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!

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: 

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