Dr. Raiszadeh’s passion for non-operative treatment started by realizing that many patients undergoing surgery for neck or back pain were not getting their desired long-term results.

After completing undergraduate studies at UC Berkeley, Dr. Raiszadeh completed medical school at UC San Francisco, an orthopedic surgery residency at UC Davis, and his Pediatric and Adult Spine Fellowship at the Hospital for Joint Diseases/NYU in New York City. He has 20 years of experience with a broad range of spine surgery including minimally invasive surgery, complex spinal disorders such as scoliosis and kyphosis, and cervical spine disorders. During these 20 years he has noticed a dramatic increase in patients turning to surgery for treatment of neck and low back pain, but many of them not getting their desired long-term results. He, therefore, became increasingly interested in the improvement and standardization of non-operative treatment. By developing the best aspects of non-operative treatment in an atmosphere of empowerment to maximize the body’s own healing capacity, he noticed that many fewer patients required surgery, and the ones who underwent surgery had much better long-term results.

Kian Raiszadeh, MD spent 6 years at Kaiser Permanente’s Sports Medicine department at the San Marcos Medical Center. As a Physician In Charge, Kian specialized in sports medicine.

He spent 5 years teaching advanced open and arthroscopic shoulder and knee techniques to the Kaiser sports medicine fellows. Kian always had entrepreneurial aspirations and they became a reality when he founded a software company to address some of the problems in health care. It soon became clear that leaving Kaiser to join forces with his brother at SpineZone was the right strategy to bring both of their goals to fruition. Kian continues to operate several days every month to keep his skills sharp.

Kian is a proud UC Berkeley graduate who completed medical school at UC San Diego. He also has been a two-time Team Captain on the UC Berkeley Tennis team and has reached the Division 1 NCAA finals in 1995 and 1998.

Lissa graduated from San Diego State University with a degree in Kinesiology: Athletic Training and then obtained her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Saint Augustine.

As a Certified Athletic Trainer, Lissa has worked with over 23 intercollegiate sports programs including UCSD’s 2011 NCAA Women’s National Softball Champions. She has also been involved with the rehabilitation of professional cyclists, nationally ranked tennis players, and Olympic hopefuls. Lissa has worked with SpineZone for over 7 years and continues to enjoy working with athletes, JiuJitsu competitors, and weekend warriors, while also helping people meet their physical therapy goals. In her spare time, Lissa enjoys hiking, traveling, and Brazilian jiujitsu.

Frank’s background includes over 20 years of health care management and business development experience, including ambulatory care settings and web-based business services.

He also has 8 years of experience in the planning, design, and implementation of comprehensive spine centers of excellence. These centers are in multiple locations including New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Virginia, Louisiana, New Mexico, and South Dakota.

Frank has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Delaware and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Southern California.

In his spare time, Frank can be found hiking in San Diego’s backcountry.

Tim has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona and a master’s degree from Indiana University.

Tim’s forty-five years of experience in fitness includes serving as Director of Strength Training and Conditioning at the United States Military Academy which included involvement in the initial clinical research of the value of strengthening machines in spine rehabilitation with Arthur Jones (founder of Nautilus and MedX), developing the preventive medicine component at the Hughston Clinic in Georgia, founding and operating Personally Fit, Inc. in Rancho Santa Fe and Rancho Bernardo for twenty years, and working as a clinical exercise physiology consultant for SpineZone since 2008.

In his spare time, you can find Tim working out, fishing, or playing golf.

Pam’s background includes over 20 years of experience in the healthcare and spine industry. She specializes in practice optimization and has developed an in-depth knowledge of business operations and revenue cycle management. Pam honorably served in the United States Army for six years where she attended the Academy of Health Sciences.

In her spare time she enjoys reading and spending time with family, friends, and her dogs.

Amalia has over 15 years of patient care experience.

Amalia enjoys going shopping and spending time with her husband and two daughters.

Alyssa Crawford was born and raised in California. She studied at the Art Institute of San Diego for her Bachelor’s Degree in Photography. She has two years of experience working at a Pediatric Office in the Billing Department.

In her free time, Alyssa likes to spend her days hiking, practicing her photography, painting, and spending time with her family, friends, and her 3 fur babies.

Alvona holds degrees in Integrated Marketing Communications from Emerson College and Business Administration from Syracuse University. She also holds a Physical Therapist Assistant degree from Concorde Career College. She has been a certified personal trainer and group exercise instructor for over 7 years.

Alvona moved to San Diego from Boston and has traveled all over the world…all 7 continents to be exact! She enjoys singing, dancing, traveling, and working out.

Benito graduated from California State University Fullerton receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology with a concentration in Clinical Exercise Science. He continued his education at Concorde Career College in Garden Grove, earning his Associate’s Degree in Physical Therapy Assistant.

He has worked in the Allied Health, Fitness, and Wellness space for over a decade as a personal trainer, a physical therapy aide, and currently, a physical therapist assistant. He has had the opportunity to experience physical therapy in acute, home health, and outpatient orthopedic settings.

When not in clinic, Benito likes mountain biking, paddleboarding, surfing, and volunteering for nonprofit dog rescues.

Caitlin Gibson graduated with her Master’s in Athletic Training and Bachelor’s in Exercise Science from Saint Louis University. Caitlin played Division 1 field hockey. She has worked in a wide variety of clinical settings ranging from high schools, colleges, gyms, and overseas in Scotland.

