Dr. Diaz is a licensed physical therapist in the State of California who has 7+ years of post-licensure experience in his first year as a full-time faculty member after several years in an adjunct role in various graduate and undergraduate programs. He holds a baccalaureate degree in Exercise Science, a doctoral degree in Physical Therapy, and has a PhD candidate in Leadership with an emphasis in the Health Sciences. His dissertation was titled “The Meaning Doctoral Physical Therapists Make of Their Previous Student Service-Learning Experiences with the Homeless Population”. In addition, he has a specialty certification in orthopedics. He holds the rank of assistant professor at Southern California University of the Health Sciences.

Dr. Diaz’s clinical experiences include orthopedics, aquatic therapy, vestibular, and TMJ. His expertise in orthopedics and movement science was further developed via an orthopedic residency, movement science fellowship, Movement Links Specialist certification, and dynamic neuromuscular stabilization (DNS) coursework, including a DNS Exercise Trainer certification.

Dr. Diaz’s primary teaching responsibilities have included: anatomy, service-learning, orthopedics, and therapeutic exercise.

In addition to his content expertise, Dr. Diaz has acquired/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, pain science, and movement 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 comments demonstrate an 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

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

2021 - 2023

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

2021 - 2022

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

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

2018 - 2023

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

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