Noelle (they/them) is an avid soccer player and first learned about POP from a high school program that enlists volunteer coaches to help kids with disabilities play soccer. For two years, Noelle was paired with a kid who used a prosthesis, and that special experience introduced them to the life-changing career of POP. 

Fueled by this newfound passion, Noelle completed their exercise and health sciences undergraduate degree at Willamette University, followed by a master’s in orthotics and prosthetics from the University of Hartford. Having grown up in a low-income Peruvian immigrant family Noelle worked diligently throughout college to fund their education. Knowing a person’s health is affected by their social situation, Noelle also pursued a minor in sociology during undergrad to learn how to better care for their future patients. 

Currently, Noelle is completing their residency in Portland and working with So Every Body Can Move Oregon. Noelle recalls their joy in seeing a patient who drove more than two hours to the clinic to take her first strides on a running blade after being unable to run on a walking prosthesis for over ten years of her childhood. 

Noelle is thrilled to continue learning more about POP each day and collaborate with patients of all backgrounds. During their free time, Noelle tries a new sport each year, and enjoys watching Portland Thorns soccer matches