Caitlin believes in providing her patients education on their injuries, along with steps to take to better themselves long-term as well as to prevent future injury. In her free time, she likes to run, go to the beach, and take spin classes.

After spending most of his life growing up in Northern California, Chris moved to Southern California where he graduated from UC Irvine and loved it so much he ended up staying. He didn’t know what he wanted at first and ended up being a personal trainer for a while. He then realized he loved rehabilitating patients and helping them achieve their goals as well as guiding them through a lifelong process of health and exercise. He then pursued a career in therapy and graduated from Stanbridge University in 2015.

Chris is a Physical Therapist Assistant as well as a NASM-certified CES trainer. If you can’t find him at the gym, you’ll find Chris with his special wife hiking with his two sons, Simba (the golden retriever) and Obi-Wan Kenobi (the Pomeranian)!

Cole graduated from Cal State University Fullerton with a BS in Athletic Training. He has worked in a variety of clinical settings, including physical therapy and also high school and collegiate athletics.

Cole values educating his patients about their bodies, the nature of their injuries, and the steps that are necessary for healing. His future career goals include obtaining a Doctorate in Physical Therapy.

In his free time, Cole enjoys running, weight training, surfing, and watching a good movie.

Madison is a San Diego native with 5+ years of relevant human resources experience. She has her certification through UC San Diego in Human Resources Management and associate degrees in both Communication and Social and Behavioral Sciences. She is most passionate about employee engagement, learning and development, diversity and inclusion, and purpose-driven organization.

In her free time, Madison enjoys performing (singing) at local venues, writing, surfing, and running!

Josy Rivera is an experienced HR Professional with 5+ years of demonstrated history of working in the HR Industry.

Josy enjoys outdoor fun including bike riding, hiking, and soaking up the sun at the beach.

Jeanette graduated from CSUF with a degree in Business Administration with concentration in Finance and Accounting. Jeanette started her career as an Accounting Manager in a medical device/spine company where she eventually was promoted to a controller. She has grown professionally and personally in the spine industry for nearly 12 years, facilitating growth and structure by exuding strong mentorship and leadership skills.

A San Diego native, she enjoys spending time with her family by cooking, painting, singing, and drawing. She is passionate about helping people, organizing events, and- of course- fashion and makeup. Jeanette has three children: Star, Christopher and Sky. Her beautifully blended family just recently moved into their new home in San Marcos/Escondido.

Emily was born and raised in Portland, OR. She received her bachelor’s degree at Scripps College, and completed her Doctorate at Western University of Health Sciences for Physical Therapy in 2016.

She has experience working with a variety of patients including athletes, disabled children and inpatient neuro rehab. She seeks to continue to learn relevant and evidence based treatments/interventions, and hopes to provide an individualized program to address each patient’s needs.

Emily enjoys trips to the northwest to visit family and friends. Living in Orange County, she frequents Angel’s games, Disneyland, the beach and any place that has great food. She stays active by running with her dog Huck and working out at the gym.

Evan graduated from CSU Long Beach in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Exercise Science. After working 10 years in the field as a physical therapy aide, he wanted to keep building on this foundation and growing in his passion. This led him to finish his Associate of Science Degree in Physical Therapy Assistant from Stanbridge University in Irvine, CA in 2017.

In May of 2018, Evan made his way back to his hometown of San Diego to join the SpineZone family and continue his journey in healthcare.

When Evan isn’t working in the clinic, he spends his free time breakdancing, training in the martial arts, surfing, and volunteering in various medical mission work with the San Diego Executive Lions Club.

Ivania graduated from Ultimate Medical Academy for Medical Billing and Coding with honors and was at the top of her class in September 2014. She also earned her Associate’s Degree in Health Science. While still in school she worked as a full time billing specialist for a pediatric office where she was able to put her knowledge and skills to work while at the same time gaining much needed experience.

As a full time mother and wife, she managed to get through school and keep a full time work schedule. Currently she is employed with SpineZone and is so grateful to be a part of this team. The opportunity for growth here is endless and she has found a new family with SpineZone.

When Ivania is not working she enjoys spending time with her family. They are not a very busy family but quiet moments are the best for her.

Born and raised in Barcelona where he got his degrees in Marketing and Music Business, Alex worked for more than ten years as an Operations Coordinator, supplying the cruise ships that stopped at the port. He moved to San Diego in 2016, where he has worked in marketing for a real estate company, and as the creative person for a music non-profit organization.

Dealing with people from different backgrounds and cultures has been a common ingredient throughout his career. Alejandro is also a musician, a filmmaker, and a passionate traveler.

Janny Concha Urday Zaa earned her Doctorate degree of Physical Therapy from Northwestern University in Chicago, IL in 2014. She is originally from Peru and has also lived in Hong Kong and India. Prior to moving to San Diego, she worked for an inpatient hospital and outpatient clinic in Arizona. She has experience working with patients throughout all levels of care.

She has a passion for physical therapy because it aims at enabling clients to return to the activities they love.

Janny is also a Clinical Instructor and Mentor to current physical therapy students, as well as students interested in physical therapy as a professional career. She understands that education is an ongoing process and the key to successfully treating a variety of diagnoses, and as such continues to supplement her education with courses, research articles, and webinars.

Her hobbies include CrossFit, dancing, trying new restaurants, and road trips.

Kimberly is known for her love and dedication to helping people, which is one of the reasons she is going back to school in order to pursue a career in the medical field.

