BEYOND THE STRETCH
A THERAPY PARTNERS GROUP NEWSLETTER
A MESSAGE FROM OUR CHIEF CLINICAL OFFICER
March Madness is upon us! This time of year, basketball takes center stage, bringing intense competition, teamwork, and unforgettable moments. But beyond the game, basketball shares deep parallels with what we do in our clinics from leadership and coaching to teamwork and a culture of excellence.
Much like a championship team, a great physical therapy clinic thrives on collaboration. Patients are at the center of our game plan, and every therapist, tech, and front-office team member has a crucial role in their success. Coaches guide their players; we mentor and support our patients. Championship teams trust each other, communicate effectively, and adapt to challenges— just as our clinic teams do every single day.
At TPG, we don’t just provide care—we build a winning culture. Our shared commitment to growth, learning, and delivering toptier patient experiences is what sets us apart. Whether you’re leading from the front or supporting behind the scenes, every role matters, and every contribution brings us closer to victory.
As we enjoy the excitement of March Madness, let’s celebrate the teamwork and dedication that make us champions in patient care. Keep playing strong, supporting each other, and making a difference!
Game on!
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10 - Meet a few members of the TPG DREAM TEAM
14 - Our CDs are taking it to the next level #growing
- The journey of a Physical Therapist Fellow
JENNIFER ALLEN PT, DPT
Brent Mack PT
COO, Kim Kollwelter DPT, MBA
Senior VP of People & Culture, Ashley Piazza PT, DPT
CEO,
Hector Benitez CD, PTA
Alicia Green PT, Sport Resident
G Cazares PT Tech
Victoria Cazares PT Tech
Alize Grijalva PT Tech
Santiago Salazar Ruiz, PT, UofA D1 Fellowship
Orion Tomada PT, DPT
Corey Ulrich PT, OCS
Tyler J Goslinga PT, DPT
Specialty outpatient rotations available including outpatient neurology, pelvic health, pediatrics, sports rehabilitation, orthopedic specialists. All rotations from early ICE to terminal clinical experiences with hiring opportunities are welcome. Local brand partners accepting students in 7 states.
Career Growth
Your Way | Choose Your Path
Formal Residency Program
New Graduate Success Program
12-month structured program
Monthly Interactive Journal Clubs
Monthly Special Topic Didactic Training
Online Modules
15-month ABPTRFE-accredited
Residency Program
Available in Arizona & California
Qualify to sit for APTA's Specialization
Certification examination
Advanced Clinical Programs
Sports, Pelvic Health, Geriatrics, Orthopedics, Hand Therapy, Neurology, & Pediatrics
Knowledge Tracks in specific curriculum
12 months to complete a program
EMERGING LEADERS & CLINICAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
The Emerging Leaders Program is designed for clinicians beginning their leadership journey. It focuses on developing foundational leadership skills, communication, and effective team management.
The Clinical Leadership Program is specifically tailored for clinic directors within TPG. This program enhances leadership abilities, clinical expertise, and operational management skills.
75% pass rate of all courses & completion of program requirements
Case study write-up & presentation
Anyone in an Advanced Clinical Program will be included in the
FELLOW spotlight on a
PHYSICAL THERAPIST
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Icompletedmy residencyand wantedtocontinue learningbutata higherlevel.Icreated aD1Sports FellowshipwithUofA toincreasemy exposuretoworking witheliteathletesin thecollegiatesetting. Itwasthemost rewardingexperience andIamproudtonow leadcontinuing cohortsthroughthe program.
“In my 1st year of college, my sister tore her ACL, and I took her to some of her physical therapy appointments and realized this side of medicine is where I was supposed to be.” Inschool,Iwantedto getsomeexposure withsportsPTsoI createdaclinical partnershipwith BodyCentralPTtodo mysecond16week rotation.Duringthat time,Ihadalotof exposureto BodyCentral’sSports Residencyprogram includingmodules, mentoringand workingwithFC Tucsonalocal professionalsoccer program.IknewI foundmypassionand appliedforthe ResidencyProgram andgotaccepted.
IhavebeenworkingwiththeUofAmen’s basketballteam.Ithasbeenagreattime workingwiththesemenandlearningmore aboutthegameofbasketball.
Theteamenvironmentinthe athletictrainingroomisso funwithmyATC,Justin KokoskieandhisATstudent DJGammage.IlovethatIget tobeanadditiontotheir sportsmedicineteam!
Utah just made history as the first state to pass legislation for physical therapists to be recognized as primary care providers!
Thanks to the steadfast advocacy of APTA Utah PTs will soon serve as primary care providers for neuromusculoskeletal conditions. This change in designation empowers PTs to practice at the top of their licensure advancing patient care and the physical therapy profession into the future.
News...
AARP has publicly endorsed the SAFE Act! This is a tremendous win and a positive step forward for physical therapy. Their support wasn’t easily gained, and it’s a testament to the power of our collective advocacy.
