PHYSICAL THERAPY

Occupational Therapy
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Twilia Berry, PT
Twila graduated from Oregon State University with a Bachelors of Exercise and Sports Science in 1989 and  Eastern Washington University with degree in Physical Therapy in 1993.   Twila  and her husband have
lived in Alaska since 1994, 14 years in Galena, a remote interior
village in Alaska.  She and her husband  welcomed  3 children while in Galena. Twilia and her family moved to the Kenai Peninsula in the Fall of 2007.  She has been a PT with Alaska Aquatic Therapy since Fall 2008. Twilia has enjoyed working in almost every aspect of Physical Therapy including inpatient, outpatient, geriatrics, pediatrics (school and clinic), home health and aquatic physical therapy. In her spare time, Twila enjoys cross country skiing, reading, making candles and most of all spending time with her family. 
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Brittany Gardner, PT, DPT.
Brittany graduated from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy and a Masters in Occupational Therapy.  Brittany returned to Alaska and now splits her time between Physical Therapy at Alaska Aquatic Therapy and working as an Occupational Therapist at Kenai Kids Therapy.  Brittany enjoys traveling, hiking, cooking, reading and grooving to music. 
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Kathy Gardner, OTR/L
Kathy is the owner of Alaska Aquatic Therapy.  Kathy has been using the aquatic environment to help Kenai Peninsula Community members restore functional independence and mobility ever since 1995. Kathy received her degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Puget Sound in Washington, and has been practicing Occupational Therapy in Alaska since 1982. She enjoys travel, adventure, cooking and her grandchildren!

Carol Taurianen Ernst, OTR/L
Carol has been working as an Occupational Therapist in Alaska since 1998.  Carol fell in love with Occupational Therapy after witnessing therapist's help her father, who had a stroke. After retiring as a school counselor, Carol returned to school at Concordia University, Wisconsin where she obtained a Masters in Occupational Therapy.   Carol's focus is on helping people heal, using the water as a tool to promote wellness.  Carol's passion is her family, spending as much time as possible with two wonderfully perfect grand daughters, Irene and Evangeline.  
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Phillip Bruce, PTA. 
Phillip was born and raised in Alaska graduating from KCHS in 1993. He moved back to the Kenai Peninsula in June 2014 after 20 years in the lower 48 spending the last 8 years just outside Savannah, GA. Phillip graduated with an associates degree in physical therapy assisting in 2012 from South University in Savannah, GA. He currently resides in Soldotna, AK with his wife and two daughters. Phillip is looking forward to the fishing and hunting opportunities as an Alaskan resident as well as spending quality time with family and friends. 
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Rachel Hamilton, COTA. 
Rachel graduated in 2012 from Jamestown Community College with her Associates in Applied Sciences- Occupational Therapy Assistant degree. As soon as possible, she moved from the cold, snowy Western New York to South Carolina.  After working for a year in an outpatient pediatric clinic, Rachel decided to pursue travel therapy.  She has had the opportunity to work in a variety of settings, including schools, nursing homes and hospitals. Then the chance opened up to come to Alaska and she knew she couldn't pass it up!  In her spare time she enjoys traveling and reading. 
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Sharon Tikka
Traveled to Alaska in June 1980 to work in the canneries.  Fell in love with the lifestyle and beauty of Alaska, and made the Kenai Peninsula my home.  I have a wonderful husband of 34 years and two beautiful sons.  Born and raised in San Diego county, I swam through high school and college.  I love the water. I taught swimming lessons at private swim schools and coached Mission Bay High School Girls' Swim Team. Having married into commercial fishing, I love the lifestyle of being on the water. I feel blessed to be living in Alaska and all the great things it has to offer. 
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Gretchen Graeff
Gretchen, Q, is a certified rolfer, licensed massage therapist and Thai Chi instructor.  Q has been aiding therapist's at Alaska Aquatic Therapy since 1995.  Her passion's include empowering others to find wellness, gardening and nutrition. Q is a true scholar of life and an avid researcher, continually looking for ways to help others thrive.