By Hillary Lau

Welcoming our Fall NEU PT Students!

Welcome Jevin!

We asked Jevin to share some thoughts about what made him decide to go into the physical therapy field as well as why he wanted to do his co-op here in Hawaii.

What school did you attend in high school and what's your current college?
I attended Ridgepoint High School in Missouri Texas, I graduated from the University of Houston with my bachelors. I am currently a student at Northeastern University in Boston enrolled in the DPT program.

What drew you to physical therapy?
I was drawn to physical therapy because it's a profession where you can help others, weather it's through tough injuries or tough times in their lives. With that being said, PT is a rewarding profession, meaning the work environment is friendly and welcoming. I have the ability to interact with patients on a personal level, to create a bond that will help in the process of improving individuals through their impairments and struggles. Most importantly going through physical therapy myself, I have experienced 1st hand the impact physical therapy has on individuals in a positive way and that is what drives me to continue pursuing a DPT. 

Why did you want to do your co-op in Hawaii?
Coming on vacation, I loved the culture and atmosphere. To live here for 6 months is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Also having many family friends in Hawaii, I am not fully alone here and that has made the move easier for myself. Most importantly, compared to the co-ops that were offered on the mainland, Fukuji and Lum I felt in the interview, valued our presence as students as much as I as a student value learning from the staff.

Why did you want to do your co-op in Hawaii?
Coming on vacation, I loved the culture and atmosphere. To live here for 6 months is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Also having many family friends in Hawaii, I am not fully alone here and that has made the move easier for myself. Most importantly, compared to the co-ops that were offered on the mainland, Fukuji and Lum I felt in the interview, valued our presence as students as much as I as a student value learning from the staff.

What has been your experience like so far?
After a month the experience has been great. I love the working environment and the staff at F & L. Everyone has been very welcoming and has treated me as one of their own since day 1 and makes work sometimes not feel like work. As for living, I think just being surrounded by nature has been very calming and beautiful. The only issue I've come across is the time difference so keeping in touch with friends and family has been an obstacle I have had to figure out. 

What's the strangest thing that you've eaten since arriving?
I do not think I have eaten anything strange yet, but this could change in the next 5 months.

What is on your to-do list while here?
During my 6 months in Hawaii, I want to visit all the islands, do as much hiking as possible, and learn how to surf. Most importantly learn more about the culture in Hawaii and what makes life here so unique to anywhere else in the world.

What kind of therapist do you hope to be?
I hope to be a therapist that is compassionate, understanding, and makes the patients feel comfortable and that they matter in each session. Building trust with the patient in a quick manner in order to have the best results for each patient that I will treat in the future. Overall provide a environment for the patients to want to come in and get better, and not just have to come because they have too. 

Who is your greatest influence in your life?
My mom is the greatest influence for me. Seeing how much she has accomplished coming to the United States from Vietnam, not knowing english or a high educational background. For her to be successful in everything she does, whether it is parenting, work, or even just taking care of our family. She inspires me to continue to push for my dreams and strive for success in whatever I pursue in life. Lastly, no matter how successful my mom is, she never loses sight of her values and continues to be a caring, compassionate individual who can accomplish anything in life. I hope one day I can be like her.  

Happy at Work Learning with Aloha
By Hillary Lau

Welcoming our Fall NEU PT Students!

Aloha Clare!

 

For the next 6 months, Clare and her NEU PT classmates will be working and learning at F&L. Please be sure to welcome her when you see her at our Kailua clinic and Kokokahi pool.

What school did you attend in high school and what is your current college?
I grew up in Madison, Connecticut which is a small town by the beach and went to a high school a few towns
over called Sacred Heart Academy. I went on to earn my undergraduate degree at Sacred Heart University,
where I majored in Biology and minored in Chemistry. There I was also part of the club tennis team and actively
involved in many other campus activities. I took a gap year after graduating to work as a PT Aide and gain
experience in the field before continuing on with post-baccalaureate education at Northeastern University in
their DPT Program.

What drew you to physical therapy?
During my time in undergrad I became very interested in physical health and wellness after taking Anatomy &
Physiology as part of my courses, as well as other courses focused on health and nutrition. This interest led me
to shadow at a PT clinic, which I continued to do throughout undergrad. After graduation I worked as a PT aide
full time and the experience only solidified my interest in Physical Therapy as a career. I enjoyed the time spent
getting to know patients one on one, the relationships that were built, and the many life long benefits that
physical therapy could provide.