Outside of work, Kim enjoy going to the beach, adventures in nature, and spending time with her loved ones.

Originally, Lily grew up in Southeast Asia before moving to San Diego as a young adult. Since then, she has been involved in working in several different fitness centers in the health and wellness industry.

She is always striving to help patients in rehabilitation to restore function through better movement. Lily had the opportunity to work with geriatric clients teaching balance, strengthening, and fall prevention classes. During this time Lily had a better understanding that she could help people in a greater capacity by going back to school.

Lily graduated with honors from San Diego Mesa College with a degree in Physical Therapist Assistant. Being able to help people have a better quality of life has always been her passion.

Luis studied Journalism at SUNY University in Albany, New York while minoring in music. He then went to complete his Physical Therapist Assistant program at Nassau Community College in New York.

Luis has worked in an outpatient setting in Brooklyn, New York where he helped manage the clinic prior to relocating to San Diego. He enjoys working closely with patients who have had neurological diagnoses, especially Parkinson’s disease, and MS. Luis has a passion for sports and music. He is a musician on the side, playing cello, guitar, and drums, while also maintaining cello students in New York via FaceTime lessons.

Luis Pretalia graduated Cum Laude from the California State University San Marcos in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology and a minor in Chemistry. Aspiring to become a physical therapist, Luis also works as a personal trainer at LA Fitness and is studying to get into graduate school.

Luis is a San Diego native who enjoys fitness, music, and going to the beach!

After realizing he wanted to help people heal themselves in a more holistic and natural way, Mike decided to pursue a career in physical therapy and graduated from Loma Linda University in 2014 with an AS – Physical Therapist Assistant degree. Since then, he’s enjoyed getting to know and help people from all walks of life get back to their everyday lives.

In his free time, he enjoys playing guitar, staying active with exercise, traveling, and just hanging out with friends. On occasion, he also likes to go salsa dancing or participate in a fun 5k obstacle course.

Nate comes to us all the way from Massachusetts! In high school, Nate was a Division I recruit for cross country and was ranked top 25 in the state before years of injuries and surgeries cut his running career short.

As a recovering athlete, he experienced many of the shortcomings of other physical therapy and healthcare offices. “Playing sports and competing was my way of feeling accepted and I felt like there was a disconnect between my goals and how I was handled by surgeons, therapists, etc.”
After graduating Colby-Sawyer College in 2015, Nate became a physical therapy aide for a local office in Rhode Island and an assistant personal training director at an LA Fitness. At this time, he also picked up a position working at his town’s animal shelter. This wasn’t for money, but rather an excuse to play with animals. He currently works as a personal trainer where he’s an educator and teaches others how to train and live a healthier lifestyle.

He uses his shortcomings and experiences as an athlete to help clients persevere through challenges and adversity. Nate is working on becoming a strength and conditioning specialist and hopes to continue helping people live pain-free and healthier lives.

Jill’s background includes over 20 years in the healthcare industry. She has spent time on both the clinical side and the business development side. Her passion is in creating lifelong relationships and in always doing what is best for the patients and her referrals sources.

Jill has a bachelor’s degree from SDSU with a focus on Sports Medicine. In her spare time, Jill likes to spend time with her family (her husband, three kids, and new son-in-law) and her dogs (one pup is a certified therapy dog). Jill is also a certified adaptive ski instructor and enjoys encouraging her patients to hit the snow!

For more than 14 years Sachi has been working in the health and wellness industry, having roles supporting electronic medical records, biotech, R&D, and holistic health e-commerce. Working with SpineZone gives her the ability to bring together her passion for health and wellness, prior technical experience, and background in functional design principles to help lead product development.

When she isn’t working, you can find Sachi surfing the best local breaks with her husband. She also enjoys art, hiking, dance, her puppy, and her nieces.

Jeannie graduated from California State University Fullerton with a B.S in Kinesiology and earned her Physical Therapist Assistant Degree from Stanbridge University.

After undergrad, Jeannie spent time exploring the various fields in health care and became a PT aide in orthopedic and sports at St. Jude Centers for Rehabilitation and Wellness. She also used that time to volunteer at the Cognitive Rehab Center and Medical Fitness Department at St. Jude CRW. She completed her clinical rotations in outpatient orthopedics, SNF, and outpatient/inpatient neurological rehab. Following PTA school, Jeannie worked in an outpatient wellness center along with chiropractors, acupuncturists, LMTs, and other outpatient orthopedic clinicians with post-op, neurological, sports-related injuries, and acute/chronic pain diagnoses. Additionally, Jeannie worked at St. Jude CRW as a special population instructor encouraging clients of a diverse population (Parkinson’s- Let’s Be Big, bone builders, arthritis, pool therapy) on the importance of healthy living and exercise. In her free time, Jeannie loves to play with her baby pug Larry, stay active with exercise, garden in her new home, explore various National Park camping sites, and enjoy river adventures with her friends.

Jaymee N. Rivera was born and raised in the beautiful city of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Jaymee found herself joining the U.S Navy shortly after graduating from high school. There she found her passion for helping others and decided to pursue her career as a Physical Therapist Assistant after being Honorably Discharged from the Navy. She earned her Associate’s Degree in Physical Therapist Assistant at Concorde Career College and is currently working on pursuing her bachelor’s in the same field.

When not in the clinic, she enjoys traveling, going on road trips, and free diving in the summer months.

