Learn About Our Orthopedic Residency Program
Meet Our New Resident PT...
Dr. David Nguyen, PT, DPT, is the new resident physical therapist at PT@TheBeach – the Orthopedic Physical Therapy Clinic housed in the LifeFit Center at CSULB. It is a full circle moment for Dr. Nguyen having the opportunity to use his professional physical therapy skills on campus, as he obtained his undergraduate degree from The Beach in sociology followed by obtaining his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree here last spring.
“I’ve actually spent a lot of my career here at Long Beach State,” Dr. Nguyen says with a chuckle. “When I graduated from here in 2020 with my sociology degree, I wasn’t sure where to go career-wise, but I got big into health and fitness and wanted to find a career where I could help people. I saw physical therapy as the perfect career for me and I think the best part about it, is that it teaches us a lot about the journey to self-improvement and self-healing. The idea that we can facilitate that in our profession by empowering others to move better and promote exercise and better living – it gives so much satisfaction to me.”
During his time here as a student in the 3-year Doctor of Physical Therapy program, Dr. Nguyen says he made a lot of great friends and enjoyed learning from and working with the CSULB physical therapy faculty.
“I met Dr. Michael Miller in school and now he’s my resident mentor. He’s one of the biggest reasons why I decided to apply to this residency and why I am here now.”
Dr. Nguyen points out that back in 2019, while still studying to obtain his undergraduate degree at CSULB, he was an intern at PT@TheBeach.
“I shadowed the PT resident at the time, Dr. Scott Lee, and that experience really motivated me to want to pursue physical therapy. Coming back here is a big full circle moment for me -- going from a student intern, to a physical therapy student, and now I am here as the PT resident treating patients. It still feels surreal to me.”
Among the proudest aspects of the job is getting to now himself mentor students currently studying in the DPT program. Part of the one-year residency program at PT@TheBeach is helping to teach in the DPT classes. And since Nguyen has the added advantage of having just graduated spring 2024, he has fresh guidance for students on helping them navigate the program – including tips on succeeding in any given class, choosing a good clinical rotation, or just general career advice. He also helps students with specific hands-on techniques in the physical therapy practice -- he prides himself on being a movement and mobility specialist.
“I am big on movement and helping improve body function from a physical standpoint. So here at PT@TheBeach, we can treat anything from rehabilitation after an injury or surgery to just improving overall mobility in patients.”
The clinic caters to anyone but receives most of its clientele from the campus and local community. PT@TheBeach takes various insurance plans, but also provides discounted out-of-pocket rates for CSULB students, staff and faculty.
“We get a lot of referrals through Student Health Services and Long Beach State Athletics.”
Dr. Nguyen also says the unique thing about PT@TheBeach is the fact that it is housed in a gym. When entering the LifeFit Center, the Orthopedic Physical Therapy Clinic is located to the right of the main service desk. Upon making an initial assessment in the PT rooms, he has the option to use the equipment in the LifeFit Center for further assessment and training.
“You don’t get that a lot in many clinics – having a gym like LifeFit attached to the PT residency program is another thing I love about being here. Since we get to use much of the gym equipment here, the number of exercises I could prescribe to a patient is limitless. We have so many tools and I even get to work out at the gym here myself!”
Dr. Nguyen says he especially likes the feeling of being part of a team at PT@TheBeach. The uniqueness of a physical therapy clinic being on a university campus means that he has the opportunity to work with the school athletic trainers, the head coaches, the sports medicine staff, and the athletes themselves.
“We treat a lot of high-level athletes, and we provide one-on-one care to everyone.”
Another crucial part of that team, Dr. Nguyen acknowledges, is the front office staff at PT@TheBeach.
“Shoutout to Maribel Serrao because she has been a great help and support to me and does a great job managing our front office. She handles all our scheduling.
Dr. Nguyen encourages people who feel limited in their body function and movement to seek professional help from a physical therapist, and the convenience of PT@TheBeach being housed right here on campus is an excellent opportunity for anyone to come check out what all the clinic has to offer
“The range of treatments we provide at this clinic varies widely, even if it’s just a small checkup due to some minor musculoskeletal pain or stiffness – these are the type of issues physical therapy can address.”
The PT@TheBeach Clinic is housed under the College of Health and Human Services (CHHS) and is located on the CSULB campus in the LifeFit Center. In addition to CSULB students, faculty and staff, we welcome anyone in the Long Beach and surrounding communities. PT@TheBeach accepts insurance from various providers and offer cash rates for those choosing to pay out of pocket. In addition, CSULB students, staff and faculty are offered discounted rates. For more information, visit the PT@TheBeach website or email CHHS-PTBeach@csulb.edu.
