Distinguished Alumnus
Alejandra Hernandez, PT, DPT, earned both her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree and Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from San Diego State University (SDSU). While at San Diego State, Dr. Hernandez used 3D motion capture and portable motion sensors to research maladaptive posture and movement patterns in individuals with chronic low back pain. Dr. Hernandez has several notable publications and poster presentations at national conferences and is currently interested in identifying movement patterns among patients with chronic low back pain.
Following graduate school, Dr. Hernandez pursued an orthopedic physical therapy residency at the University of California, San Francisco. During her residency, she served as a clinical instructor and assisted in several advanced orthopedic and anatomy courses in the UCSF/SFSU DPT program. After residency, Dr. Hernandez transitioned into the role of Assistant Clinical Professor for the UCSF/SFSU DPT program, where she helps rehabilitate patients with orthopedic injuries in the UCSF faculty practice, assists in the Advanced Orthopedic series for the first and second-year DPT students, and is a part of the Integrated Spine Service (ISS) which is a multidisciplinary, patient-centered approach to help patients manage chronic back and neck pain.
Dr. Hernandez was first introduced to physical therapy during her undergraduate career at SDSU, where she helped rehabilitate injuries her father sustained from the repetitive stressors of his work in manual labor. Dr. Hernandez is passionate about educating on the benefits of physical therapy, improving the quality of care delivered to patients, mentoring minorities interested in physical therapy, and programs advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion. Outside of the clinic, Dr. Hernandez loves to hike, run, travel, explore new coffee shops and eat chocolate (dark chocolate).
