Sallie Rediske, MPT

...is a 1998 graduate of the Master of Physical Therapy program at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. She has extensive experience in a wide range of outpatient orthopedic problems and specializes in the treatment of pelvic health concerns, including chronic pelvic pain, urinary and bowel issues, pregnancy, post- hysterectomy and post-abdominal surgery management.
  Sallie is an active member of the Americal Physical Therapy Association (APTA), Section on Women's Health of the APTA, Orthopedic section of the APTA, National Vulvodynia Association, Endometriosis Association, International Pelvic Pain Society and the Alaska Chapter of the APTA.
  Sallie sees her primary role as a health educator who integrates information regarding the muscular, skeletal and nervous systems for her clients. Sallie developed Homer Physical Therapy to empower patients with knowledge to manage their neuromusculoskeletal conditions for an improved quality of life long after discharge from physical therapy. She works to integrate manual therapy techniques with functional applications of movement re-education to maximize the learning experience while in treatment.

Kennan Archer DPT

 ...is a 2009 graduate of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Northwestern University in Chicago. As a physical therapist in Soldotna, AK since 2009, Kennan has gained a great deal of experience in outpatient orthopedics. His primary expertise is in post-surgical rehabilitation and aquatic therapy. Kennan has been a member of the APTA since 2005 and is also a member of the Alaska chapter of the APTA.
  In college, Kennan enjoyed being a tutor for anatomy and physiology classes. He has a passion for helping people understand how their bodies work. He enjoys helping people get back on their feet and functioning effectively at home, at work, and in the community.
  Kennan spent most of his youth in small town Iowa with a lake in his backyard and has always wanted to live near the ocean. He has fallen in love with Alaska.

Sally Askins, DPT

 ...is a 2007 graduate of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the
University of Utah in Salt Lake City. During her time as a therapist in Utah she was invited to work with the ReAL Salt Lake Major League Soccer Team as their team therapist. She has an interest and background working with athletes of all ability levels including the ReAl Salt Lake (Major League Soccer), Utah Blaze (Arena Football League), U.S. Speed skating Team, U.S. and Canadian Ski Teams, University of Utah Soccer, Football and Basketball Teams, recreational skiers, soccer, softball, road/mountain bikers, and weekend warriors.
  Sally specializes in working with a variety of orthopedic and sports injuries as well as patients with chronic pain. She has a strong manual therapy background for treatments of the peripheral joints and the spine. Additionally, she has experience working with acute industrial injuries prior to joining Homer PT.
  In her spare time, Sally is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys mountain biking, skiing, golfing, and fishing and hiking with her husband and two dogs. Sally and her husband have relocated to Homer for their love of Alaska and to be closer to her husband's roots in Anchorage.

Beth Laffan, LMT

...graduated from the Healing Arts Center of Massage Therapy in 2008. She is trained in Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue, and other healing modalities. While in school she learned and practiced QiGong and Tai Chi as a meditative exercise.
 Beth graduated with a BA of Arts from Bowling Green State University in Ohio.
  Her sense of adventure and curious nature; her interest in new experiences and yearning to interact with different cultures called her on a four year journey throughout the US and Mexico. Beth supported her journey by working in various fields such as children's programs, community mental health systems and plant nurseries ever endeavoring to progress westward.
  Beth's intuitive and nurturing spirit is a symbol of her belief that we are all deserving of the power of touch. She looks forward to continuing her education in bodywork - opening herself up to new methods that will benefit her clients.
  Although healing touch is her passion, Beth also enjoys gardening, quiet Alaskan winters and long walks on the beach with her dogs.

Karen Nogle, RN, LMT

...and her husband Wendall left their home on Maui in 2005 and realized a lifelong dream of seeing Alaska. Upon their first view of the Bay, they looked at each other and agreed they had found their new home. They officially became "North Forkers" in September that year. In January 2006 Karen became the Acute Care Manager at South Peninsula Hospital but by the end of 2007 found herself discouraged with her work. After 26 years in a nursing career she realized she was spending more time with computers and paperwork than where her passion lies - with people. Reflecting on the 15 years she had relied on regular bodywork to relieve stress related neck and shoulder plain, Karen made a life changing decision. She returned to Maui in 2008 and attended a 600 hour massage therapy course at Maui Academy of the Healing Arts where she met her passion; providing pain relief through truly therapeutic bodywork, one on one, in a relaxing and nurturing environment. She proudly achieved her goal of earning her certificate from the State of Hawaii as a Licensed Massage Therapist. Karen feels fortunate to have been accepted into the fold at Homer Physical Therapy. She is committed to providing a safe comfortable space for her clients to achieve their goals.

Apfia Polushkin, Physical Therapist Aide

 .... was born and raised in Homer in the Russian Old Believer villages at the head of the bay. Apfia spent most of her childhood summers in Cordova and she spent winters in Homer. She enjoys hiking during the summer and snowboarding in the winter with her husband. In her spare time she usually has her head in a textbook working on her AA degree at the Kachemak Bay Campus. Her goal is to get her BA degree in Russian at the University of Alaska. Apfia enjoys helping co-workers and patients in an environment of supportive healthcare.

