Physical Therapy
Physical Therapy - Portland Campus
(503) 251-6100
Lori Austin, PTA
Physical Therapist Assistant
Lori Austin is passionate about making connections with her patients as their physical therapist assistant. She sees her patients as more than an injury or a diagnosis. She provides the care for each patient that she would want for herself or her loved ones in the same situation.
Lori received her physical therapist assistant degree from Mount Hood Community College in Gresham, Oregon. Most of her experience is in acute care.
A fan of exploring, Lori enjoys backpacking, snowshoeing, biking, running and paddle boarding. She is a mom of three boys.
Janel Bhattacharya, PT, DPT
Lead Physical therapist
Janel wants to understand what brings you joy so your therapy can be customized to who you are as a person, not just your diagnosis. “My ultimate goal is to help get you back home and able to continue doing the things you love,” she says.
Working with critical care, heart and lung patients is the main focus in her work with Adventist Health Portland. A graduate of Kansas Wesleyan University and University of Saint Mary in Kansas, Janel values continuing education and is pursuing advanced certification in cardiovascular and pulmonary.
An avid tennis player and runner, she moved to the Pacific Northwest with her husband from the Midwest. They value all the nearby outdoor activities and being surrounded by so much green. They love raising their family here.
Shannon Ellsworth, DPT
Physical Therapist
Physical therapist Shannon Ellsworth uses creative problem-solving to help people to be as functional and independent as possible. She loves helping people to improve their physical ability to do the things they enjoy. Shannon earned her doctorate degree at Tennessee State University in Nashville, TN.
She takes a holistic view to health and works with patients to best meet their goals and needs. Ellsworth recently returned from working in a clinic in India. She loved the opportunity to provide physical therapy in a different culture and setting.
At home, Ellsworth and her family like taking walks to enjoy the different seasons and to explore. One of her favorite things to do is sharing a leisurely and delicious meal with friends. Her hobbies include playing board games, reading and traveling.
Bryan George, PTA
Physical Therapist Assistant
For physical therapy assistant Bryan George, seeing patients find their personal motivation to stay strong and keep moving is very rewarding. He reminds his patients that there is no passing or failing in physical therapy. It is all about progress.
Bryan graduated from Mount Hood Community College Physical Therapist Assistant program in Gresham, Oregon. He loves providing patients with support, encouragement and guidance as they work through recovery.
Originally from the Midwest, Bryan enjoys seeking out the best breakfast spots in the Portland area. He lives with his wife and their dog. Bryan dabbles in creating simple animations and is learning archery.
Kelly O’Keefe, PTA
Physical therapist assistant
Kelly O’Keefe enjoys working with an interdisciplinary team to help her patients reach their goals and improve their overall health. A great patient advocate, she likes to solve problems and help her patients and their families through challenging times.
With a special focus on orthopedics, Kelly educates patients through the total knee replacement class and a class for patients before they have elective knee and hip replacement surgery. She also works with patients during their hospital stay.
Kelly completed her Bachelor of Science degree at Portland State University before heading to Mount Hood Community College’s physical therapist assistant program.
Outside of work, Kelly enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, extended family and friends. She lives on a small farm, where she grows flowers for market. Kelly also enjoys getting away to Hawaii with her family for rest and relaxation.
Amy Penner, PT, DPT
Physical therapistAmy Penner is passionate about the power of human resilience through injury and setbacks. She hopes to empower her patients to see they are strong and adaptable.
Amy graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a major in biological sciences and a minor in dance. She earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy from Eastern Washington University. Her approach to physical therapy is rooted in evidence-based practices, ensuring each patient receives the highest quality care. Amy enjoys connecting with her patients and wants to learn what they are passionate about so she can tailor her treatment approach to best meet their needs. Whether a patient is recovering form surgery, managing a chronic condition, or seeking to enhance their athletic performance, she ensures personalized care and support to help her patients reach health and wellness goals.
Amy, a native Californian, recently moved to the Pacific Northwest after falling in love with Portland during one of her clinical rotations. She enjoys the fresh air and can be found spending time skiing, hiking, camping and rock climbing. She also has a lifelong passion for dance with her favorite style being tap.
Andrea Martin, MSPT
Physical Therapist
Physical therapist Andrea Martin is passionate about helping people regain strength and function after illness, injury or surgery and she greatly enjoys helping people return to the lives and activities they love.
