Staff
Rick Alexander, PT
Clinic Director
Rick graduated from California State University, Hayward with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education in 1988. He continued on to the University of California, San Francisco, receiving his Physical Therapy degree in 1990. He has worked in several South Lake Tahoe physical therapy clinics, opening his own private practice in 2001. In 2004 he joined Emerald Bay Physical Therapy and in February 2008, took over ownership of the clinic. As director, he has been actively remodeling the clinic approach. The current direction of the clinic is wellness oriented, incorporating a diverse array of complementary methods of treatment including acupuncture and Pilates. Rick continues to expand his knowledge in the field of physical therapy by taking continuing education courses each year with emphasis on manual therapy for the spine and extremities. In his spare time, Rick enjoys skiing, hiking, running, and spending time with his family and friends.
Joann Dohallow, PT
Physical Therapist
Joann is an experienced athletic trainer and physical therapist, receiving her degrees from Case Western Reserve and Northwestern University, and has worked as an instructor at Cal State Hayward. Joann solely treated professional and collegiate athletes for 6 years before opening her first sports and orthopedic clinic in San Francisco. After 30 years, she's happily retired to Lake Tahoe and is working part-time at EBPT. Her particular area of interest is wellness and physical therapy for cancer patients. Joann loves to travel, walk everywhere, and gets excited when Northwestern can beat a Big 10 team.
Hillary Dembroff, OTR
Occupational Therapist
Hillary received her BS degree in Occupational Therapy from San Jose State University in 1979. In 1986, she began specializing in Pediatrics at Oakland Children's Hospital. She has been serving the Tahoe pediatric population since 1991. Hillary finds balance and joy in many things, such as loving relationships, rowing, swimming, hiking, biking, dancing, reading, making jewelry at her RearView Miracles studio, music, traveling, and being in awe of this Heaven on Earth where we live!
Laurie Metzger, PTA
Physical Therapy Assistant
Laurie graduated in 1995 from De Anza College with a PTA degree. She is California and Nevada licensed and currently works in South Lake Tahoe and Minden. She also has experience working in North Tahoe, Santa Cruz, and Eureka. She volunteers as a 4-H baking leader and enjoys spending time with her family, snow skiing, backpacking, and kitesurfing in Baja.
Nick Ellis
PT Technician
Nick obtained a degree in tourism in the UK and decided to travel the world teaching snowboarding. He is an experienced PT Tech/Aide, and is looking forward to attending PTA school next summer and returning to Tahoe to work in the field. When Nick is not snowboarding, you can find him riding the local mountain bike trails.
Amanda Schramm
Office Manager
Amanda is a graduate of Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, IN with a degree in Anthropology and Women's Studies. After study abroad in Italy and Haiti, her long-term hope is to be able to provide medical care abroad in addition to her job here. She enjoys watching and playing all sports, especially hockey, and in her spare time enjoyes snowboarding, traveling, live music, and will always be rooting for Chicago sports teams and Notre Dame football.
Scott Nanamura, LAc
Licensed Acupuncturist
Scott has his Master's Degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine, offering comprehensive, alternative healthcare here at EBPT. He specializes in Acupuncture and herbal medicine, nutritional counseling, tai chi, and yoga. Contact Scott at 530-541-6392 or stop by to meet him in person and find out more about his practice. Scott is a State and National Board certified acupuncturist.
Rhonda Beckham
Certified Pilates Coach/ Personal Trainer
Rhonda is trained in the Stott method of Pilates. She teaches both individual and group classes. Contact Rhonda at 530-208-6369 to schedule a consultation and start your Pilates training. You can also visit www.tahoetrainer.com to read more about Rhonda and Pilates training.
Cindy Gaffney
The Heart of Fitness/ ACE Certified Personal Trainer
Cindy is a certified fitness instructor, personal trainer, aquatic fitness specialist, and is certified in weight management. Here at Emerald Bay Physical Therapy, she specializes in group aquatic fitness classes. She trains all ages and abilities, and especially those ages 45 and older. Learn more about Cindy at www.heartoffitness.com, call her at 530-544-5443, or come in and check out her aquatic fitness classes!.
Allison Arcuri
Yoga Instructor
Ally is a trained yoga instructor. She graduated from California State University, Fullerton in December 2010 with a Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology. She emphasized Exercise Physiology and Health and Fitness Promotion and intends to pursue both in the future. Currently, Ally is studying to become a Personal Trainer. She enjoys teaching and doing yoga, playing volleyball and training to run marathons.
Moose
Therapy Dog/ Office Guardian
Moose is an exceptionally friendly and mellow Alaskan Malamute who joined the EBPT staff in February 2009. His specialty is making people smile and helping them relax. He loves running, playing in the snow, long naps, and chasing anything that moves.