Event Details
Date: Friday, June 20, 2025
Ceremony Begins: 5:30pm
Speakers
Ixander Correa, 2025 DPT Candidate | Student Speaker
Ixander was born and raised in Southern California, where he grew up alongside his three brothers and parents. Growing up in a Mexican household he draws inspiration from the resilience of the Latine migrant community—especially his hardworking immigrant parents, who instilled in him the values of perseverance, family, and cultural identity. Much of his childhood was spent playing with his brothers and cousins, and his passion for movement and sports was fostered through competitive soccer—ultimately leading him to a career in physical therapy. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from San Francisco State University, where he was actively involved in Hermanos Unidos, a first-generation Latine student organization. Before entering physical therapy school, Ixander gained valuable experience working as a personal trainer and an aide in an outpatient physical therapy setting, further deepening his passion for helping others maximize their physical function.
During his time at UCSF and SFSU, he became involved with the Latine community through Clínica Martín Baró. He also had the opportunity to co-lead a Spanish Medical Terminology course, where he and his colleagues taught second- and third-year PT students essential medical Spanish. His commitment to these communities aligns with his dedication to providing high-quality care for underserved populations. In his free time, Ixander enjoys being a devoted soccer enthusiast, catching Pokémon, and spending time with loved ones to stay up to date on the latest chisme.
Lisa Oei, PT, MSPT, DPT | Faculty Keynote Speaker
Born in The Netherlands, Lisa moved to the San Francisco Bay Area with her family at a young age. Initially speaking only Dutch, she quickly mastered English and discovered her passion for sports, becoming the only girl on her first-grade soccer team. She went on to earn a B.A. in European Studies with a minor in Business Administration from UC Berkeley.
Lisa’s career began in the fitness industry, but her path soon took a bold turn. She moved to Hong Kong, where she landed her dream job managing major sporting events with IMG. However, after the sudden death of her father, Lisa made a life-changing decision to shift careers. She pursued a Master of Science in Physical Therapy (MSPT) at UCSF/SFSU, where she served as Class President and received both the Distinguished Student and UC Regents Scholar awards. In 2005, Lisa completed UCSF’s first transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program.
In 2015, Lisa narrowed her focus to Parkinson’s disease, founding PD-Connect, a nonprofit organization offering education and exercise programs, all on a donation basis. Under her leadership, PD-Connect has become a vital resource for the Parkinson’s community. In 2023, she received the prestigious Jefferson Award, often referred to as the “Nobel Prize for community and public service,” in recognition of her significant contributions.
This year, Lisa celebrates PD-Connect’s 10th anniversary, marking a decade of empowering thousands within the Parkinson’s community. Alongside her nonprofit work, Lisa continues to run a private concierge physical therapy practice. She remains active in sports, enjoying soccer, practicing her foreign accents, and playing the drums.