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The Physical Therapy Specialty Center is a division of Primary Care Partners committed to helping you return to optimal health.

The Physical Therapy Specialty Center (PTSC) uses a team approach to rehabilitation including improving strength, motion, fitness, independence in activities of daily living, and cognition deficits utilizing Physical and Occupational Therapy. Pain, injuries, surgeries, or illness can leave you feeling weak, discouraged, or hopeless both physically and mentally. Our knowledgeable team of providers offer a broad range of expertise to meet your rehabilitation needs. PTSC remains focused on the most important goal— helping you achieve your goals and live better. From prevention to treatment, The Physical Therapy Specialty Center is committed to helping you move toward your personal recovery.

CONTACT US

Physical Therapy Specialty Center
3150 North 12th Street
Grand Junction, CO 81506

Hours
Monday – Friday:
7:30am – 6:00pm

For after-hours care, please call our office to be directed to the physician on call, or call Primary Care Partners after-hours clinic, Docs on Call at (970) 255-1576.

Phone: (970) 241-5856

Fax: (970) 241-8599
www.ptscgj.com

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PHYSICAL
THERAPY

TREATMENTS FOR

  • muscle pain and weakness
  • balance ailments & fall prevention
  • vertigo & dizziness
  • orthopedic care of joints, arthritis, sprains/strains
  • back, neck, and spine care
  • post-surgery rehabilitation
  • chronic pain
  • concussion management
  • Parkinson’s disease

OCCUPATIONAL
THERAPY

TREATMENTS FOR

  • elbow, wrist, and hand injuries, Arthritis, and post-surgical conditions
  • splinting
  • activities of daily living
  • training for independent living
  • use of adaptive equipment
  • deficits as a result of multiple sclerosis, stroke, concussion, neurological disorders, etc.
PROGRAMS

THERAPISTS

Tara Albright,
Doctor of Physical Therapy

Tara Albright (pronounced Tar-ah) is a Grand Junction native who loves working in the community where she was born and raised. She graduated from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver with a clinical doctorate in Physical Therapy. Tara has been with The Physical Therapy Specialty Center (PTSC), a division of Primary Care Partners, since 2007.

Tara’s specialties include treating vertigo through dizziness management and vestibular rehabilitation. Tara is also skilled in foot and ankle pain rehabilitation, pregnancy-related low back pain, and geriatric mobility in addition to being a Certified Fall Prevention Specialist (CFPS). She is also a Certified Myofascial Cupping Practitioner and certified in Dry Needling (DN). 

Tara was a dancer and gymnast for 15 years prior to attending graduate school. She enjoys outdoor activities including swimming, waterskiing, and riding ATVs. Her favorite places to recreate are the Uncompahgre Plateau and Lake Powell.

Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, University of Northern Colorado – Greeley, CO (2003

Doctor of Physical Therapy, University of Colorado Denver – Denver, CO (2007)

Vertigo treatment through dizziness management and vestibular rehabilitation;  Foot and Ankle Pain Rehabilitation; Pregnancy-Related Low Back Pain;  Geriatric Mobility/Certified Fall Prevention Specialist (CFPS); Certified Myofascial Cupping Practitioner; and Dry Needling (DN) certification.

Brad Fenter,
Doctor of Physical Therapy

Brad Fenter graduated with his Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree from Regis University in May of 2019. His research focused on manual therapy and its effects on muscle stiffness specifically, on the foot and ankle. Brad earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in kinesiology from The University of Texas at Tyler. Before beginning his physical therapy training at Regis University, Brad taught high school students anatomy and physiology. 

Brad specializes in general orthopedics, sports medicine, and dry needling in his practice at the Physical Therapy Specialty Center (PTSC), a division of Primary Care Partners. 

Brad enjoys the outdoor opportunities that abound in Western Colorado including mountain biking, hiking, and snowboarding, and will likely be found in the mountains on his days off work.

Regis University; Doctor of Physical Therapy –  Denver, CO (2019)

The University of Texas at Tyler; Master of Science in Kinesiology – Tyler, TX (2012)

The University of Texas at Tyler; Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, magna cum laude – Tyler, TX (2010)

Orthopedic Certified Specialist, General Orthopedics and Sports Medicine; Dry Needling

Karen Hayter
Doctor of Physical Therapy

Karen Hayter graduated with her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in 2017. She takes particular interest in treating a variety of musculoskeletal conditions and she utilizes hands-on manual therapy, skilled exercise prescription, and patient education to help each patient successfully reach their goals. She has a keen interest in health and healing and looks forward to working with her patients to help them live their most active lives.

Karen’s specialties include general orthopedics and sports medicine in her practice at the Physical Therapy Specialty Center (PTSC), a division of Primary Care Partners. 

Karen is a Grand Junction native and loves life in the Grand Valley where she can work and take advantage of the numerous outdoor activities the area has to offer. She spends her free time snowboarding, hiking, camping, and biking.

Doctor of Physical Therapy, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus – Denver, CO (2017)

Bachelor of Science in Health and Wellness Promotion, University of Colorado Colorado Springs – Colorado Springs, CO (2013)

General Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

Christina Moore,
Occupational Therapist

Christina Moore received her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from Colorado State University in 1980. She has over 40 years of experience providing therapy to a variety of patients from all walks of life with a myriad of therapy needs. Through the years, she has worked in acute care hospitals, outpatient clinics, home health, and post-acute rehabilitation.