Why did you want to do your co-op in Hawaii?
The opportunity to do this co-operative experience in Hawaii was so unique that it immediately interested me.
The chance to live and work in a place that had such a reputation for beautiful scenery and culture as well as a
work experience that was focused on treating the whole person not just the injury was too good to pass up. I
knew this would be the experience of a lifetime that would allow me to grow both personally and academically.

What has been your experience like so far?
I have felt extremely welcomed by the community since being here, from coworkers to patients I have
interacted with and other locals I have met. It has been great getting to know the people while at the same time
experiencing hikes with amazing views, hidden waterfalls in the mountains, snorkeling with turtles, and all the
local food. All in all I would say the experience has been exciting and adventurous!

What's the strangest thing that you've eaten since arriving?
The strangest thing I have eaten since arriving would have to be fresh caught sea urchin! My first weekend
here I was invited to go to the West side of the island to go snorkeling at Electric Beach. While there, a local
caught a sea urchin and I was able to try some of it fresh right on the beach!

What is on your to-do list while here?
While I definitely plan on going on as many hikes and adventures as possible while here, one thing in particular
I want to experience while here is skydiving. The views are incredible from the top of a mountain after a hike,
but I look forward to seeing them from even higher!

What kind of therapist do you hope to be?
I think it is important have a holistic approach to treatment, and to be able to be creative and empathetic in
order to treat the individual and not just the injury. I try to approach patient interactions in this way now, and
hope to continue to practice once I become a fully licensed Physical Therapist.

Who is your greatest influence in your life?
The people who are the greatest influence in my life are definitely my parents, who work tirelessly to give
myself and my siblings the best opportunities possible and who inspire me to do the same!

Happy at Work Learning with Aloha
By Hillary Lau

Welcoming our Fall NEU PT Students!

Welcome Melissa!

Let's give a warm welcome to Melissa, one of four NEU PT students, who will be working with us this fall semester. We appreciate her being a guest blogger for our website as she shares her story of what drew her to Hawaii and why she wants to become a physical therapist.

What school did you attend in high school and what's your current college?
I grew up in Upstate New York in the Albany area and attended Shenendehowa High School. I then continued and received my Bachelor’s degree in Health and Human Physiological Sciences (a fancy name for exercise science) from Skidmore College. And now I am currently in Northeastern University’s DPT program.

What drew you to physical therapy?
Long story short, sports have always been a big part of my life. I started playing soccer when I was 5 and was fortunate enough to play in college. I also ran track and field throughout middle and high school. Through these years I experienced PT as the patient and spent a lot of time in the athletic training room. I didn’t officially know that I wanted to do PT until I worked/shadowed in a PT clinic during my Junior year of college. This clinic was a very welcoming environment to both their faculty and their patients. I was able to see patients from their first evaluation to their discharge. What I have grown to love about physical therapy is the ability of the therapist to build a relationship with their patients while also educating them and allowing them to be active participants in their own health.

 

Why did you want to do your co-op in Hawaii?
I wanted to do my co-op in Hawaii because I have stayed in the northeast my entire life and I think it was time for me to experience something else. I was planning on going abroad my junior year but covid unfortunately didn’t allow me to, so I thought Hawaii was far enough from home to count! Northeastern also had a panel of previous co-op students that came to talk about their experience and the previous students that went to F&L had nothing but great things to say. They talked a lot about how they were treated as family when they came and how it was a very welcoming environment, which is exactly what I wanted in my co-op experience.

What has been your experience like so far?
Everything that I expected and more! I have been keeping my word and doing as many hikes as I can, trying new foods, snorkeling, and going to the beach whenever I have free time. My favorite thing that I have done so far is that I did the Moanalua/Kamananui Valley trail hike and it was the best and most challenging hike I have ever done! The clinic is also so amazing! I feel like I am going to grow so much as a student and take away so many valuable lessons over the next 6 months.

What's the strangest thing that you've eaten since arriving?
I honestly haven’t tried anything that strange since getting here. The first week that I got here I went to a luau with my Dad and brother and I tried poi for the first time. It was definitely an interesting taste and I honestly don’t know if I would try it again. But I would say I am adventurous and will try almost anything at least once!

