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Hey everyone,

My name is Bradley Margol and I was born and raised on Oahu. I am currently a photographer specializing in landscape and print photography. I'm planning on applying to the PTA program at the end of the semester. I'm interested in PT because I have had multiple injuries in the past five years that I needed PT to resolve. I used to work as an Accountant, so I wanted a job that was more hands on/personal and less isolated.

In my free time I enjoy surfing, snowboarding and hiking. I also enjoy fishing and other outdoor activities. I have two dogs and like to take them on adventures.

I look forward to class with everyone, good luck!

Brad

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Hello everyone! My name is Evan Strong. I moved here to Hawaii 10 years ago. I plan to apply to the PTA program this upcoming year and I'm super excited. For my entire time here in Hawaii I've worked in Physical Therapy clinics. I've held many positions in these clinics and I never get tired of aiding in the care of patients and helping them recover. Luckily, I've been able to avoid any major injuries myself throughout my long sports career. The one time I was dealing with a nagging hamstring issue I did participate in PT. I still remember loving everything about the clinic I was treated in. There was workout equipment, people pushing themselves, and cool cutting edge recovery technology. My therapist taught me everything I needed to know to recover and in no time at all I was back playing soccer.

I live an active lifestyle and love to be outdoors. My favorite thing to do is play soccer and I play at least twice every week. I've cultivated a small community on the North Shore that meets up every Wednesday to play pick up soccer. It's my favorite day of the week and something I can always look forward to. I also like to run, go to the beach, take my dog on hikes and lift weights.

Thanks,

Evan

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Hello class! I am taking this class for my current job as a part time shiatsu massage therapist I have just started in 2024 as my post-retirement job. Before, I worked in front of a computer in Ohio, and when I moved to Hawaii in 2023, I decided to have a hands-on job. Because I admire PT/PTA, I wanted to take any possible classes KCC allows me to take, so I am very excited to be able to take this class!

I am now 61-year-old and getting in the geriatric age group. I believe what I am going to learn here will help myself as well as my work and family lives.

I was raised in Japan ( Shizuoka) and I will try my best to write a proper English. Thank you so much for having me. I am very much looking forward to learning with you!

Keiko

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Aloha kakou,

My name is Josh, I am 33yrs old, born and raised on the island of Oahu. I work as a pizza chef, have been in kitchens on and off for 12 years, and I have a Bachelor's of Science in Kinesiology. I am currently in the PTA program, looking forward to finishing strong and completing the licensure exam in October.

I enjoy an active lifestyle, including but not limited to; 6vs6 league flag football, judo, boxing, outrigger canoe paddling, BJJ, running, and weightlifting. I love sharing about my sobriety/recovery journey, looking to encourage others to live at their best capacity. When not studying or working out, I'm usually binging anime, practicing guitar/piano, or spending time with friends, family, and my dog/cats.

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Aloha everyone,

My name is Taylor Simpliciano, I was born and raised here on O'ahu. I plan to apply for the PTA program this year! I played soccer most of my life, from age 6 until my Senior year in high school. During my soccer career I encountered many knee and ankle injuries, along with a number of concussions. I had to attend PT for the patellar tendinitis I had during high school. That is where my passion for Physical Therapy began. I also had the opportunity to work front desk at a local Physical Therapy office here on O'ahu for one year and I loved the environment! I am now volunteering at the clinic that I used to work at and I get to see everything that goes on during treatments.

On my free time I love to watch my siblings and friends play sports. I also love to take my niece to the park and go to the driving range with my boyfriend and our friends. I may not be the best at golf but I enjoy learning a new sport!

I'm looking forward to a great semester with you all.

Mahalo,

Taylor

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Hey yall! My name is Ashley Baez Ortiz, I am from Atlanta, Georgia but I have been on island now for about 3 years coming on 4 in a couple of days due to my husbands military obligations. I want to apply to the PTA program here at KCC this May. So I plan on being on a very strict schedule.

In my free time I do pottery, but I'm not good and after taking a class for 2 months the best thing I made was 1 coffee mug and it 1 lb of solid clay. I also enjoy doing sudoku because helps me relax as well as I have a fear of losing my sharpness as I get older so I like to challenge myself.

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Hi All,

I'm Tyler, born and raised here on Oahu. All my life until I graduated college, I was a baseball player. Literally since I was 4.5 years old. I was born into a baseball family so that was my main love and passion. I did play other sports as a kid such as soccer and football, but baseball was always my number 1. I was fortunate enough to play baseball in college all while obtaining a higher education and finishing with a 4 year degree in Sports and Exercise Science.

