What's your personal background?
I was 1 of 5 kids, so I was raised in a big family. I’ve lived in Pasadena, California my whole life and went to the University of Southern California for my undergraduate degree in kinesiology and then a doctorate in physical therapy. I moved to San Jose 4.5 years ago to be with my husband, who is originally from the Bay Area. He’s a physical therapist as well.
What's your professional background?
During my undergraduate degree, I worked with the USC Athletic Training Department. I primarily worked with the football, women's soccer, and baseball teams. I was very interested in working with athletes. I graduated from physical therapy school in 2012 and went on to work primarily in outpatient orthopedics. I like working with a variety of different patients - from 5 years old to 97.
What drew you to want to become a physical therapist?
I grew up playing sports, primarily soccer, and wanted to do something related to sports - so this led me towards athletic training. Initially, I was really interested in helping athletes return back to competition, but as I got older and had more experiences, my career shifted more towards helping the general population get back to their regular activities of daily life and overall functionality.
What led you to choose Luna?
My daughter was born at the end of March and before that, I was working full time in a clinic. With her birth, I wanted to have more flexibility in my working hours, and not necessarily go back to full-time work where there’s the potential to not be able to accommodate something like a doctors appointment and things of that nature. I wanted to find something that was more flexible. I’d much rather have the flexibility of a job like Luna.
What do you love about what you do?
I like working with people. In physical therapy, you get to interact with so many people. There’s so many stories, different backgrounds, and you just get to know so many people. On top of that, I enjoy helping them achieve their goals. Whether that’s being able to run, return back to work, whatever their goal is and level of function -- we can help them get back to what they want.
What's the best part of being a part of Lunaverse?
The team at Luna seems to be very open and upfront about everything. They provide the flexibility in working hours and ability to use easy technology through the app, which is pushing the healthcare field to become more technology friendly - and I feel like that's super important for the future of healthcare. It’s a good starting point for changing healthcare.
Just For Fun! Get to Know Me Better
Given the choice of anyone in the world, whom would you want as a dinner guest?
While I’m not even the biggest basketball fan, I’d like to have dinner with LeBron James. I’m not his biggest fan, but just because of everything he's done for his community and being such an amazing player. He’s opening up a free school in Ohio and providing free college tuition for the kids and that makes me have a lot of respect for him. The way he’s giving back to the community is outstanding.
For what in your life do you feel most grateful?
My family, including all my immediate family, my husband and now 4-month-old daughter.
If you could wake up tomorrow having gained any one quality or ability, what would it be?
The ability to fly; be able to go anywhere - no traffic - it’d be ultimate freedom.
