Dr. Diaz, PT, DPT, PhD is a licensed physical therapist from East Los Angeles, California, who has 10 years of experience treating patients and teaching in several universities. Dr. Diaz earned his baccalaureate in Exercise Science from Cal State LA, achieved his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Mount Saint Mary’s University, and after completing an orthopedic residency and movement fellowship, attained his PhD in Leadership in the Health Sciences from the University of the Cumberlands. His dissertation was titled “The Meaning Doctoral Physical Therapists Make of Their Previous Student Service-Learning Experiences with the Homeless Population”.

Clinically, Dr. Diaz is an ABPTS Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) and is certified as an APTA Credentialed Clinical Instructor, Movement Links Specialist, DNS Exercise Trainer, and has recently traveled to Prague to complete the DNS course series to become a DNS Practitioner. He is also in progress towards achieving his Certificate of Advanced Practice in PT in Pelvic Health (CAPP-Pelvic). He has worked with clients in various settings, including HMO, PPO, community health centers, pro bono services for the homeless, and private in-home concierge services. He primarily treats orthopedic conditions but has experience in treating several other conditions, including chronic pain, post-op recovery, balance, vestibular, TMJ, performance, and aquatic therapy.

Dr. Diaz has taught students in various programs across several Southern California universities, including courses in undergraduate kinesiology, physical therapy, physical therapy assistant, occupational therapy, and chiropractic curricula. He primarily teaches anatomy, orthopedics, therapeutic exercise, and service learning, and also helps with teaching continuing education courses for Movement Links. 

Dr. Diaz is also an APTA member, APTA district representative for the Long Beach - South Bay district, and a member of the California, geriatric, oncology, and pelvic health chapters of APTA.

In addition to his content expertise, Dr. Diaz has developed his instructional and student evaluation skills through graduate coursework and continuing education courses that focus on leadership, higher education, the adult learner, online learning, and teaching science.

In recent years, student ratings of his effectiveness as an instructor have ranged from 4 to 5 on a 5-point scale. Comments provided by peer evaluators for Dr. Diaz cite his teaching strengths as maintaining exceptionally high professional standards, making sure each student develops ownership of their learning experience, and delivering the curriculum with humor and simplified explanations. Student also convey their appreciation for Dr. Diaz’s sense of humor, high but fair expectations, and ability to explain complex concepts in a relatable way. In addition, Dr. Diaz has also been selected by students as a commencement speaker.

American Heart Association, Basic Life Support Provider, 235416820149, 2023-05-19, 2025-05-01

APTA Pelvic Health, Pelvic Health Physical Therapy Level 1, N/A, 2025-10-12, 2028-12-31, Yes

DNS, DNS Practitioner, N/A, 2025-08-22, 2028-12-31, Yes

DNS, DNS Exercise Trainer, N/A, 2025-02-28, 2028-12-31, Yes

Movement Links, Movement Links Specialist, N/A, 2018-01-01, 2028-12-31, Yes

APTA, Credentialed Clinical Instructor, N/A, 2016-01-31, 2028-12-31, Yes

Hybrid Learning Certificate, March 2025, Evidence in Motion, California

Type: Residency, Healthcare Partners, Residency, Orthopedics, Torrance, California, United States, December 2015, December 2016

Type: Fellowship, Azusa Pacific University, Fellowship, Movement System, Azusa, California, United States, February 2018, February 2019

2022 - Ongoing

Adjunct Faculty and Assistant Professor, Southern California University, Whittier, California, United States

Physical Therapist, Private Concierge Physical Therapy and Wellness

2021 - 2025

Adjunct Faculty, Stanbridge University, Alhambra, California, United States

Adjunct Faculty, West Coast University, Los Angeles, California, United States

2021 - 2022

Physical Therapist, South Bay Sports Medicine, Torrance, California, United States

2018 - 2025

Adjunct Faculty, Mount Saint Mary's University, Los Angeles, California, United States

2015 - 2021

Physical Therapist, Healthcare Partners (now Optum), Torrance, California, United States

2011 - 2023

Adjunct Faculty, California State University, Los Angeles, California

Physical Therapist, University Health Center, Whittier September 2023

Fall 2024 - Fall 2024

Global Health SIG Ribbon, 2024, Global Health SIG

Spring 2024 - Ongoing

APTA, March 2016, Ongoing, Geriatric, Oncology, Pelvic sections

anatomy, therapeutic exercise, orthopedics, hands-on skills, clinical mentoring, leadership, education, integrative healthcare, physical therapy, education, orthopedics, wellness, integrative health