Chris specializes in the evaluation and treatment of upper extremity injuries and splinting for the elbow, wrist, and hand. She also treats arthritis and neurological conditions including Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, post-stroke, and cancer treatment. She takes particular interest in providing education and instruction in the use of adaptive equipment and fall prevention. 

Chris is an Oregon native and enjoys the coast, the mountains, gourmet cooking, and spending time with family.

Completed 12 graduate hours in early childhood development, University of Denver – Denver, CO (1982)

Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy, Colorado State University-Fort Collins, CO (1980)

Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art, University of Oregon – Eugene, OR (1980)

Upper Extremity Injuries and other conditions such as De Quervain’s, Dupuytren’s, carpal tunnel syndrome, and cubital tunnel syndrome; Elbow, Wrist, and Hand Splinting;  Rheumatoid and Osteoarthritis of the hands and wrists; Neurological Conditions such as Parkinson’s Disease and Multiple Sclerosis; Post-Stroke and Cancer Treatment; Education and instruction in the use of adaptive equipment and fall prevention.

Kari Mullaney,
Master of Physical Therapy

Kari Mullaney (pronounced Kahr-ee) has been with the Physical Therapy Specialty Center (PTSC), a division of Primary Care Partners, since 2002. She earned her Master’s in Physical Therapy from Regis University in Denver in 2000. She presented her thesis on motion sickness at a national American Physical Therapy Association conference and has positioned herself as an expert at performing the Epley maneuver for acute dizziness from Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV).

Kari has worked with fellow staff members in the evaluation and treatment of dizziness, making this service available five days a week at PTSC. Kari also has experience in working with patients who suffer from concussions. She has been an active member of the Grand Junction Concussion Taskforce for over 10 years. She works with patients of all ages in assisting in their recovery.

Kari has been a resident of the Grand Valley since 2002. Outside of work, she enjoys time with family, her two children, and friends; she also loves running, camping, hiking, boating, and skiing.

Master of Science in Physical Therapy, Regis University – Denver, CO (2000)

Bachelor of Science in Exercise Movement and Science and Sports Injuries; University of Oregon – Eugene, OR  (1994)

Dizziness; Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV); Concussion; Vestibular Rehabilitation; Orthopedic and Sports Injuries; Geriatric Mobility; and Pregnancy-Related Back Pain.

Laurel Sampson,
Master of Physical Therapy

Laurel Sampson moved from Missouri to Grand Junction in 2012. She has been a physical therapist since 2002, in four different states. She graduated from the University of Columbia in Missouri and practiced in Missouri for twelve years, where she specialized in balance training, geriatrics, and fall protection as a Certified Fall Prevention Specialist (CFPS).

In Laurel’s practice at the Physical Therapy Specialty Center (PTSC), a division of Primary Care Partners, she still focuses on geriatric mobility and balance training. She also specializes in chronic pain management, LSVT BIG for people suffering from Parkinson’s disease, and neurological impairment treatment. She has a certification in Nutrition for Chronic Pain and certification in trigger point manual therapy. 

When not at work, Laurel enjoys gardening. She also spends ample time hiking in the great outdoors and traveling in search of her next adventure.

Master of Physical Therapy, University of Missouri – Columbia, MO (2002)

Bachelor of Health Sciences, cum laude, University of Missouri – Columbia, MO

Geriatric Mobility; Balance Training; Certified Fall Prevention Specialist (CFPS); Post-Surgical Orthopedic Injuries; Chronic Pain Management; Neurologic Impairment Treatment and conditions including LSVT BIG for Parkinson’s disease.

PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSISTANTS

Mariah Sis,
Physical Therapy Assistant

Mariah earned her Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science at Colorado Mesa University in 2018 and went on to earn her Physical Therapist Assistant license at Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho in 2024. Mariah is a Grand Junction native and is excited to be back in town working with the community she grew up with. While Mariah is a new therapist she has worked in the health care field for the past 15 years with experience as a certified nursing assistant, phlebotomist, and assistant to physical therapists, chiropractors, and naturopathic doctors.

Mariah’s love for PT comes from a lifelong desire to help people live their best life through compassionate care, empowerment, evidence based practices, and her energetic personality to help patients stay motivated and continue working towards their goals. Mariah’s area of interest in physical therapy are dizziness, BPPV, balance issues, general orthopedics and exercises geared towards the geriatric community.

Mariah enjoys spending time outdoors with her fur babies, family, and friends. She loves being in the mountains, hiking, playing Frisbee golf, reading, meditating, painting, and spending time on the Colorado River during the summer months.

Associate of Applied Science – Physical Therapist Assistant, Idaho State University – Pocatello, ID (2024)
Bachelor of Science, Colorado Mesa University – Grand Junction, CO (2018)

First visit was exceptional, from the friendly and organized front desk staff to my PT provider John. John took plenty of time to both get to know my need, explain and demonstrate home therapy practices and answer any and all questions I had: a totally positive experience!

- PTSC Patient, Physical Therapy Specialty Center

I recently saw Kari after a fall. I was experiencing severe dizziness and nausea. After one visit and a very simple adjustment, I was so much better! She was kind and professional and extremely helpful to my recovery. I highly recommend her! Thanks again Kari!

- PTSC Patient, Physical Therapy Specialty Center

I have used your services several times for different issues with different therapists. I found each of them competent, friendly & kind.

- PTSC Patient, Physical Therapy Specialty Center