Sandra Stryker, PT, MPT, COMT, FAAOMPT
Home Town: Butler, Pennsylvania

Why did you become a PT? Being a physical therapist provides me a unique opportunity to help patients recovery from a painful injury or painful state and get back to life. I consider this opportunity a true gift and take my role as manual therapist, educator, and coach seriously. I strongly believe that evidence-based, compassionate, competent physical therapy care can make a huge difference in my patient's quality of life.

What were the reasons for founding Life's Work? I wanted to create a clinical culture that would fully support the most ambitious physical therapists in their pursuit of advanced certification and expert level care our mentorship and fellowship programs allow physical therapists to develop the skills to match their desire.

Where is your career headed? I am now a fellow in the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists after completing my fellowship in orthopedic manual therapy with the North American Institute of Orthopedic Manual Therapy (NAIOMT), In 2011, I published 2 articles in peer reviewed journals on the best treatments for chronic pain and injury. I look forward to mentoring staff, starting a clinical residency program in 2012, publishing more research and continuing to improve our outcomes.

School:
BSc, The Pennsylvania State University
Master of Physical Therapy (MPT), Shenandoah University
FAAOMPT American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists 2011

Certifications:
Levels I, II,III, and IV NAIOMT certified
Certified Manual Physical Therapist (CMPT)
Certified Orthopedic Manipulative Physical Therapist (COMT)
Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists (FAAOMPT)

Memberships & Publications:
Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists
American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
APTA Orthopedic Section
APTA Women's Health Section
APTA Private Practice Section
Oregon Physical Therapy Association
Oregon Orthopedic Physical Therapy Study Group
Fear-Avoidance Beliefs and Clinical Outcomes for Patients Seeking Outpatient Physical Therapy for Musculoskeletal Pain Conditions April 2011 JOSPT
Comparison of work-related fear-avoidance beliefs across different anatomical locations with musculoskeletal pain. Journal of Pain Research August 2011

Brad Simpson, DPT, CMPT
Home Town: Oregon City

Why did you become a PT? I've always known I wanted to help people. As a Physical Therapist, I have the opportunity to make a positive impact on the quality of life of patients in every appointment. I also enjoy helping my patients to make lifestyle changes that will help them to stay healthy and active throughout their lives.

What drew you to Life's Work? Life's Work is a place with high expectations for quality patient care and outcomes. They push evidence-based practice and make it easy for me to pursue continuing education and individual growth. The atmosphere is very positive, and there is a lot of collaboration between therapists in order to offer the best possible care to our patients.

Where is your career headed? I am finishing a fellowship program in manual therapy through the North American Institute of Orthopedic Manual Therapy (NAIOMT), and which will be completed in July 2012. I finished my Level III testing within NAIOMT in 2010, earning my certification as a manual physical therapist (CMPT) with distinction. I also enjoy teaching, working as an adjunct professor at Pacific University in spinal and peripheral orthopedics since 2008, and I am now a clinical instructor for PT students in their final clinical rotation since 2012.

What do you like to do when not at work? I enjoy spending time with my wife, Tiffany, hiking, travel, playing sports, and camping.

School:
BSc in Exercise and Sports Science, Oregon State University, 2002
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), Pacific University, 2005

Certifications:
NAIOMT Levels I, II certified
NAIOMT Level III certified with distinction
Certified Manual Physical Therapist (CMPT)

Memberships:
American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
APTA Sports Physical Therapy Section
Oregon Physical Therapy Association
Oregon Orthopedic Physical Therapy Study Group

Sarah Gross, DPT
Home Towns:
Venice Beach, CA
Eugene, OR

Why did you become a PT? I wanted to spend my working time helping people achieve their life goals and found that physical therapy incorporated both physical and mental wellbeing with a holistic approach.

What drew you to Life's Work? The opportunity to work with high level clinicians with big hearts, outstanding manual skills, top notch clinical reasoning, and a focus on patient education and empowerment.

Where is your career headed? Please see above! I've started the NAIOMT training because I want to be able to help the people that no one else has been able to help.

What do you like to do when not at work? I enjoy playing volleyball, hiking and backpacking, indoor soccer, and music.

School:
BA in Psychology, University of Puget Sound
Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT), Pacific University

Certifications:
Level I NAIOMT certified

Memberships:
American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
APTA Orthopedic Section
Oregon Physical Therapy Association
Oregon Orthopedic Physical Therapy Study Group

Kathryn Toner, DPT
Home Town: St. Louis, MO

Why did you become a PT? I have always been active in sports and strong in the sciences during school. I started to career shadow in high school at the suggestion of my mom. I enrolled my freshman year of college with Physical Therapy as my intended major. The more I had experience with this profession, the more I loved it and knew that it was everything that I wanted in a career. I have had the opportunity work with a variety of people, helping them to feel better by decreasing their pain and improving their movement and daily function. I now have a challenging and fulfilling career that allows me to make a positive impact in people’s lives.

What drew you to Life's Work? I wanted to work in a place that stimulated me to become a better therapist. LWPT has a unique and genuine desire to provide and encourage continuing education in many ways. I think that our focus on education, coupled with the amount of one-on-one treatment time truly gives top quality care to patients. Also, the staff here is fun and efficient to work with.

Where is your career headed? I intend to complete NAIOMT certification to further sharpen my skills in manual therapy.

What do you like to do when not at work? I am new to Oregon, so my fiancée, our dog, and I are still exploring all that Portland and all that the Northwest has to offer. We enjoy finding new restaurants, trails for hiking, and roads for biking. I keep a running notebook of any and all suggestions that I get because someday we are going to do it all!

School:
BS, Health Related Professions, University of Missouri-Columbia
Masters, of Physical Therapy, Shenandoah University
Doctor of Physical Therapy, Shenandoah University

Memberships:
American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
APTA Women's Health Section
Oregon Physical Therapy Association
Oregon Orthopedic Physical Therapy Study Group