At Cascade Summit Physical Therapy we employ degreed therapists and assistants - giving you qualified and trained care for your health care dollar.

In physical & occupational therapy there are three levels of staff: Physical Therapists, Physical Therapist Assistants and PT aides/techs. What’s the difference?

• Therapists: typically have a Master’s or Clinical Doctorate degree; are responsible for evaluating you, developing and progressing your plan of care, and carrying it out.
• Therapist Assistants: typically have an Associate’s degree; responsible for assisting and carrying out a therapist's plan of care.
• Aides/techs: typically have had on the job training only; can assist in carrying out a plan of care, but have no formal degree or specific training in therapy. May not legally administer billable care to certain insurances, such as Labor and Industrial, Medicare or Medicaid.

Our Caring, Experienced Professionals

• All therapists are members in good standing with their respective professional organizations.
• Our therapists have over 100 years combined experience in rehabilitation.
• We continue to grow and learn in our professions to better serve you.
• We listen to you, and develop a treatment approach that is customized and right for you.

Staff

Our four physical therapy locations in Yakima and Toppenish are staffed as follows:

3rd Street - Downtown Yakima
Karen Braden, PT Owner, Physical Therapist	Karen graduated from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse in 1982. Karen was employed at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital's Physical Therapy Department until January 1998. Outpatient orthopedics, geriatrics, women's health and vestibular rehab have been the focus for Karen. She enjoys gardening, backpacking and cross country skiing.
Kay Gasseling, PT Physical Therapist	Kay graduated from the University of Montana in 1986. Kay was employed at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital P.T. Department until January 1999 when she joined the staff at Cascade Summit Physical Therapy. She has worked with a broad outpatient orthopedics caseload as well as geriatrics and in a Home Health setting. Kay enjoys spending time with her husband and 3 children participating in a variety of outdoor and sporting activities.
James Ralphs, MPT Physical Therapist	James received his Masters Degree in Physical Therapy from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia in 2001, and has been with Cascade Summit Physical Therapy since 2003. He has received additional training in Brian Mulligan's manual therapy techniques, McConnell techniques for the knee, and Saunder's general approach for the spine and pelvis. James feels a customized approach to physical therapy is key to addressing a client's symptoms, whether through exercise, manual therapy techniques or modalities, and is proud to be part of an organization that allows him this freedom in treating patient's primarily one-to-one. He additionally emphasizes the importance of activities a client can do independently at home. This compliments their therapy and can continue once they are done with physical therapy to further good health and help prevent any further symptoms. James gains great satisfaction in assisting people through therapy and rehabilitation helping them reach their optimal potential after an accident, injury, surgery, or just life in general, has limited them in their normal activities. He enjoys working with clients from a wide variety of backgrounds and conditions - from youth to those in their golden years, from formal athletes to weekend warriors, to industrial athletes, but is particularly adept at treating the knee and post-surgical cases. James enjoys outdoor and recreational sporting activities, working in the yard, and building projects, as well as spending time with his wife and three children.
Kristina Simmons, DPT Physical Therapist
Heather Park-Skogen, MPT Physical Therapist	Heather grew up here in the Yakima Valley, graduating from West Valley H.S. in 1989. Thereafter, she attended University of Washington in Seattle obtaining her B.S. in Psychology. She then moved clear across the country to Philadelphia, PA to attend graduate school. She obtained her Masters of Physical Therapy from Temple University in the spring of 1996. She began her career as a Physical Therapist in Portland, OR (another cross country move.) While in Portland, much of her professional practice was with Progressive Rehabilitation Associates. She had the opportunity to learn within their multidisciplinary team of medical providers in their Chronic Pain Program and Work Conditioning/Work Hardening programs. In 2003, Heather returned to Yakima with her family in pursuit of less traffic and a little land to call their own. She worked for Memorial Hospital at the "16th Ave Station" clinic treating a broad range of diagnoses. She joined the Cascade Summit Physical Therapy Team the fall of 2007, and works at our Toppenish clinic. Her personal interests include working their ranchette (where they raise quarter horses, goats and beef,) riding horses, and spending time with her husband and 2 children. Heather's professional approach is direct and thoughtful. She hopes to partner with all of her patients and their medical providers to give the best care possible. She works to empower those under her care to make the right choices for themselves. She encourages laughter, honest feedback, and consistent exercise. Her focus is to remove barriers to healing including joint and myofascial restriction, weakness, poor postural habits, lack of regular exercise, and imbalances in the musculoskeletal system. She prefers a blend of approaches, to best tailor the Physical Therapy program to the individual needs of the patients. She believes that fear and lack of understanding on the part of our patients is one of the biggest barriers to healing. If you have any questions about particular approaches or techniques that Heather uses, please feel free to contact her.
Yolanda Ortega Business Manager
Edith Diaz Office Manager