Fran Evarts

... certified in 1997 with AFAA (Aerobics and Fitness Association of America) as a Group Fitness Instructor and has instructed various fitness classes in Homer since that time. Her teaching background also includes specialized certifications in Kickboxing, Mat Science/Pilates and training in weight training and Cycling instruction.
  Fran’s teaching style is that of a true educator. She designs her classes to help clients increase mind-body awareness with detail to injury prevention. In 2003, she advanced her training and became certified as an AFAA Personal Trainer Fitness Counselor. With an emphasis on public health, Fran integrates information from the exercise sciences with fundamental theories of learning and basic counseling skills to help clients practice and develop healthy living habits.
  Born and raised in southern California, Fran moved to Homer after she married and enjoys raising her four children here. Aside from her class instruction she like to keep active through participation in various athletic events offered throughout the community.
  Fran believes there is a perfect balance of all aspects of life. To be open, accepting and respectful to each part is what she strives to accomplish as a mother, wife and teacher. She feels education is a lifetime endeavor and she is currently pursuing a degree in psychology as well as additional training certifications through the American College of Sports Medicine.

Karen Moore

...was born and raised in Alaska. She attended a technical school in Arizona and lived in Hawaii twice before returning home in 1989. Karen loves Alaska and says she's here to stay. In 1984 Karen earned an Associate Degree in Computer Science at Mountain States Technical Institute in Phoenix. She has a well- rounded background of experience to support her in her duties as the Front Desk Office Assistant at Homer Physical Therapy. She has worked as a computer programmer, a data entry clerk, a general office worker, office manager, head file clerk, payroll clerk, and telephone operator for a wide variety of companies.
   While taking on the 24/7 role of a Stay-at-home single parent, Karen supported her community through volunteer work. She volunteered for her church's National Office and volunteered daily at the Head Start and Elementary School.
   When her child reached elementary school age, Karen returned to work at Laidlaw Transit Inc where she worked for 7 years, leaving as a Behind-The-Wheel Trainer. Her love for children brought her to a 6 year career in child care, culminating as the owner/operator of a State Licensed Day Care Home. She has a history of several years of volunteer work as Treasurer for a Boy Scout Troup and President of the Board at Homer Children's Services. Karen's attention to detail and creativity is expressed through her beautiful quilts. She loves to read, take drives and decorate her yard.
Call Karen today to help you schedule an appointment.

Tela O’Donnell

… is born and raised in Homer and grew up playing in the woods with neighborhood kids and riding horses. From birth her mother ingrained the importance of healthy holistic living. A consciousness of the creative balance between body awareness, nourishment and nurturing the mind has been part of how she has tackled different aspects of her life such as her wrestling career and mothering.
  Tela received a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Art from Trinity College in Hartford, CT in 2007. She competed nationally and later internationally in the sport of wrestling and earned a spot on the US Women’s Wrestling team that competed in the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece.
    In 2006 Tela had her son and eventually moved back to home sweet Homer. She has experience working in the offices of a variety of local micro businesses; she ran an inclusive recreation program which gave opportunity for those with and without disabilities to play together and value each other for their uniqueness and abilities. She has also taught an introductory and orientation to exercise where she emphasized basic body positioning—which she believes is so important to everyday functioning.

Deena Benson

...is practically a lifetime resident of Homer and the vicinity. She grew up on a homestead outside of Homer and spent her early years running heavy equipment at her family’s gravel pit. She later spent years working in various capacities in WI, CO and here in Homer. Deena holds a UAA Certificate in Criminal Justice and has 13 years experience in that field. She is also a Certified Municipal Clerk and worked as a Deputy Municipal Clerk for 4 years. In between, she practiced a number of other occupations that included veterinarian assistant, college registration clerk and general manager of a large multi-service lodge.
  Deena has been praised for her professionalism, organization skills and communication skills. Deena brings compassion and a joy of working with people. She holds in high regard her belief that every being has the right to be treated with dignity.
  Deena brings to Homer Physical Therapy a varied set of skills, a wide knowledge base and a great deal of finesse. She knows just about everything there is to know about Homer and about practically everything else, as well. She is our go-to person at Homer Physical Therapy. We are very pleased to have her as our office manager.
 Deena is glad to help you with any billing and insurance issues or questions that pertain to your treatment at Homer Physical Therapy. Please feel free to give her a call today.

Vassilisa Reutov, Administrative Assistant

...joins HPT working in the office assisting with records keeping. Her experience in a variety of jobs from construction work to filling up gas helped her gain experience and put a penny in her pocket however, they were not her chosen career. In August of 2011, Vassilisa moved from Canada to Alaska, married and now lives with her husband in Homer. After getting settled, she is happy to join the HPT team and states this is possibly a life-long career. She enjoyed volunteering for several non-profit sponsors including the Terry Fox Run (3 years), the Brick-by-Brick Foundation (2 years), and the Vow of Silence. Vassilisa is a social person who enjoys being out of the house and communicating with others. Experiencing new adventures gives her a thrill, such as new foods, new styles and/or even being the first one to jump off a cliff into unsure waters. She loves winter for snowboarding. In the summer time, she loves to visit the beach. Vassilisa says that helping others makes her life more meaningful. You will see her at the reception desk occasionally. She welcomes your questions.