Now that baseball is done for me, my main hobby is now golf. I try and get on the course as much as I can with friends and my dad on weekends. Currently, I am in the PTA program and looking forward to completing it so I can enter the career of Physical Therapy and help others reach their potential and goals. Unfortunately, I have spent my fair time in PT places for past surgeries on my shoulder and knee. Knowing how helpful they were for me and my passion to stay around the sports world, I look forward to this exciting career.

-Tyler

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Hi I'm Genesis, currently working on my prerequisites for the PTA program. I'm originally from New York living here in Hawaii because my husband is stationed here. I wanted to pursue Physical Therapy as a career since high school, when I was diagnosed with cancer. I understand what it takes to need Physical Therapy and want to get your body back in working condition, which motivates me to pursue it as a career.

Outside of school I work part-time and my hobbies are arts and crafts and building legos.

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Hey everyone!

My name is Christian, and I'll be applying for the PTA program for 2026. Previously, I have served in the US Air Force for 6 years as a C-130J crew chief. Having worked in a physically demanding job such as fixing planes on the airfield has taught me a lot of the importance of physical therapy and I want to pursue a career into the field.

On my free time, I enjoy going to the gym. Recently, I've been focusing on doing Olympic lifts like the snatch and clean-and jerk. I've always been fascinated by the technical aspect of those movements and it's something that I like to challenge myself in doing. So as an active person, I find passion in learning more about physical therapy because it directly influences my everyday life and I can always learn new things. In the future, my hope is to apply that knowledge to help other people. I look forward to a great semester with you all!

-Christian Dellosa

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Hi everyone!

My name is Tiffany Chang, and I’m 20 years old, born and raised on Oahu. I’m currently working on my prerequisites for the PTA program. I’m especially excited for this class because I work as a caregiver for the elderly, many of whom are doing outpatient physical therapy. Even after their sessions, they often continue their PT exercises at home, so I’m eager to learn more about how I can better support them and understand how aging affects the human body physically.

My interest in physical therapy started when I was a very active kid involved in a lot of sports and, as a result, sustained a fair share of injuries! I was introduced to PT after injuring my AC joint in my shoulder. After months of rehab and finally regaining full mobility, I realized how much I appreciated the work that physical therapists do. That experience inspired me to pursue this field so I can help others in their recovery journeys.

A fun fact about me is that I love staying active. My hobbies include powerlifting, bodyboarding, and rock climbing, and this year I’m training for the Honolulu Marathon. I’m also a national competitor in powerlifting and placed 3rd in my weight class at nationals in 2024. As someone who's passionate about being active, I know firsthand how quickly injuries can take that away, so I’m looking forward to learning more and hopefully making a positive difference in someone’s life.

Looking forward to getting to know everyone and learning together!

- Tiffany Chang

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Hi everyone!

My name is Savannah Harris, and I’m currently a student in the Physical Therapist Assistant program. I’m really excited to get to know all of you and share this learning experience together. I’m 21 years old and live in Mililani with my husband. I’m also a first-time mom to my baby boy, Akela, who is now 7 months old and brings so much joy to my life. I grew up as a military child and have lived in seven different states: Missouri, California, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Florida, and Virginia. I moved to O‘ahu in 2019 during my freshman year of high school, and living here has been an amazing experience.

Another cool fact about me, is that I enjoy researching and learning more about dermatology and cosmetic science, particularly ethnically-specific dermatology for Korean and Asian populations. I enjoy exploring how genetics, environment, and cultural practices affect skin health and treatment responses, especially in Korean women like me! I’ve been passionate about physical therapy since middle school. Growing up, I played a variety of sports and even competed at nationals twice in beach volleyball. Physical therapy allows me to combine my interest in the human body, movement, and overall health with the opportunity to make a meaningful, positive impact on people’s lives every day. As a naturally competitive person, I love celebrating victories; big or small, along a patient’s journey to recovery.

I look forward to meeting all of you and having a productive semester!

- Savannah Harris

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Aloha HLTH 270 Students!  Welcome to this class about Geriatrics and Rehab.  I am an outpatient orthopedic physical therapist and I've been teaching at KCC for about 8 years.  I am the Director of Clinical Education of the PTA Program.  I'm looking forward to talking about geriatrics, rehab and physical therapy to all of you.  I am originally from Minnesota.  Dontcha Know that Prince, Winona Ryder, Jessica Biel, and Suni Lee are from my neck of the woods!   I attended undergrad at the University of Notre Dame and I am happy that we have a Korean-American/ African American Head Coach Marcus Freeman!  I was part of the Marching Band when the movie Rudy was recorded on campus, so that is my only entertainment claim to fame.  Now you know if you are asked what ethnicity I am on a test, you know to choose Irish.   It's great to meet you all and to see our current PTA students in this class this year.   Michelle Dela Cruz