Physical Therapy - Parkrose
(503) 408-7077
Our Providers
Tiffany Elder,
PT, DPT, Cert MDT
Lead Physical Therapist
Each patient is unique, and physical therapist Tiffany Elder develops individual treatment plans to meet each patient’s specific needs and goals. “I want every patient to have the tools that they need to reduce pain, improve their function and to prevent reinjury,” she says.
Tiffany completed her bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees at Pacific University. She is also certified in mechanical diagnosis and therapy (MDT) and is a certified Astym soft-tissue therapy provider. She treats all types of musculoskeletal conditions with a focus on MDT. She uses both exercise and manual therapy techniques to develop individualized and specialized treatment plans.
“I want each person to be actively engaged in their treatment,” Tiffany explains. “My goal is to help people return to the activities that they enjoy and improve their quality of life.”
A native of Vancouver, Washington, Tiffany has traveled widely but can’t imagine living anywhere else. When she’s not busy with her patients, she enjoys gardening, sporting events, and spending time with her friends and family.
Joy Friedel, PTA
Physical Therapist Assistant
Physical therapy assistant Joy Friedel enjoys helping patients return to doing what they love. Whether it’s from injury, surgery or accident, recovery can be daunting and sometimes painful. Joy feels most engaged when she is connecting and laughing with her patients as well as challenging them in creative ways to make the rehab process fun. She works hard to ensure her patients feel heard and to develop individualized, compassionate and relevant care.
Joy earned a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Warner Pacific College pursuing a career in information technology and banking. She returned to school after having children to obtain her PTA degree from Mount Hood Community College. Joy brings with her experience in working with patients in a variety of settings including acute care and skilled nursing.
Joy is an avid hiker and recreational runner with a goal to complete the Pacific Crest Trail someday! She is a wife and mother who loves cheering on her children at their basketball and soccer games. Joy believes in giving back to the community of Corbett as a volunteer firefighter.
Alec Mills, PT
Physical Therapist
Treating his patients as unique individuals and finding creative ways to help them are passions for physical therapist Alec Mills. “Everybody has different capabilities, needs, interests and things that fit for them but nobody else,” Alec explains. “I like to tailor my approach to what is doable for each individual.”
After completing his bachelor’s in exercise and sports science at Oregon State University, Alec took a year of graduate coursework in biomechanics. He went on to complete a Master of Science in physical therapy at University of Colorado. He is also certified in McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy.
Alec’s clinic interests include cervical and lumbar radiculopathy as well as chronic shoulder, hip and knee pain that has been previously unresponsive to treatment. “I love the ‘tough’ cases and being a detective in finding a solution when one has been elusive,” he says. He also enjoys working with nonhealing wounds and sports injuries.
What each person considers is important is what Alec cares about. “I don’t believe in the ‘no pain, no gain’ approach and want to make exercise as easy and convenient as possible,” he explains.
A college soccer player himself, Alec is a big Portland Timbers fan who also roots for England’s Arsenal F.C. Alec and his wife are both Oregon natives. They value their southeast Portland neighborhood and love exploring the Oregon coast as well as other areas of the country.
Alec loves animals and traveled to east Africa for a safari. He also loves golf, even though he admits he’s horrible at it.
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.
Sam Philip, PT, MPT
Lead Physical Therapist
Physical therapist Sam Philip loves hearing his patients’ life stories
and getting to know them on a personal level. To him, the patient is more
than the knee or shoulder they are treating.
Sam received his master’s degree in physical therapy at Loma Linda
University in Loma Linda, California. He was a board-certified orthopedic
clinical specialist through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties
between 2006-2016 and carries on with those skills to help patients recover
from injury. Within orthopedics, Sam helps patients through joint replacements,
fracture rehabilitation, chronic pain conditions, work-related injuries,
and balance rehabilitation. He usually combines hands-on therapy with
exercise-based treatment in order to achieve each patient’s goals.
When he’s not at work, you might find Sam playing roller hockey or
on the sidelines as a fan of the Portland Winterhawks hockey team. Otherwise,
he might be taking to the road with his family to explore the Pacific
Northwest or a national park.
Rhonda Wilson
Physical Therapist Assistant
Making patients feel at ease and letting each patient know their goals are her goal are the hallmarks of how Rhonda Wilson provides care as a physical therapy assistant. She is an active listener who cares about patients’ entire well-being — body, mind and spirit.
“Some days we need exercises, and some days we need to talk things through,” she explains. “I am here for both. It is all an important part of the healing process.”
After completing her degree as a physical therapist assistant, Rhonda has worked in outpatient orthopedic rehabilitation as well as in the skilled nursing environment. Her focuses include the McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Testing, functional work conditioning and post job offer screenings.
Rhonda and her husband share a daughter who is the joy of their lives. In her free time, Rhonda coaches a local high school dance team. She enjoys dancing, crafting and being artistic in general. She also values living each day to the fullest and finding joy and laughter.
Chu Wu, DPT
Physical Therapist
Physical therapist Chu Wu believes treatment is a team effort. He includes his patients in decisions about their care. He is passionate about getting people back to doing whatever gives them joy.
Chu received his doctorate in physical therapy at Regis University in Denver, Colorado. He focuses on manual and movement-based therapy.
Rock climbing, backpacking and tennis are Chu’s favorite hobbies. He grew up in the Pacific Northwest and loves anything that involves the outdoors.
We're here to help! If you have questions, or would like an appointment,
reach out today.
Call:
(503) 261-6962
Fax: (503) 261-6673
Or fill out our online form
here.