Gabby is a certified athletic trainer from Delaware. She received her Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from Towson University in 2017. She has had the pleasure of working with both outpatient physical therapy patients as well as high school and collegiate sports athletes. A majority of her experience is from working with general orthopedic and sports-related injuries. She really enjoys motivating people to help reach their functional goals and making them feel better than they did before meeting her.

In her free time, she enjoys long hikes and even longer naps on the beach.

Vidhi completed her Bachelor’s in Physical Therapy from India in 2013. She is currently enrolled in the Masters of Healthcare Informatics program at the University of San Diego.

In her free time, she enjoys cooking, baking for family & friends, dancing, and doing small DIY projects with her son.

I am an India-born American who grew up in Nairobi, Kenya. I graduated from Manipal University in India with a Bachelor of Physical Therapy Degree in 2010. After completing BPT, I moved back to Nairobi where I worked as a Physical Therapist at Faraja Cancer Support, a non-profit charity for cancer patients.

After relocating to the USA, I pursued post-baccalaureate studies to be eligible for a Physical Therapy Assistant license. While obtaining a PTA license, I worked as a Physical Therapy Aide at Pegasus Physical Therapy. After being licensed since February 2017, I worked at Able Physical Therapy Corp, an outpatient and aquatic rehabilitation facility.

In my free time, I like to bake, swim, explore new places, and hang out with family and friends.

Beth graduated from the University of Iowa with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science as well as Iowa State University with a bachelor’s degree in dietetics. She completed her dietetic internship at The Ohio State University. As a Registered Dietitian, Beth has a passion for empowering patients through nutrition to live their happiest and healthiest lives. She believes that food and nutrition should add joy to life, not take away from it. Beth has experience in sports nutrition, women’s health nutrition, and nutrition for chronic disease prevention.

Beth enjoys spending time with her husband and cat as well as hiking, reading, cooking, drinking coffee, and making to-do lists.

Ameetha has spent the last 20 years as a serial entrepreneur in developing comprehensive software solutions for service industries – particularly in the education technology space. Ameetha leads the product strategy for the company to support the in-clinic and online implementation of the SpineZone Solution. She has overseen the development of data-driven improvement systems for curriculum, instruction, and assessments that provided actionable data to achieve measurable outcomes for practitioners and learners. Her passion is to help people become more efficacious in their work by providing technology and data that supports rather than supplants the human touch.

During her free time, Ameetha enjoys walking and training her sighthounds and also volunteers with the local greyhound rescue in San Diego. She is a graduate of UC Berkeley and got her doctorate at Brandeis University.

Rossana graduated from UC Irvine with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Health Sciences. After earning her degree, she worked as a physical therapy aide for 6 years at an outpatient orthopedic clinic. During this time, she developed a passion for physical therapy which led her to further her education. Rossana then graduated with honors from Concorde Career College where she received a Physical Therapist Assistant degree.

When she is not working as a PTA, she enjoys cycling, traveling with her friends and family, and being outdoors with her 2 dogs (Berry and Barley).

Brittany was originally born in Anaheim but mainly raised in Northern California due to her father being in the Coast Guard. She recently moved to San Diego to be closer to family. Brittay graduated from Empire School of Business in Santa Rosa, California with a diploma in Clinical Medical Assisting. She worked in a family practice clinic for the last five years, starting off as Medical Assistant, as well as helping in other departments that needed additional support, then transferring to the Referrals Specialty Department for Specialty Clinics. Brittany is always interested and willing to help, which was her main reason for wanting to join the medical field. Eventually she would love to go back to school to become a labor and delivery nurse or physical therapist.

In her free time she loves to always be busy and always on the go either to the movies or live concerts, and most of all spending time with family, friends, and her two dogs, Louie and Mila.

Ryan graduated from Colorado State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Health and Exercise Science – Sports Medicine in 2014 and obtained his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from The University of St. Augustine in 2019. Ryan’s physical therapy journey has given him experience in multiple outpatient orthopedic clinics, where he discovered his passion for the spine and he hopes that his experiences will be an asset to the SpineZone team.

Ryan hopes to further his career by becoming a clinical instructor where he may help future students find their passion for physical therapy. Ryan is originally from Colorado, where he developed his love for hockey, football, and the outdoors. He achieved the rank of Captain in the U.S. Army Reserves where he served a total of 8 years. He loves watching hockey, running outdoors, and relaxing on Sundays with his wife and their cat, Charlie.

After graduating with her Master’s in Social Work from Columbia University, Angela has worked with substance use disorders in inpatient, outpatient and private practice settings. She has specialized in working with veterans and first responders, as well as those suffering from chronic pain and complex dependence. She is passionate about working with others to improve their health and live with integrity and joy.

When not working, Angela enjoys playing with her children. She also has a slight gardening problem.

Sana earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Therapy in 2006 and her passion for rehabilitation of various orthopedic conditions inspired her to graduate with her Master’s in Physical Therapy (Orthopedics) in 2008.

Her research projects were based on Isokinetic concentric/eccentric strengthening and biomechanics of gait. She has been asked to present papers on these projects at national seminars. She has experience in varied clinical settings and strives for evidence-based practice which has been a driving force for her to join SpineZone as we follow the same philosophy. She has a comprehensive treatment approach that relies heavily on patient education, clinical experience, biomechanics, and strengthening programs.

Sana enjoys traveling, biking, running, badminton, and spending time with her family.

Sarah Magnuson earned both her Associate of the Arts (2011) and Associate in Applied Science – Physical Therapist Assistant (2013) degrees from Lake Superior College in Duluth, Minnesota, with honors in both.