What is on your to-do list while here?
There’s a never ending list to do here in the 6 months of me living here. But I definitely want to go horseback riding, visit the other islands, and go to the observatory on the Big Island to see the stars above the clouds.

What kind of therapist do you hope to be?
I don’t exactly know what setting I want to work in when I graduate. But I hope that I am able to treat my patients as an individual and not just some injury that I am trying to fix. In the last year, we have learned that there are a lot of elements that come together to make someone “healthy”. I hope that I can be there for my patients as a guide to help improve their health, whether it is physical or mental.

Who is your greatest influence in your life?
It is so hard to pick a single person that has been the greatest influence in my life. I think there are a lot of people in my life that have taught me valuable lessons on how to be the best version of myself. But if I had to narrow it down, I would have to say that my parents have been an enormous influence on my life. They have supported me and taught me to treat others with kindness and that you never know what someone is going through.

Happy at Work Learning with Aloha
By Hillary Lau

Welcoming our Fall NEU PT Students!

Aloha, Jenna!

We welcome Jenna and three of her classmates to join our F&L 'Ohana for the next six months. They are PT Coop students from Northeastern University and are here in Hawaii to learn more about outpatient physical therapy.

What school did you attend in high school and what's your current college?

I’m from a small(ish) town in Massachusetts called Natick where I graduated from Natick High School. After that, I went to the University of Massachusetts Amherst in Western MA and got my bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology. I’m now in Northeastern University’s DPT program in Boston, MA!

What drew you to physical therapy?

I attended physical therapy when I was younger and thought that was something I could do with my life. I went to undergrad for exercise science knowing that I wanted to pursue something that has to do with health and wellness, but I wasn’t always sure exactly what. I’ve always been passionate about the human body, and staying fit and healthy, so I thought physical therapy would be perfect for me.

Why did you want to do your co-op in Hawaii?

First of all, why wouldn’t I! I have never left Massachusetts prior to this co-op, so I figured this would be a great time to experience a new place. I wasn’t able to study abroad at UMass due to COVID, so this was an opportunity to make up for that. Past co-ops talked about their experience at Fukuji & Lum at a student panel, which completely sold me. They talked about how great the clinic is and how much they learned while here, both in and out of the clinic. There’s more to see in this world than just Boston!

What has been your experience like so far?

So far, it has been better than I could have imagined! Between eating, going to the beaches, hiking, and getting to know the patients and therapists at F&L, it’s been an incredibly easy transition. Everyone here is friendly and helpful, which has made the transition so much more comfortable. 

What's the strangest thing that you've eaten since arriving?

Probably uni straight from the ocean. Like I said, I like to eat, so I’ve already tried most “strange” things before. We went to Electric beach our first weekend, and someone caught sea urchin, cracked them open, and gave some to us right on the spot. Maybe not strange, but definitely salty (and really cool). 

 

What is on your to-do list while here?

Eat as much of the food as possible! I love the food here and I love trying new things, so my goal is to eat as many different foods as possible in my short 6 months! I’d also love to go island hopping while I’m here, maybe to Maui, the big island, or Kauai. 

What kind of therapist do you hope to be?

I hope to be the type of therapist that patients are excited to see. I don’t want people to dread or feel like they “have to” attend PT. I hope to be a reliable, knowledgeable, and compassionate therapist. Hopefully I’ll be able someone’s experience in PT meaningful, and set them up for success outside of the clinic.

Who is your greatest influence in your life?

The greatest influence in my life are my parents. They are both so supportive of me and have shown me what it is like to be passionate and successful. They have pushed me to be the best version of myself! I’m grateful to have them standing behind me in everything I do!

Happy at Work Learning with Aloha
By Deb Matsuura

Reflecting on the Co-Op Experience

Lauren shares her favorite memories from her Co-op experience in Hawaii.

Describe a favorite highlight or memory of your experiences in the clinic and outside of work?
Our last day on the island, we met up with one of our coworkers/ friends Shelly. The six of us woke up at dawn, hopped in two cars and drove up to the most western portion of the island near Ka’ena Point. Shelly knew a small beach where dolphins usually circle in the morning. We had seen them from the shore when we were assembling our gear. We put on our fins and snorkel gear and swam out a few hundred feet off of shore. We waited and waited and after about 45 minutes we were about ready to call it quits, when all of a sudden we heard their high pitched calls. We raced back out just in time to catch them swimming by. It was a great way to culminate all of the amazing adventures and experiences I had throughout my time.

