Staff
Long time Pasadena resident, David Johnson, MPT, PCS, has been the proud owner of Evergreen Physical Therapy Specialists, Inc. since 2005. It is his vision and commitment to provide specialized physical therapy interventions for children, teens, adults and senior citizens in our surrounding communities. The "Evergreen Point of View" is this: Though many people are alike, no two are the same. As a result each patient receives a personalized, specific physical therapy treatment plan carried out by licensed physical therapists.
About the Staff
David E. Johnson MPT, PCS has been practicing as a physical therapist since 1991. He has over 30,000 hours of experience in the evaluation and treatment of youth and teens, adults, and seniors with a wide variety of diagnoses. He is a graduate of USC's Dept. of Physical Therapy and Biokinesiology. He completed a one year rehabilitation/neurology PT residency at Casa Colina Centers for Rehabilitation in Pomona, California where he stayed on as a staff PT another 12 years treating both children and adults. In 2002, he was board certified in pediatrics by the American Physical Therapy Association. In addition to his extensive neurological rehabilitation background he is a member of professional pediatric and orthopedic special interest groups. He lives with his wife and 4 school aged kids in Pasadena and is extensively involved in Community Youth Sports Programs.
Tammy Johnson BSN, RN is 1986 graduate of Biola University's nursing program and has worked as a pediatric nurse at Children's Hospital for 22 years, where she keeps a per diem position. At Evergreen, among many other things, Tammy administrates financial operations, interfaces with insurance companies to limit complications with reimbursement, acts as a liaison with referring offices, and serves as a welcoming face to all who enter our doors. She has amazing multi-tasking capabilities endowed to her from many years of balancing work, 4 children, marriage to Dave for 21 years, and her own health and fitness routine in the wee hours of the morning.
Beate Carriere, PT, CIFK is an internationally seasoned PT having 40 years of experience covering most continents. She has published texts and extensively lectured on the therapeutic uses of the swiss ball, women's health issues of pelvic pain and incontinence, and thoracic spine-postural dysfunctions. She is a certified Functional Kinetics practitioner (S. Klein-Vogelbach trained), NDT Trained by the Bobath's in London, Kaltenborn Manual Therapy and Lymphedema Trained in Germany, and has served as an invited speaker by the APTA on topics such as motor learning swiss ball exercises, pelvic floor pain, and continence dysfunctions. Beate is fluent in Spanish, French, and German and loves to cook, bake, hike, camp, and travel. She has friends all over the world and brings a true international flare to Evergreen PTS. We all think if we could do half of what she can on the swiss ball, then we'll be in good shape for years to come.
Sally R. Howard, PT, CLT has been a physical therapist for 34 years. She has dedicated her career to the treatment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunctions, headaches, myofascial dysfunctions, fibromyalgia, and lymphedema. Ms. Howard was in private practice in North San Diego County for 24 years and was known as the most experienced TMJ therapist in the area. She has taught at the Dental School at the University of Southern California (USC), taught continuing education courses in TMJ to other physical therapists, served in leadership roles as district and program chair and ethics committee member for the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and served on the board of directors for the TMJ Foundation. In the early 1980s, she developed post-operative protocols for those patients needing surgery. Addtionally, Sally has 10 years experience in pelvic floor dysfunction, both incontinence and painful conditions. She truly enjoys what she does. Ms. Howard relocated to the San Gabriel Valley to be near her grandchildren and to take care of her mother.
MICHELLE KEYES, PT, DPT was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, spending most of her time in the pool. Michelle went to undergraduate college in St. Louis, Missouri where she was a four year collegiate swimmer, receiving a BS in athletic training and graduating in 2007. She attended Azusa Pacific University for physical therapy school, receiving her doctoral degree in 2010. Many of our patients remember her as she was a standout intern at Evergreen in the fall of 2009. She furthered her experience interning in a neurology and vestibular outpatient clinic in 2010. Michelle has a passion for balance, neurological and pediatric patients. She also desires to bring her expertise in Aquatics and swimming to her patients who share her love for water. She looks forward to a bright and long future in PT.