While attending college she also enjoyed training for and competing in triathlons, and creating pottery. She then moved to Southern California to pursue her career… and to escape the cold northern Minnesota winters. In her free time, Sarah enjoys creating art, being active, spending time with friends and family, being outdoors, and traveling.

Valeria graduated from San Diego State University in 2020 with a BS in Kinesiology.

She was born and raised in San Diego but enjoys traveling. She loves spending time with her family and friends. In her free time you can probably find her trying out new coffee shops and going to Padres games.

Sophia graduated from San Diego State University with a degree in Kinesiology: Pre Physical Therapy in 2016 and obtained her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from San Diego State University in 2019. Sophia is a freshly minted Physical Therapist with experience in a skilled nursing facility over the past year and in multiple outpatient clinics. Her interest lies in outpatient care and she’s looking forward to being an asset to the SpineZone team, where she hopes to continue her career goal of being an outpatient orthopedic-oriented physical therapist.

During Sophia’s clinical rotations at San Diego State’s DPT program, Sophia took a strong interest in outpatient orthopedics during her rotation at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in La Jolla. There she experienced a multitude of veterans living a life of chronic neck and back pain and pain associated with these conditions. This rotation sparked her interest in the challenging effects of neck and back pain and methods of resolving patient’s chief complaints. She hopes to continue growing in her career by becoming a clinical Instructor and assisting future physical therapist students to love this field as much as she does, as well as volunteering with the veteran community that is at large in San Diego. In the future, Sophia looks forward to obtaining her CSCS and CKTP. Sophia was born and raised in sunny San Diego and enjoys delving in all that San Diego offers in her spare time. Sophia enjoys being with friends and family, playing with her dog, and working out… but she also enjoys as many sweets as possible.

With 6 years of healthcare experience, Alicia began her career at a chiropractic practice in Texas. Over time, she has gained a wealth of knowledge in billing, insurance, and patient relations. When she moved to California in 2020, she joined the Spinezone team as a Patient Service Representative and quickly became a PS Lead. In her tenure with Spinezone she has worked hard to better understand medical billing and has begun a Billing Specialist position.

Outside the office you can find Alicia spending time with her husband, daughter, and 2 huskies. She loves to watch LSU football (Geaux Tigers!) and can also be found at the archery range on the weekend.

Takeshi is a Los Angeles native who earned his Doctorate at the New York Institute of Technology in New York. Now that he is back in California, he is ready to set down roots and begin his career. He has a strong foundation in rehabilitation of orthopedic and neurological conditions which thrives off of his passion to help others and improve their livelihood.

In Takeshi’s free time, he enjoys exercising daily to stay healthy and fit. Being a big sports fan, he attends Lakers and Dodgers games with friends as much as possible. He also enjoys traveling to tropical areas and warm beaches for rest and relaxation.

I graduated from Voorhees College, receiving my Bachelor’s Degree in Health and Recreation. I soon after entered the United States Navy. During my tenure in the military, I was able to complete the prerequisites needed to apply for the Physical Therapist Assistant Program. After being honorably discharged, I continued my education at Concorde Career College, earning my Associates’s degree in Physical Therapist Assistant.

When not in the clinic, I’m obtaining my Personal Trainer and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist certificate. I enjoy hiking, basketball, softball, and all volunteering opportunities.

Melissa grew up in San Diego and graduated with honors from Pima Medical Institute in San Marcos, CA. She comes from a work background of restaurant management and corporate operations. She moved to Kauai where she realized she was not fulfilled in her career and made the decision to move back to California. She then decided to go back to school to become a Physical Therapist Assistant.

Her passion to help others better themselves was a driving force in this decision, as she was on the receiving end of physical therapy herself years ago. Outside of work she enjoys lifting weights, bouldering, cooking, hiking, and spending time with her friends and family.

Paul is from Nashville, Tennessee, and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology from the University of Tennessee Knoxville. He then went on to complete his Doctorate of Physical Therapy program at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga and has several certifications: MDT Parts A-D, SFMA, FMS, TPI

Paul is a board-certified Sports Clinical Specialist, with experience in outpatient sport and orthopedics with high school, collegiate, and professional athletes. Paul has worked with athletics, vestibular dysfunction, and concussion, as well as spine specialization in Athens, Georgia. His passion for patient empowerment and education is his primary method of helping people understand and improve their pain to keep them moving to their fullest ability. Paul enjoys working out, sports, outdoor activities, and good food.

Megan Rose grew up in San Diego. She graduated from Northern Arizona University in 2016 with a degree in public relations and a minor in photography.

After working in the hotel industry for a few years she discovered her love for fitness and physical therapy which led her to pursuing a career in the field. She graduated from the PTA program at Concorde Career College-San Diego in 2021, which then led her to start her career at Spinezone.

Layla Magana is a San Diego Native. She has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Arizona State University.

She has experience working in healthcare administration. She enjoys spending time with her husband, her two sons, and her French bulldog.

Teresa earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sports Medicine and Athletic Training from Missouri State University and became a certified athletic trainer in 2012. She then went on to receive her Master’s Degree in Sports Training and Nutrition from the Universidad Europea de Madrid, where she took advantage of the opportunity to become fluent in Spanish and travel around Europe.

Before recently relocating to San Diego, she worked for a physical therapy company in Seattle as an athletic training lead in the sports medicine department. While most of her career has focused on athletes, she enjoys working with patients of all types, and is passionate about making physical therapy a fun and rewarding experience.

