PHYSICAL THERAPY

 

Brittany Gardner, DPT, OTL
Owner

Brittany was born and raised in Soldotna, and after graduating from The University of St. Augustine in 2011, with her Doctorate in PT and her Master’s in OT she returned to Alaska. 
She joined her Mom at Alaska Aquatic, and steadily began to grow the practice to expand locations to include the Skyview Pool (2017) and then with opening the land based clinic (2020)! 
She has been passionate about aquatics (Aquaticist Credentialled in 2018) and bringing creative solutions to help community members achieve their goals. When not working, Brittany spends the majority of her time with her children, being outside and finding adventures. 

Laura Gerber, PT
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Laura  graduated in 1996 from the University of Puget Sound Master of physical therapy program.  Since then she has worked in a variety of settings including hospitals and clinics.  She has a special interest in using yoga therapeutically and is studying to be certified as a yoga therapist. Her favorite things to do when not at work are hiking, biking, kayaking, walking on the beach, and yoga. Whenever she can bring her teenage son along on any of these activities it’s an extra good day.

​Twila Berry, PT

Katelyn Keith, DPT
Katelyn grew up in a small town in Northwest Kansas and attended Kansas State University to receive her Bachelors in Kinesiology before moving onto earn her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Wichita State University in 2015. After a few years of great mentorship, she entered the world of travel therapy and began moving between Southeast Alaska and Maui before *accidentally* staying put in south-central Alaska a few years ago. Katelyn has worked in several settings throughout the years including skilled nursing, home health, and inpatient rehab, but found her true passion in outpatient/orthopedic therapy. Mechanical Diagnosis and Treatment credentialed, she specializes in treating the spine and enjoys utilizing both land and aquatic therapy to help progress patients to their goals. In her free time, Katelyn enjoys hiking, skiing, fishing and any adventure that Alaska has to offer!

Sarah Frizzell, PT, DPT

Sarah grew up in New Hampshire and graduated from Ithaca College in upstate New York with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2017. Since then she has worked in a variety of hospital and rehabilitation based settings with a focus on working with individuals with neurological diagnoses. She moved up to Alaska in 2021 and enjoys spending time camping, hiking, reading, trying new sourdough recipes, traveling, and spending time by the water whenever possible. 

Allison Allbritton, PTA

Carrie Murray, PTA
Carrie graduated from Whatcom Community College in 2008 with  an Associate of Science- Physical Therapist Assistant degree. Carrie was a  physical/occupational therapy aide  in a multi-discipline pediatric outpatient clinic and at Alaska Aquatic Therapy prior to becoming a licensed physical therapist assistant.  Her experience as a physical therapist assistant includes hospital inpatient rehabilitation, sub acute rehabilitation, outpatient orthopedics, aquatic therapy rehabilitation, and outpatient pediatric rehabilitation including sensory integration dysfunction.
​Carrie enjoys volunteering  at local church functions, hiking, bicycling, snowmachining, cross-country skiing, and spending with her family and friends playing games and/or watching movies.

Jennifer Redinger, PT

Photo and Bio coming soon!

Occupational Therapy

Julie Johnson, OTL

​Photo and Bio coming soon!
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Carol Taurianen Ernst, OTR/L
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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, Evangeline and Agnus. 

Kathy Gardner, OTR/L
Photo  coming soon!

Kathy is the founder and former owner of Alaska Aquatic Therapy.  Kathy began using the aquatic environment to help Kenai Peninsula Community members restore functional independence and mobility in 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!  Kathy began her retirement in 2023, but you might be lucky enough to see her when she fills in or still consults with us out at the pool!

Staff

Tammy Pharris
Patient Care Coordinator

Bio coming soon!

Gretchen Graeff
Therapy Aide
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Gretchen, "Q", is a certified rolfer, licensed massage therapist and Tai Chi instructor.  Q has been aiding therapist's at Alaska Aquatic and Rehab 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.