Puyallup

Education: 

Undergraduate: Trinity International University--B.A. in Pre-Physical Therapy
Graduate School: Mayo Clinic College of Medicine--Doctor of Physical Therapy degree

Certifications:  WCS--Women's Health Board Certified Specialist 

Clinical Specializations/Interests: Pelvic Health, Men's and Women's Health

Why I love being a PT: Being a PT is one of the most rewarding and challenging professions. I love taking the puzzle pieces of someone's individual symptoms and putting them together to create a unique plan that helps someone return to the activities they are passionate about doing. There is nothing better than seeing a patient's joy when reaching a goal!

How I stay active:  In reality, a main part of my exercise comes from keeping up with my active children. However, I do find time to run, hike, ski and snowshoe to be able to keep up with my children. 

Interests: My little bit of free time is filled with playing the piano, crocheting projects for my kids, reading mystery novels, and completing any kind of puzzle.

One word that describes me:  Unflappable

Favorite vacation spot:  Anywhere there is a sunshine and a warm beach. 

Education: 

Undergraduate: University of Montana - B.S. in Exercise Science with emphasis on Health and Human Performance and Minor in Dance  

Graduate School: University of Utah -Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT)

Certifications: N/A

Clinical Specializations/Interests: Vestibular Therapy, Balance, Orthopedics 

Why I love being a PT: There are so many reasons why I love being a PT but if I had to narrow it down, I'd say that seeing people get back to doing the activities that they have previously been unable to do is my favorite thing. Whether that is being able to get out of a chair without using their hands, negotiate the community without falling, or returning to their favorite outdoor activity and everything in between.

How I stay active: Yoga, swimming, and hiking, walking my dog Buddy, running, and lifting weights!

Interests: Dance, spending time with my friends and family, going on adventures with my husband, Alex, and doing pretty much anything in the sunshine!

One word that describes me:  Passionate

Favorite vacation spot: Maui, HI or anywhere tropical!

Undergraduate:  Bachelor's in Physiology from the University of Washington 

Graduate School:  Doctor of Physical Therapy from Baylor University 

Certifications:  Master's in Athletic Training from the University of Arkansas,  CSCS, ATC, Precision Nutrition L1  

Clinical Specializations/Interests:  Interested in Sports, Women's Health, Strength & Conditioning, performance 

Why I love being a PT: Being a Physical Therapist is about relationships; both with our clients and their relationship with their body.  I am passionate about elevating others and working with them to live their most confident, fulfilled lives. 

How I stay active:  I love lifting weights, hiking, volleyball, and walking/being pulled by my golden retriever, Griffey!  

Interests:  Travel, sports, learning, cooking, and of course, eating! 

One word that describes me:  Empowering 

Favorite vacation spot:  

New Zealand! I worked there as a nanny prior to getting my Master's degree and can't wait to go back. 

 Education: 

University of Vermont, BS in Exercise Science; University of Utah, DPT

Certifications: DPT, RYT

Clinical Specialization/Interests: I have a passion for helping people get back to doing the activities that they love to do! Whether that be getting back to playing with your grandchildren or training for your next marathon, I am happy to help you pursue your dreams! I think the brain is fascinating and have interest in working with individuals with neurological and/or vestibular disorders including CVA, Parkinson’s Disease, concussion, BPPV, and balance impairments. I also have personal interests in running, triathlon, and yoga and can relate well to athletes in these areas.

Why I love being a PT: I love helping people reconnect with and find joy in physical activity! Being active is so important to me physically and psychologically, and I want everyone to have access to their own favorite ways of being active. I love helping people to work through their musculoskeletal and return to their sport. I love helping people with physical disabilities get involved with adaptive sports and return to their favorite aspects of physical activities. I love helping older adults connect with community fitness programs or walking programs and see their true strength. And everything in between!

How I stay active: My favorite activities are running, swimming, triathlon, yoga, paddleboarding, hiking and Nordic skiing. Currently, I am training for my second marathon!

Interests:  I also love reading, baking, and traveling. I love trying out new recipes and playing around with cake decorating for any special occasion (:

One word that describes me: Thoughtful

Favorite vacation spot: Camping in the mountains with a lake!

Education: 

Associate Degree: of Science from PIMA Medical Institute

Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor of Science Physical Therapist Assistant from PIMA Medical Institute  

Certifications: LSVT BIG, Autoimmune Protocol Certified (AIP-C), currently working toward PRPC certification (pelvic floor certification)

Clinical Specializations/Interests: Men’s and Women’s Pelvic Health, Autoimmune and anti-inflammatory Nutrition.

