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Aloha, my name is Bradley Margol.  I was born and raised on O’ahu and grew up playing multiple sports.  The sports I played the most often were basketball, tennis and surfing/snowboarding.  I also enjoy hiking and kayaking.  My first career was as an Accountant but I didn’t like being inactive and stuck at a desk for the entire day.  My next job was as a surf lesson photographer in Waikiki.  I ended up suffering multiple injuries on this job and was in and out of physical therapy for three years.  This experience led to my interest in sports physical therapy as a potential career.  I enjoyed the way the PTs and PTAs connected with me and how patient/knowledgeable they were in helping me recover.  I am interested in applying for the PTA program this or next year, to hopefully provide the same type of assistance that I received. It’s a pleasure to be in class with everyone and good luck with everything this semester!

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Hi everyone! My name is Jami Jullan Karl Galinato. I was born in Philippines, and moved to Oahu on 2015. I like playing basketball but my favorite sport is MMA, which is why I'm about to join a Muay Thai gym in the near future. I'm interested in applying for the PTA program next year because I still have to complete prerequisites this whole year. Rehab for me is interesting because working hands on with mostly physical injuries and guiding patients to make sure they get their function back. I'm looking forward to work with you guys in the future.

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Aloha everyone, my name is Nimue. I'm a former chef looking for a career change and finding out my interests through community events and college at the moment. I don't have any experience with Physical Therapy or healthcare at all, but I do help take care of my auntie and uncle. My auntie has severe back issues and my uncle suffered two strokes and has mobility issues now. They never went to physical therapy and rely on family and friends for help, but this isn't sustainable long term for many reasons. I hope this program let's me find more ways to help them and others with mobility issues. That aspect aside, I also want to join the PTA program because I love learning about the human body, I'm a very extroverted person, and I have always liked to hangout with older folks and help them anyways I can. Let's have a great semester!

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Hello! My name is João Pedro, I am from Brazil. where I began my studies and practices in Physiotherapy in Brazil, where I gained valuable knowledge about human movement, rehabilitation techniques, and patient care. Although I did not complete the program in Brazil, I studied for 4 years, my experience there sparked my interest in rehabilitation, and I am now excited to pursue the PTA program to continue my education and expand my skills in a hands-on. My background in physiotherapy has helped me with a solid foundation in healthcare and a deep appreciation for the power of rehabilitation. I developed a genuine passion for helping people recover from injuries and improve their quality of life. I have realized that the PTA program is the right fit for me at this stage in my career.

What excites me most about rehabilitation is the opportunity to help people regain their strength, mobility, and confidence after an injury or illness. I’ve seen firsthand the positive effects of physical therapy during my studies in Brazil, and I am inspired by the way rehabilitation helps individuals not only recover physically but also emotionally. I believe rehabilitation is about more than just physical recovery it’s about restoring hope and independence

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Hey everyone! My name is Christian. I previously served in the US Air Force as a crew chief for the C-130J. It was labor-intensive job, including moving heavy equipment, aircraft parts, etc., and because of that I knew the importance of PT to prevent injuries on the job. After 6 years of serving, I am now using my education benefits from the military to pursue a career in PTA. For most of my life I’ve been an active person and I enjoy helping people become the strongest version of themselves. So that’s why I think I would fit in perfectly as an inspiring PTA. I look forward to starting this journey along with my fellow classmates here!

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Aloha everybody! My name is Joseph and I was born and raised here on Oahu. I have been lifting seriously for around 2-3 years now. Although I am interested in both powerlifting and bodybuilding I’d consider my strong suit to be powerlifting. Lifting was the thing kind of sparked my interest in this field of study as I got to know more behind science based lifting techniques. Apart from lifting I have also been playing basketball since I was a kid and having played for a long time I’ve witnessed and experienced countless injuries. I feel as though learning from the PTA program would not only help to rehabilitate those who have gone through injuries but to also prevent them. I love to educate people on things that I’ve learned and see that it can help them in their lives and is the reason why I want to become a PTA. It’s nice to meet you all and goodluck with your classes this semester!

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Hello! My name is Evan, I was born and raised in Fairbanks, Alaska. I moved to Oahu shortly after I graduated from Pacific University in 2017.  I graduated with my bachelor’s in Exercise Science and always knew I wanted a career based around human movement and fitness. Since moving to Oahu I have worked in multiple physical therapy clinics in many different roles. I currently work in a physical therapy office as a post PT personal trainer and help out at the front desk. I love what I do currently and want to get even more involved in the physical therapy profession. I’ve decided that becoming a PTA is the path I want to follow, and I hope to apply to the program in 2026. My passions outside of work include playing soccer, hiking with my dogs and trying new restaurants. I’m excited to start this course and even more excited to get to work with all of you. Hoping for the best for everyone this semester!

