Each year approximately 30 PT Ambassadors volunteer their time and energy to be the student voice of the DPT program. All of our Ambassadors are actively involved in campus culture and the local Physical Therapy community, and work closely with the Admissions Office to provide an invaluable resource for prospective students.

We encourage you to speak with a current student about their experience applying to and choosing Pacific University's School of Physical Therapy. Ambassador's emails are provided below, and they will be happy to help you learn why Pacific is the school for you!

Please follow our program Facebook page to hear from current students and learn about program events.

Class of 2022

Name | Kelsey Morihara, Lead Ambassador

Class of 2022

Email | mori8094@pacificu.edu

Undergraduate Institution and Major | Creighton University Exercise Science & Pre-Health Professions major, minor in Theology

Hometown | Waipahu, HI

One Reason I Chose Pacific | "I chose Pacific University because the DPT program felt like a welcoming environment with its core values of community, inclusion, and collaboration. Pacific is a place that provides an excellent education and the foundational tools to be a good clinician; one who is competent in the skills and knowledge of the profession to advocate for my patients and treat them holistically. This program has many things on my “list” – a good class size, engaging professors, strong emphasis on evidence-based research, success after graduation, nice facilities, welcoming classmates, and summers off (bonus). I knew Pacific would push me out of my comfort zone, which is where I grow the most. The PTs I shadowed who attended Pacific reminded me a lot of the students at Pacific. The people here at Pacific are intentional about taking the time to encourage me, teach me, and meet me where I am at. The positive experience I had on interview day that made me love Pacific so much, has stayed true to this day.”

Hobbies | Hiking, Going to the beach, Baking, Volunteering with youth, Eat #Foodie

PT Student Activities | Student Ambassador

Name | Morgan Aase

Class of 2022

Email | aase5004@pacificu.edu

Undergraduate Institution and Major | Oregon State University- Kinesiology

Hometown | Hillsboro, OR

One Reason I Chose Pacific | "I chose Pacific University because of the positive and welcoming atmosphere on interview day. I immediately felt at home at Pacific. The faculty genuinely want students to succeed and become the best clinicians possible. I also liked the location and the clinical opportunities." 

Hobbies | Traveling, hiking, working out, watching Netflix, playing board games, and exploring new places

PT Student Activities | Student Ambassador

Name | Megan Dalmacio

Class of 2022

Email | dalm1060@pacificu.edu

Undergraduate Institution and Major | Creighton University, Exercise Science and Pre-Health Professions
Hometown | Ewa Beach, HI

One Reason I Chose Pacific | I chose Pacific University because of its reputation for putting out knowledgable AND compassionate physical therapists. Any school can push you academically but I truly feel that what makes Pacific special is its focus on developing you professionally and in your capacity for empathy. I was also thoroughly impressed after my interview day experience. The level of camaraderie among the students and faculty was so encouraging and comforting, especially on such a stressful day. The supportive environment created by the faculty and other students has contributed greatly to my successful transition into graduate school.

Hobbies | Cooking, Hiking, Find New Coffee Shops, Watching Korean dramas, Trying New Restaurants

PT Student Activities | Student Ambassador

Name | Sydney Neumann

Class of 2022

Email | reyn4951@pacificu.edu 

Undergraduate Institution and Major | George Fox University, Exercise Science 

Hometown | Lodi, CA

One Reason I Chose Pacific | I chose Pacific University because of the opportunity to collaborate with students from other healthcare disciplines and the school's commitment to developing well-rounded physical therapists. Everyone I interacted with on interview day was genuinely passionate about the profession, which made me even more excited to be a PT student at Pacific!

Hobbies | Dancing, running, cycling, and trying new coffee shops 

PT Student Activities |  Pacific DPT Student Ambassador, APTA Core Ambassador for Oregon, APTA-Oregon Student Leadership Committee, APTA-Oregon Government Affairs Committee, American Physical Therapy Association, and APTA-Oregon member

Name | Annie Volk

Class of 2022

Email | volk4955@pacificu.edu

Undergraduate Institution and Major | University of Wisconsin – La Crosse, Exercise Science & Spanish Minor

Hometown | Hudson, WI

One Reason I Chose Pacific | "I chose Pacific University because of the welcoming and caring atmosphere the students, professors, and overall campus provided during interview day and through emails. I also liked the structure of the program and additional experiences offered such as volunteer opportunities, international clinical experience sites, and healthcare Spanish elective courses." 

Hobbies | Hiking, rock climbing, kayaking, cake decorating, cooking, Netflix, and exploring new places

PT Student Activities | Student Ambassador, Student Assembly Service and Outreach Coordinator, APTA member

Class of 2021

Cody Lim

Class of 2021

Email | lim7815@pacificu.edu

Undergraduate Institution and Major | University of Hawaii at Manoa, Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Science

Hometown | Waipahu, HI

One Reason I Chose Pacific | "One of the main reasons I chose Pacific University was because of the professional interactions between students across the different years along with the professors. Camaraderie is a big thing, the professors do their best to help students understand and prepare to be future physical therapists, while students help support each other in and out of the classroom."

Hobbies | Photography, Volleyball, Running, Hanging Out, Hiking, Eating, Video Games (when there is time)

PT Student Activities |  Student Ambassador 

Kera Akiyama

Class of 2021

Email | kera.akiyama@pacificu.edu

Undergraduate Institution and Major | Northern Arizona University, Chemistry and Exercise Science

Hometown | Hilo, Hawaii

One Reason I Chose Pacific | "I chose Pacific University because of their exceptional reputation as a Doctor of Physical Therapy program in the Pacific Northwest."

Hobbies | Soccer, hiking, adventuring, photography, and eating good food!

PT Student Activities | Student Ambassador, Intramural Soccer

Maile Altier

Class of 2021

Email | maile.altier@pacificu.edu

Undergraduate Institution and Major | Oregon State University - Kinesiology

Hometown | Lahaina, HI

One Reason I Chose Pacific | "I chose Pacific University because of how accepted and welcomed I immediately felt by the faculty and current students. I also loved that the campus is just made up of professional health programs and that interacting with students within different programs is built into our curriculum.”

Hobbies | Hiking, working out, hanging out on the coast, listening to podcasts, cooking, and exploring new places

PT Student Activities | Student Ambassador, APTA & OPTA member

Drew Hamm

Class of 2021

Email |  hamm7451@pacificu.edu

Undergraduate Institution and Major | University of Idaho / Exercise Science and Health

Hometown | The Dalles, OR

One Reason I Chose Pacific | I chose Pacific because of the commitment the staff and faculty make to their students, to help them succeed in school and become the best Physical Therapist they can be

Hobbies | Hiking, camping, adventuring, baking/cooking, boating, snowboarding, reading, spending time with family & friends

PT Student Activities |  Student Ambassador, APTA member