Why I love being a PTA: Two reasons. First, I love sitting across from someone who is feeling that they are at maybe the worst moment of their life physically and emotionally and being able to say “Hey! You are not broken! There’s a solution to this”, and then being able to show them in just a few minutes how amazing and resilient they are.  And second, I love the last day I see that same person and they are looking back on that first day and realize that they really are amazing and capable of great things. That the pain is gone or that the problem is not so big anymore and they don’t need me. The look in their eyes when they realize they accomplished independence in health is huge.  

How I stay active:  I spend a lot of time at work. 😊 I enjoy spending time with my family cleaning the house while they play x-box or sleep the day away while I dream about going hiking. We do often play Cards Against Humanities, go see live concerts together and I do take my neurotic dog on walks at the off-leash “bark”. We can’t call it “the park” because it causes extreme emotional reactions on her part.

Interests: Simple things: solving world hunger one grain-free, gluten-free, refined sugar-fee cookie at a time. Eating more bacon, planning meals my kids will eat that fit into the parameters of my insane food sensitivities and allergies. Going to live punk rock shows.  Keeping my children alive and interested in school and eventually leaving home. And Bacon.

One word that describes me:  Intuitive

Favorite vacation spot: I haven’t been there yet! Iceland. I’m assuming it will be my favorite. No sand, no sun, beautiful volcano

  Education:

PIMA medical institute –PTA program

Certifications: Myofascial decompression (MFD or cupping)

Clinical Specializations/Interests: Firefighter rehab specialist (recent with central pierce program)

Why I love being a PTA:

I love being able to make an impact on people’s lives and help them return to activities they weren’t able to perform due to injury or lack of motivation. I also love the mental and physical components of physical therapy, both therapies are enmeshed so I like incorporating both into my practice as able.

How I stay active: Hiking, yoga, recently rock climbing (in a gym)

Interests: Manual photography, quality time with family/friends, training with my dog (beagle 1.5 years old), trying new things/adventures.

Trying to get more into reading, although it's a bit of a struggle to find things that keep my interest.

One word that describes me:

Caring or thoughtful

Favorite vacation spot: Outside of the country so far: Costa Rica

Inside the country: Olympic national forest

  Education: 

Green River College, Associates in Applied Science Degree: Physical Therapy Assistant Program

Certifications: 500-Hr Hatha Yoga YTT

Level 2 Reiki Practioner

Clinical Specialization/Interests: 

Orthopaedics, Neuromuscular, Sports Medicine

Why I love being a PTA: 

Being a PTA allows me to combine my passion for helping others with my knowledge of movement and rehabilitation, making a positive impact on individuals' lives as they navigate their journey towards optimal physical health. I find immense joy in collaborating with patients, their families, and the healthcare team to create personalized treatment plans that promote healing, reduce pain, and foster a sense of empowerment.

How I stay active: I stay active by practicing yoga, going for hikes with my dog, and working out at the gym. 

Interests: Yoga, chakras, nature, surfing, travel, music, and board games.

One word that describes me: Empathetic

Favorite vacation spot:

Any place where I can go surfing. I grew up in Southern California and it is always nice to go home and hit up my favorite beaches, but I have been to Hawaii, Costa Rica, and one of my favorite spots is Mexico.  

   Education: 

Undergraduate: Associate in pre-nursing from Pierce College and currently working on my B.S. in Kinesiology and minoring in exercise and sports psychology  

Why I love being a Tech: One of the best parts of my job is getting to see our patients recover and get back to doing the things that they love the most. I also love getting to interact with our patients and be their cheerleader while they're here at the clinic! 

How I stay active:   

Fast walking across my school's campus in 10 minutes so I'm not late to class (I do this for 3 out 4 classes)... I wish I was kidding! But I also love hiking and will go as often as I can! 

Interests:   

My free time consists of reading, cooking (pasta specifically), trying new restaurants, going to concerts, and going on new adventures!

One word that describes me: Determined  

Favorite vacation spot: Anywhere where there's good hiking! I've always wanted to hike in Yosemite National Park in California! 

   Education: 

Undergraduate:  Bachelor's degree of Arts in Psychology, University of Washington Tacoma 

Why I love being a PT Tech:  I love being able to put a smile on people's faces and help as many people as I can whether that be patients or coworkers alike. Helping others motivates me to learn and experience as much as I can in order to make the world a better place.  

How I stay active:  Walking in my neighborhood, working out occasionally, Hiking once in a blue moon.

Interests:  Gaming is a huge part of my life, I game on my free time and I'm always updated with new games and consoles that come out. Cooking is also very fun for me and I love learning new recipes although it can be tiring if you push yourself too far with convoluted recipes. Playing music was a huge part of my life as well so whenever I see and instrument, I'm intrigued to learn how to play it. I love animals so I pet any animal I see and come across. I love spending time with my family and tell them I love them every second I can get.

One word that describes me:  Compassionate 

Favorite vacation spot:  Steam Boat Rock/Banks Lake