Teresa believes patient education and empowerment are paramount to successful rehabilitation.

In her free time, she enjoys hanging out at the beach, traveling, learning new languages, and going to rugby games.

Jessie Nguyen is fortunate to have been born and raised in San Diego, CA. He graduated from Cal State University of San Marcos with a B.S. in Kinesiology Pre-Physical Therapy in 2016 and received his Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) with high honors at the University of Saint Augustine for Health Sciences also in San Marcos, CA. He is passionate about helping others become the best version of themselves and is always striving to become the best clinician possible. He has a strong foundation in the rehabilitation of orthopedic and neurological conditions. He has been working in the physical therapy field since high school with vast experience from many different clinics and settings such as aquatic therapy, stroke rehab, hand therapy, vestibular rehab, fall-proof training, and manual therapy.

In his free time, he enjoys going to the gym, snowboarding, hiking, practicing martial arts, mountain biking, running with his husky, surfing, modifying cars, listening to music, traveling to different countries, playing sports, spending time with family/friends, and being outdoors.

Teri Adler is a recent graduate from Stanbridge University with her Associate of Science Degree as a Physical Therapist Assistant. She moved from San Diego to Orange County 5 years ago. During the transition, she worked as an aide for 4 years and fell in love with physical therapy.

In her free time, Teri loves to travel, go to the beach, hike, box, and paddle board.

Tess is originally from Visalia California and has made San Diego her home for the past 8 years. Tess graduated from the Physical Therapist Assistant program at San Diego Mesa College in 2018. She has a 5-year background in Pilates and her passion for core stabilization is what drew her to begin her career at SpineZone.

She is an advocate for all different aspects of health and believes that recovery is based upon providing adequate physical, mental, and nutritional support for her patients.

Tiffany graduated from the University of California San Diego with a B.S in General Biology and received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree with high honors at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in San Marcos, CA. She has taken numerous continuing education courses within the Institute of Physical Art® (IPA), such as Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF), CoreFirst Strategies® (CFS), and Functional Mobilization (FM I). She continues to supplement her education through professional conferences, webinars and Con Ed courses.

Tiffany is passionate about assisting patients to restore their function and mobility to get them back to their fullest potential. She has a passion for treating orthopedic and chronic pain populations and is excited to continue her career with SpineZone. Tiffany hopes to pursue future career options by becoming an APTA Board Certified Specialist in orthopedics and by completing her Manual Therapy Certification (MTC). She is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), the Orthopedic Section of the APTA, and its California Chapter. She is also a certified NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with friends, biking, and visiting National Parks. She is a self-proclaimed foodie and loves cooking, as well as trying new restaurants.

Valerie moved to California from Jacksonville, FL in 2017. She graduated from the University of North Florida with a degree in History in 2012. She previously worked at a chiropractic office as a Registered Chiropractic Assistant for 6 years while finishing her degree.

In her free time, Valerie enjoys spending time outside with her husband, daughter, and 2 fur babies.

Victor earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy in May of 2018 from the New York Institute of Technology.

Victor is dedicated to providing the highest quality of care to patients while treating them with compassion and kindness.

During his time in New York, he focused on gaining experience in treating neurological and orthopedic conditions. After shadowing the SpineZone team, Victor immediately knew their mission aligned with his core values and SpineZone was where he could fulfill his passion as a physical therapist. A native Californian, Victor is proud to be back and begin his career at SpineZone where he will be able to use evidence-based practice and the knowledge he has gained in previous clinics to help patients improve their quality of life.

Aside from work, Victor likes to spend his free time with his family, significant other, friends, and dog. He enjoys staying active with a variety of activities including mixed martial arts, snowboarding, weight lifting, and hiking.

Annette has worked in the healthcare profession for over 15 years. She loves serving patients and working with talented medical staff.

During her elementary years she lived on the island of Guam where she developed her love of the ocean, learned about other cultures, and enjoyed different types of food. In her free time, she can be found enjoying the outdoors with her family, dancing with her kiddos, and reading a good book. She is excited to be part of the team!

Elizabeth is a Cal State Fullerton graduate in the Health Science Field. She enjoys working in the medical field and wishes to grow in it, as well as help those in need the best way she can.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and two dogs, Kitana and Raiden. She also likes spending time outdoors camping and hiking.

After graduating with her Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Anthropology from The University of Santa Barbara, California, Lara has worked in multiple research areas which enables her nuanced and balanced approach to data collection and analysis.

In her free time, Lara enjoys baking, hiking, and playing the piano.

Matthew earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree from Marymount University in Arlington, VA and his undergraduate degree from George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. Prior to his recent move to San Diego, he worked in the Bay Area and also in Virginia in the orthopedic setting. He has participated in balance research and has experience in vestibular, neurological, and post-concussion treatment. Matthew has a passion for physical therapy through empowering patients to take control of their rehab and return to what they love to do. His hobbies include soccer, traveling, TV, and movies.

My name is Maria Gomez and I am currently a patient service representative at SpineZone. It is my greatest pleasure to be part of a fantastic team that loves helping patients as much as I do.

My hometown is here in Santa Ana, CA and I am proud to be part of my community as a health care worker. I have been in the medical field since 2015, graduating from Career College of California. Previously I was part of a pediatrics medical front office with billing & coding where I gained great experience. Overall, my experiences in the medical field have always made me happy since at the end of the day I know I tried my best to make patients happy in their health journey.

