Founders
Kevin Poe and Donna Gramont, PT, MOMT, OCS
We founded New Heights Integrative Therapy in 1997 on the principal that we can take people to new heights with their physical health. We believe
that your experience at New Heights should be one that is warm and welcoming and that your issues are important and matter to us. We want you to
feel that from the moment you enter our doors to the time you leave that your concerns are heard and that your care is personalized. We welcome
your feedback on your experience at New Heights. We have suggestion boxes at both locations, or you may email us at
PT@newheightstherapy.com
Physical Therapists
Jodie Adams, PT, DPT, ASTYM Certified (Vancouver and Portland Clinics)
Jodie earned
her doctorate degree in physical therapy from Des Moines University in 2005 with an emphasis in manual therapy. Her clinical emphasis is treating patients with
a variety of musculoskeletal injuries, including the spine and extremities. She also enjoys working with athletes of all ages. Jodie is currently continuing post-graduate
course work through the North American Institute of Orthopedic Manual Therapy and Ola Grimsby Institute. She is a certified ASTYM provider, which is an advanced
form of assisting dysfunctional tissue in remodeling and regeneration, allowing for functional restoration of the tissue. Outside of the clinic, Jodie enjoys running.
She has participated in Hood to Coast, Cascade Lakes Relay and a half marathon. She is also an avid hiker and mountain climber with the local Mazama
Mountaineering Organization.
Donna Gramont, PT, MOMT, OCS
Donna Gramont
is a Physical Therapist and Educator who specializes in tissue regeneration. Through soft tissue, joint and spinal mobilization / manipulation,
Donna is able to diagnose specific tissue injuries and assess biomechanical dysfunction within the skeletal system. Utilizing the STEP
(scientific therapeutic exercise progressions) principles her exercises are prescriptive to your specific injury.
Donna obtained her BA in Psychology from Purdue University in 1988, her BS in Physical Therapy from Health Sciences / Chicago Medical School in 1990, a Masters degree in 1997 and has completed her course work for a Doctorate for Manual Therapy from the Ola Grimsby Institute. She has also been a lab instructor for cadaver lab dissection at Pacific University for 5 years and is currently an instructor of manual therapy programs at the Ola Grimsby Institute. Her background in research includes low back pain dysfunction and the role the multifidus muscles may have in conjunction with back injuries, as well as research on the oculomotor-cervical-vestibular relationship affects after whiplash injury to the neck. She is currently published in an exercise book written for health care practitioners regarding the STEP principles. Donna trains in a martial art called Poekoelan Tjimindie Tulen. She enjoys road trips, live music, and ping pong.
Ann Porter Hoke, PT, DPT, OCS, FCAMT, FAAOMPT
Ann Porter
Hoke's special interests include acute and complex disorders of the spine and limbs and the difficulties associated with clinical instability and chronic
pain. She received her physiotherapy training in England and manual physical therapy specialty training in Canada. Her transitional doctoral degree in
physical therapy was received in 2008 from Pacific University, OR. She is a Fellow of the Canadian and the American Manual and Manipulation Academies
and is a Board Certified Orthopaedic Specialist.
During her 38 years in clinical practice, Ann has utilized the musculoskeletal diagnostic system of Dr James Cyriax and a hands-on plus client-training assessment and treatment approach derived from multiple sources including:mobilization / manipulation, muscle energy and re-educations of exercise and movement patterns. She is a master clinician who also been privileged to treat many other physical therapists.
She is a senior instructor and examiner with the North American Institute of Orthopedic Manual Therapy, Inc. and is the Director of their post-professional clinical fellowship program. She has published on spinal clinical instability, is currently doing research on upper cervical syndromes and also serves on national and international standards committees for manual physical therapy.
Maureen “Mo” Lefere, PT
Maureen Lefere has practiced
Physical Therapy for 17 years since graduating from Northern Arizona University with a Master’s in Physical Therapy in 1994. Her practice has included work
in a variety of settings including adult orthopedic and neurological rehabilitation, pediatric acute rehabilitation, and pain management. She has focused a
great deal of her professional continuing education in manual therapy, with emphasis on Maitland approaches to spinal pain. In addition, she has served
as an adjunct professor for the Physical Therapy Department at Northern Arizona University, she has taught continuing education courses in Arizona, and she
has traveled extensively in multiple 3rd world countries to provide education to their Physical Therapists. Mo believes that each client’s potential for
achievement of goals is based on their motivation, health, and her ability to appropriately diagnose their pathology and direct their care. She has great
faith in the body’s natural healing potential and believes therapists serve as guides in patient’s recovery from injury or illness. She insists on being a
strong patient advocate, being direct and honest with patient’s regarding their condition, and working as a team with the patient, their doctor, and any other
health care providers. Mo is very excited to be back in the Northwest, and looks forward to practicing with the team at New Height’s Integrative Therapy.