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Hi everybody! My name is RJae (pronounced with just the R and J) and I was born and raised here on Oahu. Some things about me are that I love dogs and indoor rock climbing (only good photo I have). What interested me most about physical therapy in general was that when I was younger, there wasn't much for me to do to help out my family besides chores. Me being the youngest, I helped out around the house a ton, but I also liked giving massages to my family members after long and tiring days of work. Back then it seemed like something miniscule, but I enjoyed helping when I can. Me now, I engage in physical activities more, especially rock climbing, which wanted me to get involved more in the physical aspect of health so that I can understand my body and its limitations. Through the military I am a behavior health technician which engages more in the mental aspect of health, which I enjoy doing but through that, I realized that I wanted to engage more in the physical aspect of health. When it comes to physical health, I feel it's important to understand that the body sometimes require more time to heal itself the same way mental health isn't really a straightforward path. What interested me most about physical therapy rehabilitation is that there are many different ways for it to be suitable for someone to engage themselves in both patient and PT alike. I personally want to engage myself in massage therapy as I feel I'd really enjoy that aspect in physical health. I'm looking forward to this semester and to be working with everyone, let's do our best everybody!

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Hi All! My name is Tyler, and I was born and raised here on Oahu. I grew up in a baseball family which meant I was around the field since I was an infant. Adding to the baseball trend, I played baseball from the age of 4 all the way till I graduated from College. Luckily and blessed to have been able to play baseball at the highest level right before professional, I always wanted to stay around the sports world. I once was a patient at a physical therapy clinic after having surgeries on my knee and shoulder. Seeing how the recovery process develops from the beginning to end is amazing. I then became a Physical Therapy Aide and got to work along side 3 amazing Therapists and 1 Assistant. Working with, next to, and speaking with the Assistant daily, I see what the joys the job and title brings which is what made me extremely interested in becoming a PT Assistant myself. To be able to work with people and help them recover from injuries of any sort would mean a lot to me. To guide them down the right paths to get to their goals would be amazing to know I was with them on that path. My goal is to finish up these last couple courses of Pre Requisites to apply for the PTA program for the fall of 2025!

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Hello! My name is Georgia, I am from Bozeman Montana. I grew up as a competitive dancer and as I realized the toll dance has on my body and the injuries I experienced as a dancer I knew this was something I wanted to help others with. After dislocating my knee and tearing MCL I was going to PT for a while and quickly learned how important it was to protect and do what you can to prevent injuries. I learned a lot about the strength my body had and did not have. I became really close with my PT and did some observation hours with her and really could see myself in her position. I am very excited for this class and to work with you all!

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Aloha everyone! My name is Taylor, I was born and raised here on O'ahu. It took me a while to decide what career I wanted to go into. I've taken many different classes towards different programs and decided that the PTA Program is what I want to do. A huge part of that comes from my personal experience going to PT in high school for both my knees and ankles from playing soccer. I also worked front desk at a PT clinic here on O'ahu and being able to work in the environment really helped me see that this is what I want to be doing. I'm looking forward to a great semester with you all! Mahalo!

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Hi! My name is Will Hopper and I was born and raised in Waipio valley, Mililani. I am a big fan of pretty much any outdoor activity, specifically hiking and swimming/diving. I swam and Played football in highschool and am regularly active. I injured my back in football and had to go to PT which originally sparked my interest in PTA. The human body is intricate and intriguing to me and I am excited to learn more about what we are capable of through studying PT.

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Hey everyone! My name is Marcus. I was born in the Philippines but moved to Oahu in 2010. During my years in high school, I was very engaged in graphic design and thought that would be my career. I even made a few mockup logos for L&L and Hawaiian Sun with my classmates. As I got older, however, I realized my passion for designing had gone down. As a result, I was unsure of what I wanted to do when I got to college. However, my mom kept pushing me to try the PTA program because she was a PTA. Because of that, I am interested in applying for the program. What interests me most about rehab is seeing the progression from start to finish. It's great to see people start with limited mobility then over time they start to become more active. That reassures me that what we are doing is effective. On top of that, I am also interested because of the connections that you can make with people. It's fun to engage and learn about people's backgrounds. I wish you the best of luck in all your classes and to stay motivated!

