of practicing in Hawaii. The conference reinforced my commitment to evidence-based practice and highlighted the importance of staying current with professional developments throughout my career. This experience directly supports my goal of becoming a well-informed, engaged member of the physical therapy profession on Oahu who contributes to advancing the field through continuous learning and professional involvement.
APTA Academy of Leadership & Innovation Community Grant
APTA Academy of Leadership & Innovation Community Grant
APTA Academy of Leadership & Innovation Community Grant
Teaching Strength and Balance at
Lanikai Multi Purpose Senior Center
(Teaching & Prevention/Wellness)
Through the APTA Academy of Leadership & Innovation Community Grant, I worked with 5 students and 2 HPU professors over 6 months to design and implement a strength and balance program for seniors at the Lanikai Multi Purpose Senior Center. W
Teaching Strength and Balance at
Lanikai Multi Purpose Senior Center
(Teaching & Prevention/Wellness)
Through the APTA Academy of Leadership & Innovation Community Grant, I worked with 5 students and 2 HPU professors over 6 months to design and implement a strength and balance program for seniors at the Lanikai Multi Purpose Senior Center. We developed educational materials, created safe and effective exercise protocols, and delivered group instruction sessions focused on fall prevention and functional mobility enhancement.
This experience required me to become a more clear speaker for an older adult population, modify exercises for various ability levels, and create an engaging learning environment that promoted both physical activity and health education.
This experience further developed my teaching skills while reinforcing the critical role of prevention and wellness in physical therapy practice. Leading these sessions also helped me with my confidence in public teaching, group instruction, and health promotion activities while deepening my understanding of age-related changes and their impact on mobility and independence.
The opportunity to execute a community-based program further developed my leadership abilities and project management skills. This experience aligns with my professional goals of becoming a physical therapist who not only treats dysfunction but actively works to prevent injury and promote wellness in community settings, particularly with underserved populations.
CLINICAL EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Chicago - PT Solutions Wicker Park
Chicago - PT Solutions Wicker Park
Chicago - PT Solutions Wicker Park
My first clinical rotation at PT Solutions Wicker Park provided a comprehensive introduction to outpatient orthopedic practice in an urban, culturally diverse setting. Over 8 weeks, I gained experience treating a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions including post-surgical rehabilitation, sports injuries, and chronic pain conditions across the lifespan. The clinic's unique patient population included approximately one pediatric patient daily, allowing me to develop skills in treating younger patients with conditions such as sports injuries, growth-related disorders, and developmental concerns. Additionally, the predominantly Spanish-speaking patient population enhanced my cultural competency and communication skills, as I was challenged to provide effective care through my extremely basic Spanish communication. My clinical instructor's specialization in vestibular physical therapy exposed me to this specialized practice area, where I observed and assisted with balance assessments, canalith repositioning procedures, and vestibular rehabilitation exercises for patients with dizziness and balance disorders.
Maui - Venture PT Kalama Heights
Chicago - PT Solutions Wicker Park
Chicago - PT Solutions Wicker Park
During my 8-week rotation at Venture PT Kalama Heights on Maui, I was immersed in neurological rehabilitation while experiencing the unique aspects of healthcare delivery in a rural island community. This clinical experience focused primarily on treating patients with neurological conditions including stroke, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and spinal cord injuries. The clinic's comprehensive approach included both traditional outpatient services and home health visits, which provided invaluable insight into how environmental factors, family dynamics, and community resources impact patient outcomes. The aquatic therapy component allowed me to observe and participate in water-based interventions that utilized buoyancy and hydrostatic pressure to facilitate movement and function in patients with significant mobility limitations. This rotation significantly expanded my clinical reasoning skills for complex neurological presentations while highlighting the importance of creative treatment approaches and community-based care delivery in serving diverse patient populations.
Oahu - PT Hawaii
Chicago - PT Solutions Wicker Park
Oahu - PT Hawaii
My current 16-week rotation at PT Hawaii represents my most extensive clinical experience, providing advanced skill development in outpatient orthopedic practice with specialized service offerings. This extended rotation is allowing me to develop greater independence and clinical reasoning while treating a diverse caseload of orthopedic conditions ranging from acute injuries to chronic pain syndromes. The clinic's aquatic therapy program has improved my understanding of how water-based interventions can be integrated into comprehensive treatment plans for patients with weight-bearing restrictions, chronic pain, or those requiring low-impact exercise progressions. Working with a clinical instructor who specializes in concussions, vestibular disorders and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction is expanding my expertise in these specialized areas, allowing me to develop skills in cranial nerve assessments, jaw biomechanics evaluation, and complex vestibular rehabilitation techniques. This rotation is solidifying my clinical skills while exposing me to advanced practice specializations that demonstrate the breadth and depth possible within physical therapy practice.