Martin earned her master’s degree in physical therapy at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. She has more than 15 years of experience working with patients in a wide variety of health care settings including hospitals, home health and skilled nursing facilities. This experience enables her to provide excellent patient-centered care that always looks at the whole person.
Martin has spent several years specializing in helping people recover from new neurological problems, such as a stroke, and she is pursuing advanced education in this area.
Martin is a dog lover and would love to hear about any pets that you have. She enjoys spending time with her own pet and volunteering for dog rescue groups. She also loves the outdoors and enjoys kayaking, camping, and snowboarding. Her other interests include reading, painting, and watching movies.
Larry Soule, PT
Physical therapist
Administrative Director, Rehab Services
It’s all about helping the people who come for rehabilitation services feel and do better for Larry Soule, a physical therapist and the administrative director of Rehab Services. He believes in personalized care and communication, which increases understanding, reduces anxiety and improves quality of life.
Soule earned his bachelor’s degree in physical therapy at Loma Linda University in California. He has more than 30 years of experience working in physical therapy. In his role as the administrative director, Soule believes his job is to inspire and support rehab therapists and other medical professionals to deliver the best possible care for all patients.
Soule is active in a variety of organizations in and outside the hospital that involve physical rehabilitation. For example, he is an advisory board member for the Mount Hood Community College Physical Therapy Assistant Program in Gresham, Oregon. At Adventist Health Portland, he sits on several operations and advisory council, including the Orthopedic Advisory Council and Total Joint Replacement Program and the Stroke Operations Council.
For fun, Soule scuba dives and pilots airplanes, in addition to enjoying hiking and camping. He also likes working with his hands, doing activities such as home building, gardening and woodworking. He adores his family and dogs.
Kimberly Ryan, DPT
Physical therapist
A believer in the power of positivity, physical therapist Kimberly Ryan brings energy, creativity and knowledge to her patient relationships.
Ryan got her doctorate in physical therapy at Samuel Merritt University in Oakland, California. She has additional training in Neuro-Developmental Treatment and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation. She is passionate about working with people who have disorders that affect the brain and nerves.
If she weren’t a physical therapist, Ryan thinks she’d like to be a professional jigsaw puzzle solver. A triathlete, she enjoys hiking, cycling, swimming, free diving and sailing.
Leah Thomas, PT, DPT, CWS
Physical therapist
Leah Thomas originally hails from Albuquerque, NM where she studied at the University of New Mexico for undergraduate and graduate school. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with her Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science with a minor in Nutrition in 2010 and with her Doctoral degree in Physical Therapy in 2013. She continued her education and skills to become a Certified Wound Specialist through the American Board of Wound Management in 2017. Leah is pleased to have joined the Adventist team in 2019. She believes in caring for the whole person and addressing the unique needs of each individual. When she is not working Inpatient Physical Therapy at Adventist, Leah enjoys participating in challenging artistic endeavors, dance, cycling, and working on classic cars.
Matt Johnson, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist
Matt attended Pacific Lutheran University with degrees in Spanish and Technical Theatre. He then went to attend George Fox University and received his Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2017. He joined the Adventist team in 2020 and specializes in neurological conditions and geriatrics. It is incredibly important to Matt that patients feel heard and understood as he guides them to meet their individual goals. He believes in treating every patient he encounters as he would want his family to be treated.
Matt loves hiking, rock climbing, biking, kayaking and exploring the Pacific Northwest. He and his wife enjoy travelling both in the U.S. and internationally and have a passion for doing mission work in the medical field
Shaunna Stelzenmueller, PTA
Physical Therapist Assistant
Engaging patients in their therapy is important to physical therapist assistant Shaunna Stelzenmueller. She is willing to take time to find out what is meaningful to her patients.
Stelzenmueller is a graduate of the Mount Hood Community College Physical Therapist Assistant program. She helps patients recover after surgeries, including total joint replacement, spinal surgeries and cardiac surgeries. Stelzenmueller is especially interested in stroke and neuro-degenerative recovery.
In addition to her training in physical therapy, Stelzenmueller is a certified Reiki Master, an alternative health method using energy healing. She was also a licensed massage therapist for 10 years. Stelzenmueller loves spending time outdoors and gardening.
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