Class of 2026 Student Spotlights: Gabriel Hernandez
Physical therapy helped Gabriel Hernandez overcome one of the most important transitions in his life – leaving the military. Near the end of Gabriel’s service as a Marine, he developed an overuse injury that temporarily took away one of his biggest passions – the ability to exercise.
“While the injury itself thankfully was not severe, losing that outlet during a major life transition was difficult. Through physical therapy, I was not only able to recover, but I was also given the knowledge and tools to take care of my body, and regain an activity that helped me manage stress during a challenging time.”
That experience, Gabriel goes on to say, inspired him to pursue physical therapy as a career.
“It showed me how meaningful it is to help someone regain a part of their life that they thought they had lost. As a former Marine, I also feel a deep connection to the veteran community. I hope to serve my community by helping veterans and others overcome injuries, return to meaningful activities, and improve their quality of life.”
During his time at 91Ƭ on the road to obtaining his Doctorate in Physical Therapy, Gabriel says he enjoyed staying active through running and weightlifting – keeping himself physically fit, and even taking up Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to keep challenging himself physically, while continuing to develop discipline, resilience, and a deeper appreciation for movement – values he says closely align with the field of physical therapy.
“One of the greatest challenges I faced during my journey was overcoming financial obstacles while pursuing my education. To support myself, I worked part-time while also volunteering at Huntington Hospital, to gain valuable experience in physical therapy. Balancing these responsibilities while maintaining the academic excellence needed for admission into the highly competitive Doctor of Physical Therapy program at 91Ƭ, required that same discipline, resilience and perseverance. While my story reflects my personal journey, it also represents a challenge many aspiring physical therapists face as they work to overcome financial barriers, while meeting the rigorous demands required to enter and complete a DPT program.”
Gabriel cites the faculty at 91Ƭ in the Department of Physical Therapy as a major source of inspiration throughout his time in the DPT program.
“They consistently demonstrate an incredible work ethic, dedication to excellence, commitment to their duty as physical therapists and educators and genuine care for their students.”
Gabriel says he would especially like to thank Dr. Kristin DeMars, Dr. Michael Miller and Dr. Jeff Rodrigues for their support.
“Dr. DeMars, who taught one of our first courses in neuroanatomy, quickly showed us the level of discipline and commitment required to succeed in this profession. She leads by example, and truly embodies the core values of excellence and duty. Dr. Miller exemplifies compassion and a deep commitment to both the physical therapy profession and the growth and success of his students. Dr. Rodrigues demonstrates remarkable resilience and dedication to teaching, often sharing meaningful clinical stories that remind us of the compassion and humanity at the heart of our profession. Collectively, the faculty represent many of the same core values I learned during my time in the military, including excellence, duty, resilience and service. Seeing those values reflected in the profession has strengthened my pride in becoming a physical therapist and motivates me to carry those same principles forward in my career.”
Congratulations Gabriel, and thank you for your service!