Marie Long, MSPT, ASTYM Certified
Marie Long graduated in 2002 with a Masters
in Physical Therapy from Des Moines University with an emphasis in Osteopathic Manual Therapy Techniques. She has developed these manual skills with
post-graduate courses through North American Institute of Manual Therapy and is focusing on completion of her Certification in Manual Therapy (CMT).
As a Certified ASTYM provider, Marie effectively treats chronic tissue injures resulting from poor movement patterns, poor healing of chronic injured
tissues, post-surgical restrictions, edema, and soft tissue restrictions.
Marie provides complete patient care through development of individualized plans integrating education, self-care techniques, home programs, and specialized manual therapy. Areas of interest include a variety of musculoskeletal dysfunctions including acute and chronic spinal pain, headaches, upper cervical pain, and the extremities. Her manual therapy techniques include muscle energy techniques (MET), joint mobilization/manipulation, strain counterstrain techniques, myofascial release, and isolated soft tissue mobilization.
Outside of the clinic, Marie enjoys spending time with her husband, family, and friends, motorcycle riding, and continual learning through reading and continuing education courses.
Chris Michels, PT
Chris Michels graduated from New York Institute of
Technology in 2000 with a Master’s degree in Physical Therapy. His clinical focus is based on the principles of wholistic medicine and locating the root cause of
neuro-musculoskeletal dis-ease. He encourages the body to heal itself through skilled hands-on techniques combined with effective therapeutic exercise to improve faulty
movement patterns, eliminate pain, and correct neuromuscular imbalance.
Chris is proficient in Jones’ Strain/Counterstrain, Total Motion Release, Mulligan Concept, Primal Reflex Release Technique, and Trigger Point Therapy. He also graduated from the Barbara Brennan School of Healing where he practiced the art of hands on healing techniques. He is currently studying herbal medicine at The School of Traditional Western Herbalism here in Portland. Outside of the clinic he enjoys spending time in nature, reading, crafting herbal medicines, and lifting weights.
Gema Sanchez, PT
Gema Sanchez specializes in the use of
gentle, indirect techniques for the treatment of pain and dysfunction syndromes such as fibromyalgia. She also works with clients to address deep and
superficial scarring associated with breast reconstruction, reduction, mastectomy, abdominal and gynecological surgeries and irradiation. Gema employs a
variety of techniques in the treatment of her clients. These include muscle energy techniques to improve alignment, Jones’ strain / counterstrain to address
tender points, Barnes’ myofascial release, Barral’s visceral mobilization to address fascial restrictions and Upledger’s craniosacral techniques to address
fascial and cranial restrictions and dysfunction.
Gema graduated from the University of Connecticut with a degree in Physical Therapy. She has worked in a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings in Connecticut, Oregon and Washington before joining us at New Heights. She has spent over 20 years working in the outpatient arena and for many years has focused on the treatment of chronic pain and pain associated with soft tissue. dysfunction syndromes. She develops individualized self management programs for each client, integrating education regarding pain anatomy and physiology, pain management strategies and techniques and carefully progressed exercise and functional mobility tasks. When not at work, Gema enjoys gardening cooking and hiking.
Kevin A. Schmidt, MSPT, CMP
Kevin Schmidt graduated from
Grand Valley State University (Michigan) with a Bachelors Degree in Biomedical Health Sciences in 1999, and a Masters of Science in Physical Therapy in 2002,
with a focus on manual therapy education based on the Scandinavian system of joint mobility, developed by Fred Kaltenborne, PT, of Germany. Since moving to Portland
in 2002, Kevin has continued to progress his skill level and education, applying manual/manipulative therapy techniques based on the workings of James Cyriax, MD (England),
Stanley Paris, PT (USA), Robin McKenzie, PT (New Zealand), and Richard DonTigny, PT (USA). In 2007, Kevin became a Certified Mulligan Practitioner [CMP], utilizing
techniques and concepts developed by renowned New Zealand Pysiotherapist Brian Mulligan. Areas of budding clinical interest also include brain physiology, central
sensitization, and the how the body and mind interact with each other, especially regarding pain output.
Of special interest includes bicycle-related fit, injury, prevention and assessment, and has performed professional bike fitting at New Heights since 2009. Kevin is an avid cyclist, commuting over 1200miles by bike in 2010, and has taken post-professional coursework dedicated to the cycling athlete. Whether you are a novice rider, daily commuter, or seasoned pro, a well-fit bicycle will result in improved performance, comfort and efficiency when riding. By applying basic bike-fit principles combined with extensive biomechanical and musculoskeletal assessment skills, you’ll have a greater advantage to achieve your cycling goals!
Outside of the clinic, Kevin enjoys spending time with his family, playing guitar, reading, and exercise. He is also an enthusiastic supporter of Portland’s craft beer scene, and is a founding member of the Green Dragon brewpub in SE Portland.