My favorite memory inside the clinic came from the Kailua Open House. The staff at Kailua worked really hard to prepare to show off the clinic to the entire staff. We prepared games, including pin the tail on the bunny with a psychedelic tie-dye bunny rabbit. Everyone took turns trying to pin the tail on the bunny with very little success, many people didn't even hit the same wall. It was my greatest memory from my time at Fukuji and Lum.

Who had the most impact on you during your time here?
My supervisor Brynn had a profound impact on my experience in Hawaii. Not only was she acgreat resource for any problems I had at the clinic but she also came to be one of my closest friends in my time there. We spent many nights playing board games or going to the beach with the rest of the co-ops. It was great to have both a mentor and a friend to go to when I had an issue. Not to mention our fiercely competitive Wordle competition.

What was the most surprising thing that you did not expect to learn?
I learned so much about Hawaiian culture not only through coworkers but many of my patients took the time to enlighten me with all of their stories and tales. One of my patients was an older gentleman who grew up right next to the current Kailua clinic, he watched Kailua town turn from a scrappy neighborhood into what it is today. One day I sneezed during our session and he said “Kihe a mauli ola” and explained that it means breath of life.

If you had to choose one word about your experience, what word would you choose?
If I had to choose one word to describe my experience at Fukuji and Lum and with my time in Hawaii, I would choose malama. Malama means to take care of and tend to. Everyone that I met in my time in Hawaii was watching over others, putting everyone else before themselves, which is really the spirit of Hawaii that I felt deeply when I was there. No matter wether it is celebrating a birthday, or sharing laughs on aloha friday, everyone's purpose is to serve others and make them feel loved.

From this experience, what intentions will you have going forward with your career?
My experience with Fukuji and Lum has given me a great idea of what a company should look like. From top to bottom the entire company treats each other as ohana, with love and respect for patients and coworkers alike. I will carry this philosophy of business into whatever company I end up at, trying to help my coworkers feel like they are at home within their work environment.

Happy at Work Learning with Aloha
By Hillary Lau

Reflecting on the Co-Op Experience

Julia Reflects on Her Time in Hawaii

Julia shares about her experience as a co-op and how it continues to have a positive impact on her education and passion for physical therapy. 

Thinking back on my time in Hawaii, I can easily say that spending six months working at Fukuji & Lum was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Going into this experience I was so excited to see the outpatient side of physical therapy for the first time and apply and expand my knowledge. Within the six short months I was at Fukuji & Lum I learned more than I ever could have imagined and feel so much more confident and prepared heading into my upcoming classes and future clinical rotations. I am so thankful for the WORC crew who welcomed me with open arms and made my time at Fukuji & Lum so memorable. The therapists at WORC were all amazing mentors and not only challenged me as a student, but also supported and trusted me to apply my skills inside the clinic. Not only were they great teachers, but also such a fun crew of people to work alongside and made leaving Hawaii that much harder. I'm also grateful for my exposure to aquatic therapy and seeing the contrast between the calm, slower moving aquatic sessions and the fast paced, busy days at WORC and coming to love and appreciate my time spent in both. Overall, I am so thankful to be a part of such an amazing company that truly became ‘ohana. From my experience inside the clinic, to time spent with coworkers outside of work at the beach, on the sandbar, at game nights and everything in between, I will forever have a special place in my heart for everyone at Fukuji & Lum.

Outside of the clinic, I was eager to see and do as much as I possibly could in my short time on Oahu. When I first got to Hawaii I wanted to do things that got me out of my comfort zone such as go skydiving, swimming with sharks and on ridge hikes. I'm happy to say I accomplished all of that and much more and couldn't be more happy with all I got out of this experience. I fell in love with hiking during my time in Oahu and hiked well over 30 incredible, challenging and beautiful trails. Out of all of them, I'd have to say I loved hiking the stairway to heaven with all the coops the most out of any. Spending 11 miles hiking up through muddy trenches, intense wind and along narrow ridges was an incredible experience that made me so appreciative for all my body could do. And accomplishing this alongside each of the other co-ops made it even more special! Other than hiking, I am going to miss chasing the beautiful sunrises and sunsets, snorkeling and swimming with turtles, dolphins, and fish, and visiting all the beautiful beaches & lookout spots around the island. I'm already missing the people, food, nature and overall beauty I got to immerse myself in during my six months in Oahu- and I'm looking for any excuse to get myself back there!!

