For physical therapist Emily Quinn, specializing in developmental pediatric PT was a natural career progression. As an energetic person with a special love for kids, Emily appreciates the opportunity to bring play into her patients’ daily lives, whether they are toddlers or teenagers. Additionally, she finds that pediatric care means working with a whole family unit rather than an individual, which for her, is an awesome and empowering way to spend her days in the South Hillsboro clinic. Play for Emily is not only part of her professional life, but it’s what keeps her enjoying life outside of work, too.
Q&A with Emily Quinn
Q: What inspired you to become a physical therapist?
I’m really a little bit type A, and so, when I was in high school, my sister was looking at college and what to do. And I was like, “I can start planning what I want to do. It’s not too early.” And I was like, “Oh, maybe I’ll like be a lawyer or something. I like helping people.” And then, “I can’t sit still; I can’t sit that long.” And my mom was like, “Well, your sister’s going to PT right now for her back … she really likes her PT.” And I was in biology at the time, and anything related to the human body, I was like, “This is so cool; I want to learn more.” And she was like, “You know, you really like helping people … it might be a cool way to stay connected to sport type stuff.” And I thought about it for a couple of weeks, and I was like, “Yeah, okay, that’s what I want to do.”
Q: What prompted you to pursue pediatric PT?
When I was in first-year undergrad courses, different professors came to talk about their specialties. And one of the pediatric PT professors came in talking about how it’s just like fun and games and she would play with kids all day. And I was like, “That’s really cool. I did not know you could do PT for kids and just play all day. I want to play all day.” And I had coached and stuff growing up too. And I was a camp counselor. I knew I loved kids. So I was like, “Yeah, like that’s cool. I can be with kids and play and still like learn about the human body. Like let’s do it.”
Q: What is your favorite sport to play or watch?
I grew up as a gymnast so every now and then I still love to do handstands and cartwheels. And I always love watching gymnastics when it’s on. But now that I’m older I’ve gotten a little bit into going rock climbing, I also really love to watch rock climbing. And then since I’ve moved to the Portland area, I’ve become a women’s soccer fanatic and really like to go watch the Thorns games when I can.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
One day for my bucket list, I would love to go to Southeast Asia. So, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia. And I love elephants and so I would love to go to the elephant sanctuary in Thailand.
Q: What was your most memorable vacation?
I think one of my most memorable vacations was when my parents and my sister and I went back to China when I was 11 because I was adopted from there as an infant. We went back and got to see our orphanages in our homelands. Kind of like I did a homeland tour! At my orphanage, I got to hold one of the babies, and that’s a memory I’ll always cherish. I just felt that instinctive connection, so that was really cool.
Q: How do you like to spend a day off?
My favorite way to spend a day off is to like, I mean kind of sleep in, but sleeping in for me is like seven. So like, you know, sleep in. And then, you know, probably go like to the climbing gym or something … get a quick workout in if I can. Or I’ll take a good drive if I’m feeling ambitious and I pre-planned it … Maybe go for a hike or something out in nature. I’m also a really big foodie, so probably go get something really good to eat or drink. And then if like family’s in town or something or if I have a really good friend I want to hang out with, that’s always really fun too.
Q: So, you’re a foodie. Do you have a favorite restaurant in your community?
I feel like that’s a hard question because I am such a foodie! So if I’m in for like a quick bite, I like Laughing Planet. But then I also really like sweets. So, like I’ve gone to like Doe Doughnuts in Northeast Portland and really like that. But also Pips Doughnuts. And then my roommate and I go once a month to Salt and Straw because you kind of have to living in the area.
Q: What are your hobbies outside of work?
I like to rock climb, hike and do potentially stereotypical Pacific Northwest things. But I am also really passionate about diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice work. I like to volunteer and do leadership roles within the community, and then also within the national levels for PT advocating for some of those things.
Check out some of Emily's blog posts!
Childhood Coordination: Challenges and Solutions
Coordination is necessary for activities that use both sides of the body. Difficulty with coordination may be indicative of a disorder and can lead to other health problems if not addressed. PT can help!
Movement Matters … for Everyone!
Increased physical activity helps prevent and manage illnesses, is tied to improved mental health and overall quality of life, and in kids can help other domains of development flourish.