Annette Karim, PT, DPT, OCS, is a board-certified orthopaedic clinical specialist with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Texas Woman's University. A native Californian, she returns to Pasadena as an active professional in the field of physical therapy and dance medicine. She has taught ballet, pointe, jazz, and tap for over 25 years in California and Texas, and was the dance director for Break the Barriers and the Houston Metropolitan Dance Company's Met Too. Prior to moving to Pasadena, Annette was the on-call Physical Therapist for the Houston Metropolitan Dance Company and provided backstage PT for traveling Broadway shows. Her burden for healthcare and wellness in the dance population began with her own experience as a former soloist, guest choreographer, and rehearsal assistance with Central California Ballet Company and the Pacific Dance Company. Annette's experience with students and other professionals drive her passion for dancer and performing artist wellness. She is an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Orthopaedic Section and Performing Arts Special Interest Group, the International Association of Dance Medicine and Science (IADMS), the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (AAOMPT), and the National Center for Human Performance (NCHP), and the Taskforce for Dancer Health-Dance USA. Annette is married to Reverend Mike Karim, and the mother of 2 professional dancers. In her "off time", Annette enjoys a good hockey game.
Kathy Kumagai, DPT, NCS, OCS, CSCS, FAAOMPT has been a physical therapist since 1989 when she received her B.S. from CSUN. She received her post professional M.S. and D.P.T. from USC in 2000 and 2001. She is currently Assistant Professor at Azusa Pacific University's Department of Physical Therapy, and is Clinical Faculty in Southern California Kaiser Permanente Movement Science, Manual Therapy and Spine Fellowships. She is a dual board certified clinical specialist in Neurology and Orthopaedics and a certified strength and conditioning specialist. She traveled to Prague, Czechoslovakia repeatedly and became a certified DNS (Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization, www.rehabps.com) practitioner/instructor in 2009. As clinician, clinical faculty, and certified practitioner Kathy embodies a commitment to the pursuit of excellence in her profession and brings with her a special joy that radiates to everyone with in a hug's reach. And she's guaranteed to make you laugh, even on a bad day.
Melanie Villarroel, BS, ATC, a native southern Californian, graduated from Chapman University with a Bachelor's degree in Athletic Training where she also played four years of collegiate Softball. She received her certification of the National Athletic Trainers Association. A local athlete, Melanie enjoyed a successful high school sports career at San Gabriel High in volleyball, basketball and softball. She has provided ATC expertise on the sidelines of collegiate and high school football, track and field, and basketball. Melanie manages Evergreen's fitness programs, assists PTs and local high school athletic programs.
Diane Park, Feldenkrais Instructor is a guild certified Feldenkrais practitioner as well as a pilates instructor with over twenty years of teaching experience. Her years as a professional dancer put her on a path to seek out methods that would help maintain an optimal level of fitness and agility while minimizing injuries. Her Groundwork class - a blending of pilates, Feldenkrais and dynamic stretching - provides the opportunity for developing improved body awareness, functional strength and flexibility.
Diane is a native of Hawaii. She graduated from the University of Hawaii with a B.A. in Dance Ethnology.
Maureen Housman is our Patient Care Coordinator and here to enhance communications between Evergreen and referring health care professionals, schools, dance companies/studios, gymnastic clubs and community organizations. She is the perfect liaison having owned her own business, organized many school functions and fund raisers, and being the mother of a collegiate gymnast and high school cross country runner who has spent years navigating health and wellness services for her family. She is an integral part of Evergreen's ability to form specialized programs. She closely monitors quality of care and surveys patients to ensure we are up to the minute responsive to the needs of our patients. She is also the creative force behind promotions, raffles, and free offers! Look for Maureen's corner to come soon. You may be our next winner!
Sue Schmidt, Front Desk Associate is probably the first one who will listen to you. Sue provides a welcoming ear in managing front desk operations. Her 40 years of administrative support experience have brought a level of efficiency, competency, and warmth to the process of schedules, insurance claims, communications with referring offices, phones, and support of both Dave (owner) and Tammy (business manager). Your experience with Sue will be one of compassion, organization, efficient follow up, and competency with the details of medical office operations.
Evergreen Physical Therapy Specialists is here to compliment the medical care provided by the referring physician. We look forward to working with you to ensure that our community is provided exceptional healthcare. We are contracted as in-network for most area PPO insurance plans, Medicare, and some Workers' Compensation plans. We also offer services in the areas of fitness training, massage, and classes in Feldenkrais by a certified practitioner. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have regarding our services.