This experience wouldn't have been what it was if it weren't for the 4 other co-ops I was with- Annie, Meg, Lauren and Holland who all deserve a shout out. It was an incredible experience getting to know and live with my classmates, as well as explore the island, try new foods and meet new people with them. We had an amazing 6 months together packed full of adventures, good eats and lots of laughs. Thank you ladies for being the best co-workers, classmates and friends!

Going forward, I am excited to utilize all the new skills and knowledge I have for my upcoming classes, clinicals and future as a physical therapist. The relationships I made both with therapists and patients helped to shape me into an even better future clinician & I appreciate learning from all the diverse perspectives and personalities I encountered in my time at Fukuji & Lum. I am forever grateful to have had this opportunity to help further shape into the well educated, compassionate and patient centered  physical therapist I hope to be in a few short years.

Thanks for the best time and the best memories Oahu! Missing Hawaii & everyone at Fukuji & Lum every day!

Happy at Work Learning with Aloha
By Hillary Lau

Reflecting on the Co-Op Experience

Holland Reflects on Her Time in Hawaii

We are always excited to hear about our students' experiences and learn about their favorite parts while in Hawaii and working with Fukuji & Lum staff. Holland tells us what impacted her the most and the highlights throughout her six months as a co-op.

What was the one experience that you think was the highlight of the experience? One in the clinic and one outside the clinic.

Since coming back two months ago, so many people have asked me what the best part of my time in Hawaii was, and I still struggle to come up with an answer because the whole experience was so surreal and amazing! One experience that sticks out was the open house at the newly renovated Kailua clinic, the clinic reopened during my first week so it was so much fun to share the space with everyone and get to celebrate all the hard work that went into it all together. That was the first event I attended with the whole company and it was so great to really feel like part of the ‘ohana. Outside of the clinic, the highlight would have to be hiking to Moanalua valley trail to stairway to heaven with the other four coops. It was my favorite hike on the island, and it was so special to accomplish it all together (even after a few scary moments on the way up)!

Who had the most impact on you during your time here?

It’s impossible to pick just one person! All the PTs, PTAs, techs, and of course the other coops made the experience what it was. I was lucky enough to spend a lot of time working with Rachel Hyland at the Kroc center and got to learn so much from her about PT, leadership, and life on all our drives out to Kapolei. The whole staff at the Kailua clinic was so amazing and always willing to take time out of their day to teach me new skills and test my knowledge, I learned so much from every one of them. Most of all, the other coops made the experience so much fun both in and out of the clinic—we did so much together and I couldn’t have asked for a better group of girls to share this chapter of our lives!

What was the most surprising thing that you did not expect to learn?

I didn’t expect that I would learn to love orthopedics as much as I did! On one of my first days in the clinic, one of the therapists taught me about scapulohumeral rhythm and explained how the thoracic spine can affect shoulder mobility; this helped me to realize just how much everything is connected and how the body really is a puzzle. I love how intellectually challenging ortho can be, and as I learned more throughout my coop and began to be able to put the pieces of the puzzle together I really grew to love it.

From this experience, what intentions will you have going forward with your career?

In my first blog post, I said I hoped to be the kind of therapist who is a great educator. After my six months at Fukuji & Lum, that intention has not changed. In addition to educating patients in order to help them achieve the best possible outcomes, I also understand how important education is for the profession as a whole. The work that Fukuji & Lum is doing to educate people on the value of PT as part of their standard healthcare is so valuable and unique, and I know this kind of education will help to grow the profession so much. I hope that in my career I can do similar work to educate people on all that PT can be and to continue to advance the profession. Additionally, I hope to be a mentor and educator for students. I learned so much from everyone at Fukuji & Lum and am so appreciative of their mentorship, I can only hope to pay it forward in my career.

If you had to choose one word about your experience, what word would you choose?

Adventure! This coop was truly the adventure of a lifetime, when I first came to Hawaii I made it my goal to leave no stone unturned and between skydiving, swimming with turtles, dolphins, and sharks, 60+ hikes, and chasing countless sunrises and sunsets I truly made the most of my experience and didn’t waste a moment.