As for my life outside of work, I love spending quality time with my family creating new memories. I enjoy cooking many different recipes and I am always learning something new to cook. In my free time, I enjoy walks with my family around my neighborhood.

Jenny Ross, PT, DPT received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from San Diego State University where she participated in research on pain modulation in chronic spine pain populations, as well as authored an abstract on kinesiophobia in chronic knee pain in active duty military personnel. At this time she also conductied research in the biomechanics lab at the Extremity Trauma and Amputation Center of Excellence at Naval Medical Center San Diego. Her doctoral education emphasized manual, biomechanical, and functional assessment and treatment spanning various ages and pathologies. Her clinical experience has primarily been in-depth orthopedic and sport-specific outpatient treatment in land-based and aquatic settings. Additional clinical experience includes school-based pediatric PT, geriatric PT at a skilled nursing facility, and polytrauma rehab PT at the Comprehensive Combat and Complex Casualty Care at Naval Medical Center San Diego.

Prior to SDSU, she received her bachelor’s degrees in economics and in political science with an emphasis on international relations from the University of California, San Diego. While at UCSD, she played on the university women’s club soccer team for four years. After graduation, she worked as an economic analyst for five years before changing her career to be a physical therapist, where her professional life dovetailed with her passion and joy for movement. When she is not practicing physical therapy, she spends her time rock climbing, playing beach volleyball, or traveling.

Andy Hobbs is an experienced marketing leader with a passion for connecting people with needed care. Prior to SpineZone, Andy led digital access and engagement at LifePoint Health where he planned and executed digital health strategies for over 80 community hospitals and employed providers. Andy is passionate about building brands trusted by the communities they serve.

In his free time, Andy enjoys the great outdoors with his wife, 4 kids, and dog, Indie.

Mackenzie graduated from Oregon State University with a B.S. in Exercise Science and received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree at A.T. Still University in Mesa, AZ.

Mackenzie grew up in Portland, OR, and then later moved to Mesa, AZ for graduate school. She believes that exercise and physical activity should be something everyone is able to participate in, in whatever way someone enjoys. She is a big proponent of whole body healthcare and understanding how the systems within one’s body are interconnected. She enjoys anything outdoors from snowboarding to hiking, as well as scuba diving. She has lived abroad in various countries and enjoys being immersed in new cultures, especially trying new food.

Marisol was born and raised in San Diego and spent a few years living in Riverside. Before making her move back to her hometown she worked in customer service for 5 years. She has since transitioned to working in the healthcare field.  She has over 5 years of experience in patient care and is passionate about helping others. In her spare time you can find her spending time with her family, friends and her fur baby Dobby. She enjoys going to Padres games and spending the day at the beach.

Reed is a Doctor of Physical Therapy who was born in St. Louis, Missouri. He graduated from William
Jewell College with a Psychology degree in 2017 before completing his DPT degree at Regis University in
2022. Reed is a strong advocate for holistic health and has a hands-on treatment approach. He also
encourages his patients to invest in themselves in order to make significant, lasting changes to their
health.

Reed spends most of free time at home with his cat, Mimi. The rest of his time is spent practicing yoga,
weightlifting, hiking, listening to music, or playing basketball.

Sunnyi was born in a small town in Central Texas. Soon after graduating high school, she enlisted into the United States Navy as a Aviation Ordnance Technician and was stationed in San Diego. After completing her contract she took time out to complete school and become a Certified Medical Assistant. She hopes to continue to serve her community by helping deliver expert patient care. In her free time, Sunnyi enjoys spending time with her husband, children and their Doberman Pinscher, Mula.

Jolynn Gomez received her bachelors in Sports Conditioning with a minor in coaching and communication from Texas A&M University. She moved to California right before the COVID-19 shut down and began pursuing her education as an aspiring Physical Therapist Assistant at Stanbridge University in Irvine, CA. Jolynn finds treating patients and helping them return to their prior level of function to be so rewarding. To know that proper education and correct prescription of exercises and manipulations has such a positive effect on an individual is unreal. I want to be a part of changing someone’s life for the better.

Franklin has been practicing in orthopedic outpatient care for 23 years, specializing in orthopedics with a focus on the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine. He is also certified in aquatic rehabilitation and participates in regular continuing education to keep current on the best practices in therapeutic interventions and modalities. Originally from Washington, DC, Franklin relocated to San Diego shortly after PTA school to enjoy year-round outdoor sports and activities. As an avid USMS Master’s swimmer, he has cultivated this interest and has practiced in aquatic therapy.  He’s always happy to give patients advice if they have a pool. He has also acquired several certifications in manual therapy which he applies when working with patients in the clinic.   His interests include ice skating, volleyball, swimming, weight lifting, animals and gardening.  He is a dog lover and lifelong Dachshund owner.  He currently shares his home with two dachshunds, Abbie and Pickles and spends a lot of time at the dog park.  He recognizes the importance of being able to participate in activities and hobbies that interest us and structures treatments for his patients that are individualized to help return them to what they really love to do.

Becky graduated with her BA in Athletic Training from Carthage College and her MS in Human Movement from AT Still University. Additionally, Becky is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS).  A former collegiate heptathlete turned tennis player, Becky has worked with a wide range of patients from professional athletes to circus performers to recreational athletes and everything in between. 

Becky enjoys educating her patients on the “why” behind their injuries to help them better understand the rational behind their rehab process. 

