What inspired you to become a physical therapist, and what motivates you to continue in the field?
I’ve had a number of personal injuries as a sprinter through high school and college. Namely hamstring strains. I was introduced to PT through injury. I enjoy meeting people, and helping them perform at their very best.
My interest remains in growing as a clinician and learning skills and treatment tools.
What sets you apart from other physical therapists? What is your unique approach or philosophy?
I believe patients have the best understanding of their own bodies and experiences. I prioritize listening and communication. I rely on my manual skills both diagnostically and therapeutically, and feel that is an aspect of information gathering and communication that most other medical professions do not have a chance to perform with their patients.
How do you stay current with the latest advancements and techniques in physical therapy? Are you learning anything new right now?
I like to keep up with current research. Most recently, I took a nutritional and red light therapy course. I enjoy working with students, and have participated in both anatomy and manual therapy open labs at GW to continue to be in the learning environment. I also enjoying being a CI and find it’s a natural sharing of my experience and their current schooling.
Can you describe a moment when you felt particularly proud of helping a patient?
I treated a woman for BPPV. Once we solved that in 1-2 visits, she became super motivated to change her lifestyle and pursue weight loss. She was able to lose somewhere between 65-75 lbs prior to a gastric sleeve procedure and is now in a completely different space and enjoys a very active lifestyle. She continues to make my day every now and again by sending me life updates.
What are your goals for the future, both professionally and personally, in the field of physical therapy?
I am very excited to start at release and treat without the barriers of the traditional insurance network system.
I would like to continue to grow my skills in TMJ and vestibular care.
How do you maintain work life balance and what do you do for fun?
I love the food scene in the DMV. My favorite thing to do is explore the area and discover hidden gems or new places to me.
I enjoy playing basketball, working out, and hiking as a more active means to manage stress and have fun. In my spare time, I am also working on my Spanish.