Happy at Work Learning with Aloha
By Hillary Lau

Welcoming our Fall NEU PT Students!

Welcome, Samantha!

Samantha grew up on the East Coast and was interested in seeing other parts of the country and experiencing something new. She tells us about her co-op experience so far and what has driven her to become a physical therapist.

What school did you attend in high school and what's your current college?

I went to North Attleboro High School in North Attleboro Massachusetts. I then went to Syracuse University and got my undergraduate degree in Health and Exercise Science with a minor in psychology. I am currently pursuing my DPT at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. 

What drew you to physical therapy?

Sports have always been a huge part of my life, so I originally was drawn to physical therapy while watching professional sports and seeing the PTs and athletic trainers on the sidelines. I thought that I would pursue working with a professional team, but after working as a summer camp counselor for the past 6 years, I definitely want to continue working with them in my career.

Why did you want to do your co-op in Hawaii?

After growing up and going to school in the northeast, I wanted to experience living in a different environment and embracing a whole new culture. I also love being active and enjoying the outdoors and so far, the hikes here have been absolutely incredible! Aside from the location, previous co-op students have had nothing but great things to say about Fukuji and Lum so I knew this would be a great professional learning experience. 

What has your experience been like so far?

In short, it has been amazing! We have been exploring beaches, hikes, food, and everything else the island has to offer. My favorite thing we have done so far is the Maunawili Falls Trail. 

What's the strangest thing that you've eaten since arriving?

Definitely poi from the Waiahole Poi Factory. It had a very interesting flavor and texture, but I would try it again as a side with a Kalua pig plate!

What is on your to-do list while here?

There are many things that I have on my to-do list here in Hawaii but my top three are diving with sharks, learning how to surf, and skydiving! I also want to try as much local food as possible. 

What kind of therapist do you hope to be?

In any setting, I hope to be a caring, reliable, and talented therapist. Ultimately, I hope to become a pediatric physical therapist helping kids to reach their full potential. 

Who is your greatest influence in your life?

My greatest influence is my best friend and brother John. He is only 2 and half years older than me but he is the one that got me interested in working with kids. We worked together at a sports camp at the North Attleboro YMCA for 6-7 summers and it was such a fun and rewarding job being able to make lasting connections with the kids while making lifelong memories with my brother. We grew up playing every sport together so working together to teach kids the same sports we love was awesome. 

Happy at Work Learning with Aloha
By Hillary Lau

Welcoming our Fall NEU PT Students!

Aloha, Sarah!

Sarah tells us about her passion for becoming a physical therapist and how excited she is to be learning in such a beautiful place!

What school did you attend in high school and what's your current college?

Hello! My name is Sarah! I am currently attending Northeastern University’s DPT program. I attended Pomperaug High School in Southbury, CT. I then attended the University of Delaware where I majored in Exercise Science.  

What drew you to physical therapy?

As an athlete growing up, I have always valued movement and exercise and know how much it impacts a person's well-being. I have always known I wanted to go into a profession where I would be able to help others and physical therapy allows me to do just that! I love how this profession enables individuals to get back to doing the activities and hobbies they enjoy by educating the patients on what they can do to help their own bodies and become an active part of their healing process. This profession allows the therapists to build a relationship with their patients to work with them to achieve their goals to get back to doing what they love. 

Why did you want to do your co-op in Hawaii?

I wanted to do my co-op here in Hawaii because I have always loved traveling and exploring new places. I also felt like it was a great time to experience change and live somewhere new! I also heard such amazing things from past co-op students about their time with Fukuji and Lum and wanted to experience it myself!

What has been your experience like so far?

I have loved my experience so far and every day I wake up and feel so grateful that I am able to learn and grow in such a beautiful place. Everyone at the clinic is so welcoming and excited to share their knowledge. They are always willing to take time to explain the different aspects of their sessions from manual therapy to the exercises they chose and encourage me to learn new skills. In addition, they have been very thoughtful and spent time getting to know me as an individual. From giving me different books about Hawaii to playing games to get to know me better, I have felt very welcomed and thoroughly have enjoyed my time here so far!

What's the strangest thing that you've eaten since arriving?