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Aloha everyone! My name is Jennifer and I live in Volcano on the Big Island. Originally, I'm from Washington State. I've been living in Hawaii for nearly 20 years now and I really can't imagine living anywhere else. I have 2 daughters and they are the loves of my life. I have been working at the diaysis clinic in Hilo for the better part of 10 years, and although I find my job very rewarding (and challenging!) I am looking for a career change. I get great joy from helping others, connecting with people, problem solving and working in a heath care environment. I feel my passions have led me to a career in Physical Therapy, so here I am! I am very much looking forward to expanding my knowledge in this rewarding field.

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Hi! My name is Kira and I was born and raised here on Oahu, specifically in Pearl City. I just graduated in December from UH Manoa with my bachelor's in Kinesiology and was initially planning on applying to DPT school, but realized it is a bit too expensive for me right now. I have decided on applying to the PTA program this upcoming Spring, so I am just taking some prerequisite classes this semester. I think PTA would allow me to get my foot in the door and leave room for a possibility of going to DPT school in the future. For as long as I remember, I have wanted to be in a profession that was somewhere in the sports and health field. Growing up I played soccer and had torn my acl, sprained many ligaments, and broken multiple bones, so I am pretty familiar with physical therapy, and it solidified what I wanted to do with my future. I had an internship last semester with an outpatient clinic last semester where I was assigned with two cancer patients and was able to work one-on-one with them throughout the whole semester. I was able to create my own exercise prescription for them based on their health history and needs, which allowed me to grow tremendously and see first handedly how impactful this profession can be. I am looking forward to being in this class with everyone and learning a lot!

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Hello, everyone! My name is Nobby. I am very excited to meet and learn with you all! I am taking this course and other pre-requisite classes to apply for the PTA Program here in KCC next year. I am in the military and have worked as a Physical Therapy Technician for 12 years. I have accumulated knowledge and experience in the physical therapy realm on the military side, but I have limited experience in the civilian aspect of this profession.

The rehabilitation realm has always been my passion. Meeting a patient for the first time, maybe when they were still on crutches or even a wheelchair, and seeing them recover and return to their lives is the most rewarding and fulfilling feeling in the world. Knowing that I have had even just a small positive impact on their recovery gives me the most profound sense of purpose.

I wish you all the best in this class and I look forward to learning and growing with everyone.

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Hi everyone! Looking forward to meeting you all. My name is Elizabeth and I am completing a variety of prerequisites this year aiming apply to the PTA program next Spring. I got my undergrad degree on the East Coast and am looking forward to continuing my education towards a graduate degree in Sports Science/Athletic Training. I do not have much knowledge or experience in PT so am looking forward to completing this program to add that to my resume as I continue to work towards prerequisites for grad school. I have always had an interest in holistic rehabilitation and the role physical therapy plays in that. My interest started to peak as a college athlete when I realized the important role training and rehab played in the success of athletes. Good luck to everyone this year and wishing you a successful semester.

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Aloha everyone! My name is Zoe, and I was born and raised in Mililani. I currently work two jobs: one as a PT aide and the other as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT). During my freetime, I enjoy shelling at the beach, doing spin classes, weightlifting, and working on puzzles. I earned my Bachelor’s in Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences last spring from UH Manoa. During my undergrad, I wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted to do with my degree. I considered the exercise science route because I was passionate about staying active and incorporating physical activities into everyday life to promote movement. Physical therapy was a career path I was introduced to, and I ended up doing my clinical hours at a few physical therapy clinics that primarily catered to geriatric patients. After shadowing, I realized I could see myself working as a physical therapist. Watching patients progress was incredibly rewarding. Some would come in with limited shoulder range of motion and reduced lower extremity strength, and by the end of their treatment, they were able to do everyday tasks like standing up from a sitting position or scratching their back. I am currently working toward becoming a PTA because, financially, I can’t afford to pursue a DPT program at this time. I hope that with more experience in the physical therapy field, I can eventually fulfill my long-term goal of becoming a PT. I’m excited to learn more about the role of a PTA and the responsibilities that come with it. I’m also glad we’ll be covering payments and insurance, as I’m still a bit confused about those concepts. See you all in class!

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Aloha PTA 101 Students! Welcome to this exploratory class about Physical Therapy Assistants. I am an outpatient orthopedic physical therapist and I've been teaching now for about 5 years. I am the Director of Clinical Education of the PTA Program. I'm looking forward to talking about rehab and physical therapy to all of you. I am originally from Wayzata, Minnesota. Dontcha Know that Prince is from my neck of the woods! I attended undergrad at the University of Notre Dame and am a big ND Football fan.. so if you are asked this on a test, you know what team to pick ;) It's great to meet you all! Michelle