Faculty Spotlight: Aaron E. Embry

At Tufts, our faculty are committed to advancing healthcare and inspiring students to contribute meaningfully to society. Meet Aaron E. Embry, PT, DPT, PhD, MSCR, assistant professor in the Tufts DPT Boston program. Hear about why he joined the field of physical therapy and his goal to leave a positive mark on the world.

What courses do you teach?

• Neuromuscular Practice I
• Neuromuscular Practice II
• Prosthetics and Orthotics
• Professional Rights and Responsibilities 
• Therapeutic Interventions 
   

It is a pleasure to be here and share space with you all. I look forward to learning and growing with each of you for many years to come. Go Jumbos! 

— Aaron E. Embry, PT, DPT, PhD, MSCR

Why did you choose to become a Doctor of Physical Therapy?

"My pathway to becoming a physical therapist falls within one of the five main reasons anyone becomes a physical therapist. In short, I was graduating from Clemson University and had no clue what career to select with a biology degree. Graduate school was always an option, but after taking a career inventory and interest test, physical therapy was the clear winner. After some discovery and fact finding, I applied to graduate school and the rest was history. I have fallen in love with the profession and the scope of work along with our outcomes and impact on the individual and society."

What are your areas of research and why did you pick them?

"I have a history of work with stroke recovery and health disparities work, but my PhD dissertation focused on gait and balance in individuals with lower limb loss. I was fortunate to work with mentors that had a strong history of research experience and funding in a variety of topics that matched my clinical interests early in my career."

What accomplishments are you most proud of?

"I am most proud of the work that has yet to be done. While I am extremely grateful for the opportunities I have had thus far, I am trying to shift my mindset to focus forward. I believe in working collectively to advance society and leaving the world slightly better than we inherited it. If I've been fortunate enough to contribute alongside meaningful endeavors in pursuit of that goal, I view that time as truly well spent."

Why did you choose to teach at Tufts?

"Teaching at Tufts is an awesome opportunity to be a part of a team of highly qualified and progressive educators in the field of physical therapy. I have spent time in clinical care, research, and education throughout my career and this opportunity is a welcome challenge. The accelerated, hybrid model is intriguing and holds potential for transforming graduate education."

What is a piece of advice you would like to share with Tufts DPT students?

"Show up! Show up as your authentic self and be prepared to learn. Tufts does a good job of giving you as much clinically relevant information as possible in a short period of time to maximize your educational experience. Take full advantage of the time provided to you while we are together, and practice, practice, practice!"