Candis Synsvoll, PT, DPT, MSPT
Synsvoll
is an expert in how movement, posture and function affect physical efficiency and wellness. She has extensive experience treating patients with acute and
chronic orthopedic conditions of the shoulder, elbow, knee and spine.
Candis earned her Masters Degree in Physical Therapy from Pacific University in 1997 and has advanced training through the Ola Grimsby Institute in joint and
soft tissue mobilizations and Scientific Therapeutic Exercise Progressions (STEP). Candis is currently chasing after her two children, though in her spare time
enjoys soccer, travel, hiking and photography.
Physical Therapist Assistants
Sue Roth, PTA
Sue Roth especially enjoys applying Pilates
and STEP (Scientific Therapeutic Exercise Progression) principles for enhanced stability, strength and coordination. She also focuses on how exercise can
benefit chronic conditions such as osteopenia / osteoporosis. She is a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant, having graduated with honors from Mt Hood
Community College in 1979. She has worked in acute care as well as inpatient and outpatient clinics. Sue is also a rehabilitation certified Stott Pilates
instructor. Sue believes in fitness for life and works toward that goal by being an avid dragon boat paddler, practicing Pilates, running and gardening.
She is a Portland native, is married and has three grown children.
Zarina Verbetskiy, PTA
Zarina Verbetskiy is a
Physical Therapist Assistant, has graduated Mt Hood Community College in 2008. She has had previous experience in acute, outpatient and pool therapy settings.
Zarina is interested in educational classes that enhance better understanding of the human kinesiology. She enjoys motivating others to increase their level of
activity through the use of therapeutic exercise programs. In her free time Zarina takes long walks, finds new recipes, and spends time with family and friends.
Zarina was raised in Portland, but was born in the Ukraine. She is fluent in Ukrainian and Russian languages. She is married and has a little girl that is learning
her mother’s native language.
Licensed Massage Therapists
Megan Bradley, LMT
Megan is a Licensed Massage Therapist,
specializing in deep tissue massage to facilitate motor vehicle accident and surgery recovery, relief of the symptoms of TMJ disorder and other pain-causing
joint disorders, and decrease in overall chronic muscle tension. She has worked in outpatient clinics and a hospital with pre and post natal women, spa and
massage clinic settings, and has assisted in teaching massage technique.
She practices with the understanding that recovery occurs best when both practitioner and patient are attentive, curious, and open to the idea of healing as a process that takes time, energy, and focus. She is also excited to work with patients outside of the massage room on the gym floor, assisting with physical therapy exercises, another vital aspect of healing.
Megan has a B.A. with Honors in English, History, and Dance/Movement Studies from Alverno College (2002) and a Teaching Certificate in K-12 Drama Education from the University of Wisconsin (2005), both in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She received her Diploma in Massage Therapy from the Providence Institute in Tucson, Arizona, and has been practicing massage since 2007.
Larry Kaufman, LMT
As a “second generation” practitioner
of Dr. Ida Rolf’s method of Structural Integration, Larry Kaufman has developed his own interpretation of the work. He blends classical SI techniques with
understandings from process-oriented and developmental psychology, Chinese medicine, restorative physical therapy and movement dynamics. He holds Basic and
Advanced certifications from the Rolf Institute in Boulder, Colorado, as well as a degree in psychology from Antioch College. Larry has practiced integrative
bodywork for more than three decades. He is a former member of the Integrative Medicine Center at St. Mary’s Hospital (Grand Junction, Colorado) and past
Director of the Weber Street Center for Process Oriented Body Work and Conflict Resolution (Colorado Springs, Colorado).
A former professional river guide, Larry has synthesized his intimate understanding of the forces of nature and the movement in our bodies. The best river guides, he points out, don’t see the rocks – they see where the river wants to go and place themselves in that line of intention. Larry sees a similar line of intention – a “main current” or “line of motion” – flowing in a vertical pathway through the body. He uses that current as an organizing principle to navigate through the twists and blocks in the body resulting from trauma, disease, repetitive motion and stress. Larry also teaches and maintains additional private practice at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine Natural Health Clinic, and in the San Juan Islands of Washington State.
Instructors
Nicole Cuevas, Pilates Instructor and Director of Pilates Conditioning
Nicole Cuevas teaches and motivates
with a concentrated focus on mind-body awareness, core stability, body balance, and enhanced performance for all types of physical activity. Her classes promote
cardio-vascular health, increased flexibility, agility and mobility, pain and tension relief, toned abdominals and improved posture. Nicole earned her
certification in STOTT-Pilates in Toronto, Canada. She also has an extensive professional dance background with the Houston Ballet, Oregon Ballet Theatre, and
the musical "Cats." She attributes the longevity of her dance career to years of training in Joseph Pilates' conditioning method. For over a decade, Nicole has
worked with other dancers, swimmers, and athletes alongside physical therapists at New Heights. Nicole is a grant recipient of the Caroline & Theodore Newhouse
Center for Dancers and The American Businesswomen's Association.