Becky enjoys staying active by playing tennis, working out, or paddle boarding.

Kristella Franco is a Healthcare Administrator. She went to school to receive her certificate in Health Administration. She has worked in the medical field for a little  over 10 years, she really enjoys the medical field and the many different job positions it has to offer. She enjoys  being part of helping the patients in the process of getting better. She has worked many roles within these years, she started as a Patient Service Representative, then worked as an MRI scheduler, then to an  intake coordinator for a DME company, as well as a Registration Clerk, her last position was a Health  Information Clerk processing medical records. She has enjoyed receiving all the knowledge from each of those positions, and looks forward to learning more and expanding her knowledge.

Jennifer began her journey in healthcare at a small internal medicine and family practice in Vista. She has a customer service background of over 3 years. She is looking to expand her knowledge, particularly in insurances and billing, over time and she is excited to do so at SpineZone. Jennifer’s background as a disabled individual makes her a strongly empathetic and passionate about patient relations. Ensuring that patients are well cared for and have the highest quality experience is her top priority. She is a San Diego native and grew up around computers and video games as her primary hobby. In her free time, she practices yoga daily and plays PC games with a large community of online friends from around the world. You can also catch her at the occasional michelin star restaurant with her boyfriend as they are both huge foodies!

Yomary German is 25 years old and not originally from San Diego. She has been living here for about 2 years now and loves it! The people and weather are great and now there is no going back to the Imperial Valley where she’s originally from.  Yomary’s hobbies include gaming, painting and reading!

Cheyenne grew up locally here in San Diego where playing sports sparked her passion for fitness. While pursuing her Associate’s degree in Kinesiology she realized a career in the field of Physical Therapy coupled that passion with the ability to help people. She graduated from PIMA Medical Institute in 2021 with an Associates of Science degree in Physical Therapy Assisting, leading her to start her career at SpineZone. 

When Cheyenne isn’t working she is spending time exploring outdoors with her husband and their 2 kids, snowboarding, camping, or finding new fun ways to stay active. 

Clarissa graduated from UCSD with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and received her Masters of Science degree in Physical Therapy from University of the Pacific. Clarissa has been practicing since 2001 and has been working in the Physical Therapy field since 1994. She has experience in multiple settings and patient populations. 

Clarissa believes in giving patients the tools to live their best life. Education is important for not only the patients but for therapists as well.

She enjoys staying fit by working out and hiking, reading, trying new things, traveling and enjoying good food with family and friends.

Jose graduated from the University of California San Diego with a Bachelors of Science in Clinical Psychology. Following graduation, Jose worked with children as a Behavioral Therapist and has some experience in administration. Jose is pursuing a career as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and is working on attaining a Masters in Social Work.

Jose is originally from Los Angeles, but now resides in San Diego. When not working, he enjoys being outdoors and exploring hiking trails. Jose also has an extensive collection of Bonsai trees that he enjoys maintaining and styling.

Physical Therapist Assistant, graduated from Concorde Career College. Specialized in a wide variety of diagnoses from chronic injuries, post-op and general pain to neurological and gait discrepancies. 

Jamil’s hobbies are going to the gym, finding new places to eat, and learning new skin care routines.

Madeline was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona, and moved to San Diego in 2016. She has been working in healthcare since the middle of the pandemic, and has a passion for patient care. She has been involved in the medical community for 4+ years, and enjoys getting to not only know the patients, but make them feel safe and welcome as well. 

During her free time, Madeline enjoys playing the cello, piano, crocheting, and spending time with her family.

John graduated with his Doctorate of Physical Therapy Degree from The University of St. Augustine in St. Augustine, Florida in 2015.  Through the course of his career, he has had the opportunity to work in various outpatient environments with diverse patient populations which includes:  pediatric patients with special needs, athletes, medicare, attorney lien patients, workers comp patients, pre and post-op as well as patients with spinal impairments.  He is certified to dry needle, and has completed McKenzie Courses Parts A and B.  John holds two Bachelors Degrees from Kennesaw State University in his hometown of Kennesaw, Georgia with one in Exercise and Health Science and the other in Health and Physical Education.  

John has moved to San Diego from Atlanta and is looking forward to exploring this city.  In his spare time, John enjoys spending time with family and friends, exercising, exploring, enjoying good live music, attending live sporting events and meeting and getting to know people.

Born and raised in San Diego California, Marcos originally spent the earlier years of adulthood working in a private restaurant. He started as a dishwasher where he quickly learned the ins and outs of the kitchen and ascended to lead cook, before starting school. Today Marcos is a recent graduate of Concorde Career College physical therapist assistant program with full honors. Marcos is looking forward to expanding his knowledge and experience in order to provide high quality care.

During his free time, Marcos enjoys physical fitness, sports, and outdoor activities including baseball, weight training, dirt bike riding, and hiking. Marcos also still enjoys cooking for himself and his loved ones.

My name is Percy Bell and I am a native of Louisiana. I attended Nicholls State University, where I obtained a bachelor’s degree in Athletic training in May of 2012, after which, I went on to obtain a master’s degree in Exercise Science from Middle Tennessee State University. I have worked in a variety of athletic training settings including colligate athletics, the NFL, and most recently the industrial setting. I enjoy all types of fitness, and spending time outdoors, especially hiking to waterfalls here in Tennessee, where I currently reside. I am a thrill seeker. I enjoy reading books, visiting museums, and collecting sneakers.