PT Path

In this episode of PT Path, Amber Fitzsimmons talks with Tanya Goodrich, PT, DPT, founder of Healthy Pelvis Physical Therapy and one of the nation's leading voices in pelvic health physical therapy. Recently named a 2026–2027 Tory Burch Foundation Fellow, Tanya joins an extraordinary cohort of women entrepreneurs recognized for their vision, leadership, and commitment to building businesses w...

When Jonathan Ide-Don was a student in the UCSF/SFSU Graduate Program in Physical Therapy, he had a singular goal: to become the best orthopedic and sports physical therapist he could be. After graduating, he completed the Kaiser Hayward mentorship and fellowship programs, gaining intensive clinical training and mentorship early in his career. He then practiced at CPMC while also becoming involved...

Beth Popolizio: Forging a New Path in Neuro PT Amber Fitzsimmons interviews Beth Popolizio, a 2014 program graduate, about her path into physical therapy and entrepreneurship. After starting her career in hospitality, Beth sought a more meaningful, expertise-driven profession and entered PT school. She went on to complete a PNF residency at Kaiser Vallejo, which she credits with strengthening her...

Welcome to Season 2 of PT Path!  In this episode, host Amber Fitzsimmons speaks with alum Emily Gee about her journey from cellist to physical therapist to Assistant Professor and Director of Musician Wellness at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Emily shares how her own rehab experience shaped her passion for helping performing artists, and how she now blends education, injury prevention, ment...

Benjamin Boyd has always been fascinated by how the human body works, the interplay of muscles, movement and skeletal structure. With a father who was a pediatric physiatrist, he was exposed to health care early on. After a foray into environmental studies, he eventually discovered physical therapy, where he became especially captivated by the nature of pain and its deep connection to the human ex...

We all know the celebrities who helped popularize Pilates into the global phenomenon it is today. But this latest guest, UCSF alum Brent Anderson, PT, PhD, also played a pivotal role in shaping that rise. His company, Polestar Pilates, founded in 1992, now has a global presence with education centers and certified instructors in more than 50 countries. Brent entered the scene when most people had...

For Madeline Ratoza, PT, DPT, PhD, a career in academia was always a long-term goal fueled by a passion for learning and a deep-seated curiosity about how systems shape care. In this episode of PT Path , host Amber Fitzsimmons talks with Dr. Ratoza about her journey from the clinic to the classroom and how her research at the intersection of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and social determin...

Tiffany Schubert hadn’t planned on becoming a physical therapist and she didn’t expect to specialize in geriatrics. Yet her career has spanned remarkable paths: from PT at Kaiser, to research scientist leading CDC projects with national impact, to product manager bringing evidence-based exercise programs to older adults through tech. Most recently, she’s embraced a new role as Visiting Professor a...

In this episode, we sit down with Raad Shebib, PT, DPT, whose career path has taken him from patient care to the cutting edge of health technology. Today, as a product leader at Prompt Health, Raad is on a mission to transform electronic health records and reimagine how technology can serve clinicians and patients alike. A self-described multi-hyphenate , Raad has drawn from his diverse experience...

In this episode, host Amber Fitzsimmons interviews Claudia Canales, a 2019 graduate of the UCSF/SFSU Graduate Program in Physical Therapy, who transitioned from traditional clinical care to a leadership role in digital health. The first in her family to attend college, Claudia shares how formative experiences as a patient and a deep commitment to underserved communities shaped her path. After star...

From the Peace Corps to prevention-focused care, Pam Butterfield has built a career around service, adaptability, and lifelong learning. In this episode of PT Path , she joins host Amber Fitzsimmons to reflect on her background in health and wellness, integrative medicine, and healthcare ergonomics. Pam shares impactful experiences from acute rehab to her transformative time in the Peace Corps, he...

When Steven Hartley graduated from the UCSF/SFSU Graduate Program in Physical Therapy in 2017, he was certain he wanted to be a sports or ortho PT. But after landing a job that looked ideal on paper, he quickly found himself facing burnout. That experience led him to pivot into a leadership role at a skilled nursing facility and discovering a love of geriatrics. Wanting to further expand his impac...

In this episode, we dive into the inspiring career of Alyssa Herrera-Set, PT, DPT, an  alum of the UCSF/SFSU Graduate Program in Physical Therapy and a renowned physical therapist. We explore her career trajectory, from working in advertising to becoming an entrepreneur in physical therapy. Alyssa shares her journey into founding On the Move Physical Therapy and Pilates, discussing her motivations...

In this conversation Cory Arth discusses his journey – from growing up in Truckee, Lake Tahoe in an outdoor sports environment to navigating a non-traditional career path in movement-based medicine. He currently resides in Shanghai, China, where he strives to make a significant impact on the local health and fitness landscape. Cory shares his experiences working with top-level athletes globally, f...

In this episode of PT Path, host Amber Fitzsimmons interviews Tianna Meriage-Reiter, a dedicated alum and board member of the UCSF alumni association who transitioned from running her own practice in Alameda, CA, to working at the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center. Tianna shares her career journey, which includes her path from private practice, where she integrated yoga therapy, to her current rol...

In this episode, we meet Patrick Sullivan, a class of 2016 graduate of the UCSF/SFSU Graduate Program in Physical Therapy, who now serves as an active duty Air Force physical therapist. Patrick shares his career journey, from his initial interest in health care during high school to his current role in the Air Force. He discusses the influence of mentors, the valuable experiences gained through va...