Cascade Summit Physical Therapy - Yakima, Washington


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Meet the Physical Therapist Staff

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

 

Creekside - Yakima westside

Karen Braden, PT
Founder

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.

Charles (Chuck) Martin, DPT
Founder, Director, Physical Therapist

Chuck Martin

Chuck graduated cum laude from 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.

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.

Andrew Martin, DPT
Physical Therapist

Andrew Martin, a third generation Physical Therapist, earned a Bachelor of Health Science degree and a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Loma Linda University in California. He has years of experiencing working in outpatient orthopedics, and enjoys working with a variety of patients, including sports injuries and orthopedics. Andrew is fluent in Spanish and enjoys many outdoor activities, including snowboarding, hiking, camping, and mountain biking.

Michele Lynn Waitt Jacobs, DPT
Physical Therapist

Michele Lynn Waitt Jacobs, DPT

Michele was born and raised on the Palouse where she attended Washington State University and earned her B.S. in Kinesiology. She then attended Eastern Washington University where she earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2009. Michele moved to Yakima in 2009 and has mainly practiced in outpatient orthopedic settings with a focus on spinal care. Her passion is helping her patients by making comprehensive and individualized plans of care in order to achieve their functional goals. In her personal life, she enjoys spending time with her family, playing volleyball, watching sports, and traveling.

Bruce Whiteside, PT
Physical Therapist

Bruce Whiteside, PT

Bruce grew up in Yakima and earned his BS in Physical Therapy from the University of Washington. He has been practicing in Yakima since 1986. He specializes in treatment for shoulder problems, spine pain, joint replacements, and balance issues.

Bruce served on the Board of Physical Therapy Association of Washington and in 2003 was presented with the Distinguished Service Aware from this organization.

Bruce is an outdoor enthusiast with activities including biking, hiking, climbing, and skiing.

Chris Dunlop, PT, OCS
Physical Therapist

Chris graduated from the University of Washington in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy. He is an Orthopedic Certified Specialist. In his many years of practice, he has emphasized treatment of orthopedic, musculoskeletal and post-operative conditions. Chris is a sports fan and likes to spend his spare time with his family camping, boating, hiking, and biking.

Nancy Balash, PT, DPT, OCS
Physical Therapist

Dr. Nancy J. Balash has joined the staff of RPM-Cascade Summit Physical Therapy in Yakima.  Nancy served 27 years active duty with the USPHS, and has received numerous awards, served on multiple local, state, and federal boards and committees, and completed extensive training in many areas of Physical Therapy.  She holds BS and Doctor of Physical Therapy degrees, is Army certified in Applied Ergonomics, and APTA Board Certification in Orthopedics.  She specializes in pelvic floor evaluation and rehabilitation.

Nola Fraser, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist

Prior to moving to Yakima, Nola was a lifelong resident of The Dalles, Oregon. She graduated from Loma Linda University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy. Nola has 26 years of therapy experience with focus in hand and arm therapy, adult rehabilitation, return to work programs, and general rehabilitation in the outpatient therapy setting including 22 years in private practice. She holds therapy licenses in both Oregon and Washington state.

Mary Jepsen, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist

Mary received her MS degree in occupational therapy from the University of South Dakota in 1996 and a graduate certificate in Low Vision Rehabilitation from the University of Alabama/Birmingham in 2007.  She moved to Yakima from the Midwest in 2008 and worked until 2016 at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital, where she focused on home safety, the effects of strokes, and low vision rehabilitation.  She enjoys walking, golfing, gardening and traveling.

Lynette Miller, LMP
Licensed Massage Therapist
Born in Oregon moved to Naches valley where she graduated from Naches Valley High in 1980. Lynette started her career in the coffee business managing several different Espresso bars in Yakima. In 2007 she graduated from Cascade Summit School of Massage and has been with Cascade Summit Physical Therapy ever since. She also is the Life Met Manager and Financial Service Advisor for Farmers Insurance district offices. Lynette is the proud mother of 4 children. She loves traveling, camping, cross country skiing, and being in the mountains or beach with her family.

Angela Garcia, PTA, LMP
Physical Therapy Assistant and Licensed Massage Therapist

Shanna Hefner, PTA
Physical Therapy Assistant

Larry Varin, PTA
Physical Therapy Assistant

Amber Baumgardner
Office Manager

Theresa Arnold
Developmental Director

 
 


Cascade Summit Physical Therapy - serving Yakima and Central Washington

Home | Services | Meet the Staff | Employment | About Us | Patient Information | Contact Us

Hours

Cascade Summit Physical Therapy - Yakima
Monday through Thursday from 7:00am to 6:00pm and Friday from 7:00am to 5:00pm.

Cascade Summit Physical Therapy - Toppenish
Monday through Thursday from 8:00am to 6:00pm and Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm.

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

Cascade Summit Physical Therapy / Workforce

Yakima Location
1608 South 24th Avenue
Yakima, Washington 98902
Tel. (509) 248-6113
Fax (509) 457-8941
Toppenish Location
220 West 1st Avenue
Toppenish, WA 98948
Tel. (509) 865-5650
Fax (509) 865-5633

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