Emily has been a part of Harbor Physical Therapy since 2022. She was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, but has always had ties to LA with her parents growing up in the South Bay. She attended Northwest Christian University, now known as Bushnell University, where she graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science. This is where she fostered her love of running and working with young athletes as she was a collegiate track and field and cross-country athlete, specializing primarily in the 800m. She then went on to attend the University of Southern California where received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Directly following graduation from USC, Emily then went on to complete a 13-month Orthopedic Residency through the University of Southern California. During her time at USC, she served as the Department Representative and went on to receive the Outstanding Student Leadership Award and the Order of the Golden Cane Award, which is the highest honor for graduates from USC’s Physical Therapy Division. She was also inducted into the American Council of Academic Physical Therapy National Honor Society for Physical Therapy Students.

          Since finishing her Orthopedic Residency, Emily found her love for teaching and is now an adjunct professor within the Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy at USC, primarily teaching first year students in their orthopedic courses. Additionally, while in PT school she served on the board of the Asian Pacific-Islander Student Affinity Group (APSAG), a student group aimed at fostering a safe space for students to discuss worldly matters in an ever changing diverse environment and is now working on creating an Alumni group to provide mentorship to those within USC’s DPT program that are a part of APSAG.

          Emily is always about creating a space that is fun and educational with her patients and students that are in the clinic. If you don’t hear her laughing, then something is wrong!

          Outside of the clinic and teaching, Emily enjoys spending time at the beach — whether it be surfing, swimming or just laying out. Or, you’ll often hear about her travels, as she is constantly visiting family and friends back in Hawai’i, the PNW, or anywhere her connections take her. A fun fact about Emily is that she grew up dancing hula from the age of 5. Additionally, you can always find her cheering on USC football in the fall. Fight on!