I haven’t eaten anything that strange so far. However, the most unique thing that I have tried is poi, which was new. I am very excited to try more Hawaiian foods when I am here! 

What is on your to-do list while here?

Everything and anything! Overall, I am very excited to explore everything this island has to offer and look forward to all the gorgeous hikes, long beach days, and sunrises/sunsets I am lucky enough to experience while I am here! 

What kind of therapist do you hope to be?

I want to be the kind of therapist that makes the patient feel like they are listened to and understood. I want patients to feel as if I am caring for them as an individual as opposed to just treating one specific injury. I want to lead with empathy, compassion, and understanding to provide the best care possible!

Who is your greatest influence in your life?

The greatest influence in my life has been my grandmother. She is the sweetest person and always goes the extra mile for everyone and is so caring. Kindness and humility can be seen in everything she does and inspires me to do the same. 

Happy at Work Learning with Aloha
By Hillary Lau

Welcoming our Fall NEU PT Students!

Hello, Becky!

Becky tells us about how she became interested in physical therapy, what she's most excited for with the co-op experience, and who inspires her the most.

What school did you attend in high school and what's your current college?

I’m originally from New Jersey and I attended Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan. I continued my education and earned my undergraduate degree at Trinity College in Hartford, CT where I majored in Biology and minored in Religious studies. I also played DIII collegiate volleyball. Now I’m currently a post-baccalaureate student in the DPT program at Northeastern University.

What drew you to physical therapy?

My first exposure to physical therapy was when I was 16 years old and had a high ankle sprain injury. I was trying to return to sport in the best possible shape to prevent re-injury. I had a first-hand experience with the healing and strengthening process where I really felt the benefits of PT. I then wanted to gain more experience in the field, so I started to shadow multiple outpatient PTs where I saw other patients experience improvements in quality of life. From experiencing PT as a patient and working as an aide, I liked how the profession could help people feel better. I was also able to make personal connections with patients and I enjoyed hearing individual stories.

Why did you want to do your co-op in Hawaii?

I wanted to do my co-op in Hawaii because I wanted to experience learning is a different environment. I have lived and completed my education on the East coast all my life, so given this chance I wanted to travel away from home. I also heard many great things from past co-ops about having personal growth and thought a change of scenery and new exposures would be an amazing way to do the same. 

What has been your experience like so far?

My experience in Hawaii so far has been exciting and adventurous! We have done many hikes which include Manoa falls, Lulumahu falls, Maunawili falls, Kuliouou ridge, and Olomana first peak! I have seen some spectacular views of the island! We have also done some kayaking and relaxing at the beach to get as much sun as possible! I would say so far, the North Shore is my favorite part of the island with the beautiful beaches, food trucks, and the drive along the water!

What's the strangest thing that you've eaten since arriving?

The new food I’ve had since arriving is poi which is grounded taro root. I tried it from the Waiahole Poi Factory and the consistency was interesting, but the taste was not bad. It was not my favorite thing I’ve ever eaten, but I will try anything twice. 

What is on your to-do list while here?

There are many other hikes and adventures on my to-do list while in Hawaii. The activity I’m most looking forward to is checking out the food scene in Oahu! I have not been able to do much of that, but I want to try all the local foods and some good restaurants! I am also looking forward to exploring Kualoa Ranch because I love the Jurassic Park movies and want to see where they filmed. I also plan on skydiving, swimming with sharks/turtles, and maybe take a surf lesson!

What kind of therapist do you hope to be?

I hope to be a therapist who is empathetic, dedicated, and creative! With patient care, I think it’s important to show the patient you are listening and that you care. Going the extra mile for a patient and/or even coworker can go a long way. Also making exercises meaningful and relatable are key for successful outcomes. I have been enjoying the holistic approach that Fukuji & Lum follows and hope to carry that into my own future practice as well.

Who is your greatest influence in your life?

The greatest influences in my life are my parents. My mom has the biggest heart and will go the extra mile for people. She has shown me that being kind to others makes a difference. My dad is hard working and intelligent, but also very funny. He has taught me working smart, showing humility, and not taking life to seriously are ways to be successful in the future. My parents have so many great qualities and have raised me to strive to be the best I can be while also being responsible, empathetic, and able to persevere. I’m grateful to have them in my life as such amazing role models. 

Happy at Work Learning with Aloha