Creekside - Yakima westside
Charles (Chuck) Martin, DPT Owner, Physical Therapist	Chuck graduated cum laude form the University of Utah in 1981. Chuck was the director of Physical and Occupational Therapy at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital from August 1988 to January 1998. He treats sports and orthopedic injuries and return to work programs. Chuck has served as President of the Physical Therapy Association of Washington. In 2001 he was selected as Physical Therapist of the Year. He is currently the Chair of The Washington State Licensing Board of Physical Therapy. In December 2007 Chuck completed his Doctorate in Physical Therapy graduating from Des Monies University. Chuck enjoys mountain climbing, hiking, backpacking, snowboarding, scuba diving, water skiing and wakeboarding.
Holli Rook, DPT, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist Physical Therapist	Holli graduated from Western Washington University in 2001 with a B.A. in Biology/Anthropology. She then attended Texas Woman’s University in Houston, TX; graduating with a Master of Science in Physical Therapy, October, 2003. She began working at CSPT in November 2003, and recently finished her transitional Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2005. Her interests include snowboarding, hiking, long naps on the beach, and planning vacations she never gets to go on. She is the proud mother of three Catahoula dogs.
Ange Stainbrook, DPT Physical Therapist	Ange Stainbrook graduated from the University of Wyoming with Bachelors’ degrees in Zoology, Physiology & Biology. She graduated with her doctorate of physical therapy in 2006 from Eastern Washington University. She has worked with a large variety of patients in the outpatient setting and has spent time working as a pediatric therapist in the Toppenish School District. She enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her border collie Shanook.
Donaleen Wood Office Manager

Washington Avenue - Yakima westside
Kathy Hata, OTR/L Occupational Therapist	Kathy graduated from the University of Washington in 1973. She has worked in a variety of settings from large metropolitan teaching hospitals to rural home health programs. Areas of interest include hand therapy, stroke rehabilitation, and cranio-sacral therapy. Kathy enjoys participating in activities which promote continuing personal growth.

Toppenish
Burton Lee, DPT Physical Therapist	Burton graduated from Western Washington University in 1998 and shortly thereafter obtained his license as a physical therapist assistant. He was employed as an assistant for 9 years until December of 2007 when he obtained his Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Saint Augustine Allied Health Professions. This therapist's hopes are to provide the best quality patient care and help people in the community become fully rehabilitated. Burton enjoys participating in outdoor activities, planning for future vacations, and experiencing a multitude of dining venues to broaden his taste bud horizons.
Heather Park-Skogen, MPT Physical Therapist	Heather grew up here in the Yakima Valley, graduating from West Valley H.S. in 1989. Thereafter, she attended University of Washington in Seattle obtaining her B.S. in Psychology. She then moved clear across the country to Philadelphia, PA to attend graduate school. She obtained her Masters of Physical Therapy from Temple University in the spring of 1996. She began her career as a Physical Therapist in Portland, OR (another cross country move.) While in Portland, much of her professional practice was with Progressive Rehabilitation Associates. She had the opportunity to learn within their multidisciplinary team of medical providers in their Chronic Pain Program and Work Conditioning/Work Hardening programs. In 2003, Heather returned to Yakima with her family in pursuit of less traffic and a little land to call their own. She worked for Memorial Hospital at the "16th Ave Station" clinic treating a broad range of diagnoses. She joined the Cascade Summit Physical Therapy Team the fall of 2007, and works at our Toppenish clinic. Her personal interests include working their ranchette (where they raise quarter horses, goats and beef,) riding horses, and spending time with her husband and 2 children. Heather's professional approach is direct and thoughtful. She hopes to partner with all of her patients and their medical providers to give the best care possible. She works to empower those under her care to make the right choices for themselves. She encourages laughter, honest feedback, and consistent exercise. Her focus is to remove barriers to healing including joint and myofascial restriction, weakness, poor postural habits, lack of regular exercise, and imbalances in the musculoskeletal system. She prefers a blend of approaches, to best tailor the Physical Therapy program to the individual needs of the patients. She believes that fear and lack of understanding on the part of our patients is one of the biggest barriers to healing. If you have any questions about particular approaches or techniques that Heather uses, please feel free to contact her.
Larry Varin, PTA, BS, CSCS Physical Therapy Assistant	Larry graduated with a Physical Therapy Assistant degree from Green River Community College in 1991. He also has a Bachelor of Science in Exercise-Fitness Administration degree from Central Washington University, and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist from the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Larry has nearly 17 years experience as a PTA, working primarily in the outpatient sports medicine field. His areas of interest are in biomechanics and functional movement as it relates to the prevention and treatment of injuries, as well as maximizing performance. He has advanced knowledge in therapeutic exercise for the treatment of back, shoulder, foot, ankle and knee pain, including extensive experience in post ACL rehabilitation, and ACL prevention programs. Larry is an ultramarathon runner who has completed numerous trail runs of 31 to 52 miles, and in 2002, completed the Cascade Crest 100 Mile Trail Run in Washington.
Tanya Office Assistant

 

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Cascade Summit Physical Therapy is open Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 6:00pm at both locations.

For more information, contact us at one of our four convenient locations:

Cascade Summit Physical Therapy / Workforce
Downtown Location 111 South 3rd Street Yakima, Washington 98901 Tel. (509) 249-8704 Fax (509) 249-8706	40th Avenue Location 3901 Creekside Loop, Suite 102 Yakima, Washington 98902 Tel. (509) 248-6113 Fax (509) 457-8941	Washington Ave. Location 2807 W. Washington Ave, Unit C Yakima, WA 98903 Tel. (509) 452-2948 Fax (509) 453-5948	Toppenish Location 220 West 1st Avenue Toppenish, WA 98948 Tel. (509) 865-5650 Fax (509) 865-5633
cascadesummitpt@cascadesummitpt.com