Thank you for your continued efforts and for sending emails through APTQI. Your voices are making a real impact — let’s keep the momentum going!
Contact your lawmaker
GET KNOW TO OUR INCREDIBLE TEAM
Meet sierra anderson
I will be attending PT school starting May, 2025 through The University of Utah, and want to come back as a licensed DPT in 3 years! I love being outdoors, especially hunting and fly fishing.
Meet Megan Picas
Meet
Kevin Castillo
Physical Therapist
I love basketball, golf, snowboarding, training Muay Thai & kickboxing, and supporting the LA Lakers and Rams. Also, I’ll be working with the US Olympic Committee to gear up for the 2028 Summer Games!
Kevin Castillo - Behind the scenes at the US Sailing Performance Camp at the @teamusa Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs!
Super stoked to come aboard as a team Physiotherapist!...Feeling very grateful & inspired and looking forward to helping these athletes on their journey to @la28games -Kevin
Clinic Director/PT : Sport & Spine of Marin: Novato, CA
Clinic Director/PT: Body in Balance: Fairfield, CA
Physical Therapist: Body in Balance: Fairfield, CA
Physical Therapist: Napa Valley PT : Napa, CA
Physical Therapist: Golden Bear PT: Modesto, CA
Physical Therapist: Golden Bear PT: Lodi, CA
Physical Therapist: Golden Bear PT: Ripon, CA
Physical Therapist: Two Trees
Physical Therapy: Ventura, CA
Physical Therapist: Two Trees
Physical Therapy: Newbury Park, CA
Physical Therapist: Two Trees
Physical Therapy: Oxnard, CA
Physical Therapist: Pair & Marotta PT: Bakersfield, CA
Regional Director of OperationsPhysical Therapist: Tucson, AZ U t a h | N e v a d a | A r i z o n a
Physical Therapist: Fit PT: Mesquite, UT
Physical Therapist- Pelvic Health:
Bodycentral PT: Tucson, AZ
Our leadership team led discussions on defining success as a leader at TPG, industry trends, and strategies for creating an exceptional patient and teammate experience. A key focus was empowering our teams to grow as strong, effective leaders, with additional soft skill training on leadership branding.
CLINICAL PEARL
Chronicankleinstability(CAI)canbeafrustratingandlingeringissueforpatients andaclinicalchallengefortherapists.Despiteitshigh prevalenceafteralateralanklesprain,manypatientsdon’treceivethecomprehensiverehabneededtopreventlong-termdeficits.
Asphysicaltherapists,we’reinauniquepositiontoidentifyneuromuscularimpairments,applyevidence-basedinterventions,andguidepatients towardlastingrecovery.Here’saconcise,research-informedapproachtotreatingCAIinyourpractice.
UnderstandingCAI:MoreThanLigamentLaxity
CAIinvolvesbothmechanicalinstabilityandfunctionaldeficits,includingproprioceptivelossandimpairedneuromuscularcontrol Patientsoften describefrequent“givingway,”difficultywithunevensurfaces,andreducedconfidenceintheirankle Upto70%ofindividualswithCAIexhibit persistentneuromusculardeficitswellbeyondtheacutehealingphase(Gribbleetal,2021)
SensorimotorTrainingisFoundational
ResearchconsistentlysupportstheuseofsensorimotortraininginimprovingoutcomesforindividualswithCAI Thisincludessingle-legstance, dynamicbalancedrills,perturbationtraining,andhop-to-stabilizetasks Theseexerciseshelpre-establishjointpositionsenseandenhance reactiontimes
A2023meta-analysisbyDonovanandHertelfoundthatsensorimotorinterventionssignificantlyimprovedbothself-reportedstabilityand functionalperformanceinindividualswithCAI.
ManualTherapyImprovesMobilityandStability
Jointmobilizations,particularlyatthetalocruralandsubtalarjoints,canrestoremobilityanddecreasepain.Techniqueslikemobilizationwith movement(MWM)haveshownaddedbenefitinimprovingposturalcontrolandgaitmechanics.
A2019randomizedcontrolledtrialbyHochandcolleaguesdemonstratedthatcombiningmanualtherapywithprogressiveexerciseledto superioroutcomescomparedtoexercisealone
StrengtheningMustBeProximalandDistal
Whileperonealmusclestrengtheningisessential,don’toverlooktheroleofproximalcontrol ManypatientswithCAIalsodemonstrateimpaired hipstrengthandalteredcorestability,whichcancontributetofaultylowerextremitymechanics
A2020studybyCruz-Díazetal.highlightedthatincludinghipabductorstrengtheninginanklerehabimproveddynamicbalanceanddecreased theriskofreinjury.
StrengtheningMustBeProximalandDistal
WhentreatingCAI,considerassessingbeyondligamentousstability.Focusonneuromusculartiming,posturalcontrol,andproximalstrength.A multimodalapproach combiningsensorimotortraining,manualtherapy,andcomprehensivestrengthening offersthebestchanceof returningpatientstofullfunctionandreducingtheriskofrecurrentsprains.
