Staff

Finley Our Super Awesome (and soft) Mascot

*Kauai Therapy & Wellness Team*

Arlene Baker, Occupational Therapist- OTR/L LIC# OT-32

Arlene received a Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of San Jose California and has been practicing as a licensed OT on Kauai in a variety of settings since the 80’s. Arlene has a solid background in working with Kauai’s population with Geriatrics & Pediatrics. Arlene has fulfilled years of experience with hand therapy both in outpatient and home health setting and holds specialized training with NDT & dysphagia & swallowing difficulties. She is an active member of the American Occupational Therapy Association, & Occupational Therapy Association of Hawaii. She loves spending all the time she can with her grandchildren!

Mindy Murray, Occupational Therapist- OTR/L LIC# OT-293

Mindy is a long time Kauai resident and a graduate from Kauai High School & Kauai Community College. Mindy received a Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Loma Linda University in 2000. Mindy has worked for over 17 years as an Occupational Therapist on Kauai in a variety of occupational therapy/rehabilitative/Pediatric settings as well as Hand Therapy Internships at The Hand Therapy Clinic in Southern California & Whittier California Outpatient. LEARN MORE>>>

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Branan Read, Doctor of Physical Therapist – DPT, LIC# 4557

Branan is a valuable member of our Kauai Therapy family! What you will notice first is his genuine kindness and compassionate nature with his patients. Branan is a native of Alabama. He is a Hawaii registered & licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy. If you ever need any type of therapy, we hope you get the chance to work with Branan!

The patients & staff love him!

Favorite Quote: “Trust The Process.” -Joel Embiid

What made you want to become a Doctor of Physical Therapy? “I tore both ACLs playing basketball growing up, learned a lot from the PT’s who helped me through that process and wanted to be able to do that for others!”

What keeps you busy when you are not teaching Physical Therapy? Volleyball, Basketball, SCUBA, hiking, I’M GOING TO LEARN TO SURF!

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Ryan Wigley – DPT, LIC# PT-4802

Ryan’s Favorite Quote: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7

What is the essence of what you do?: “Building relationships with people and being an active part of their recovery process; from an athlete wanting to return to sport to the patient receiving a joint replacement, I enjoy the opportunity to provide people with quality care. I believe physical therapy is a key component to enhancing physical health and functional abilities.”

“I have a heart to serve and I enjoy having a hand in the recovery process. I love seeing people achieve things they didn’t know were still possible and restoring a confidence in their physical self.”

When Ryan is not treating patients, he loves to hang out with his wife, camp, hike, hammock, listen to music, eat food, golf, play spikeball, and participate in anything competitive.

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Hanna Read, Occupational Therapist – OT, LIC# 1735

Hanna graduated from occupational therapy school at Tennessee State University. She has a love for people and helping them to achieve their best with therapy.

What made you want to become a therapist? “ I originally pursued a career in business/marketing, but quickly found that money was not a huge source of drive for me. I fell in love with the focus of the independent self with OT and have not turned back since. Plus, I love hearing stories and getting to spend time with such a diverse population of people! “

What activities make you smile? “I love to play soccer and volleyball, go running with Pongo (my dog) & eat good food (especially nachos)!”

Favorite Quote “Scratch a dog and you’ll find a permanent job.” – Franklin P. Jones

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Kelly Bowes, Speech Language Pathologist, SLP LIC# 1759

Favorite Quote: “They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.” ~Carl W. Buehner

Kelly helps both children and adults with speech, language and communication. She is fascinated with phonology, dialects and the process of language development in babies so she felt that Speech Pathology would be the perfect fit for her career. She has worked closely with stroke/bran injury patients, helping to strengthen their communication skills and regain their everyday necessities of swallowing, eating and drinking.

“I think my patients appreciate my frankness and realistic goals; I love seeing people gain back what they have lost.”

Kelly’s personal interests include reading, bike riding, cooking, hanging out on the beach and spending time with friends and family.

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Liz Cole, Occupational Therapist, OT LIC # 1326

Favorite Quotes:

“Be yourself-everyone else is taken!” ~Oscar Wilde

“The important thing is this: to be able at any moment to sacrifice what you were for what you could become!” ~Charles DuBois

I find working with people with orthopedic diagnosis especially fulfilling. Whether it’s a simple or a complex injury, working with the patient to reduce pain, increase ROM and strength and restore function is enjoyable-but mostly I help people move from “I can’t” to “I can!”; that is the biggest reward there is!

I love the diversity in my job. Every day and every patient is different. Each person I treat has their own story and their own needs. I enjoy hearing that story and about those needs and then working with the patient to determine how together we can best return them to their independence.

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Daniel Lizama, Therapy Aide

Favorite Quote: “The past cannot be changed. The future is yet in your power.”

Bio to come…

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Ty Holmes, Licensed Massage Therapist HI LIC# MAT-11887

“I am a modest contribution to a goal of helping or contributing to other’s needs, whether leisure or focused, clinical therapy. I believe that everyone I cross paths with in life is a VIP!”

Ty loves having the opportunity to work with folks who like his approach; he enjoys making them feel comfortable and effectively treating their circumstances.
He is grateful to see that his patients are always looking forward to their next session.
“I’m so blessed to share the teachings of my instructors, they taught me well…”

Ty’s personal interests include massage therapy, cooking/catering, traveling, swimming, golfing and hiking.

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Heidi Fleming, Licensed Massage Therapist HI LIC# MAT-15827

In 1993, Heidi was tired of being sick. She had become sensitive and allergic to nearly everything, and lived with fatigue, migraines and brain fog. She set out to heal herself. Leaving Colorado, her journey led her to teachers from all walks of life, including the U.S., India, and Peru. In 1998, she became a licensed Zen Shiatsu Practitioner in Massachusetts.

She has since gone on to study herbal medicine, Shamanism and a number of energetic modalities, including becoming a Reiki Master. More recently, Heidi has studied the art of Lomi-Lomi massage.

Heidi incorporates all off these tools, ensuring that the session is tailored to the client’s specific needs. Her goal is to assist others in realizing their full potential in health, and otherwise. Each session focuses on bringing one into a deeper state of balance, through body, mind and spirit.

Heidi now lives nestled in the lushness of Kauai, with her husband, son and dog.

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Devin Darby, Clinic Director

“I started working in healthcare volunteering for a natural path.”

Working in business prior, Devin noticed more fulfillment in healthcare. From there, he wanted to study western medicine as well. After studying RN school on the mainland, he found a way to bring joy back to patients’ lives.

“It’s not about the ‘pain’ or ‘Range of Motion’, it was more about ‘what were you able to do before that you can’t do now?’…then let’s start there!” In business he has always stuck behind the term “find a need, and fill it”. Here on Kauai, it’s beautiful; there is a need to be filled and that’s getting out and enjoying Kauai and the activities everyone loves…PAIN FREE!

“I take being a Director of this clinic very seriously because the folks here on Kauai are my ohana. I will continue to fill whatever need that I can for the community.”

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Lei Laranio, Client Coordinator

Bio to come…

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Northern Idaho

Mindy Murray, Occupational Therapist- OTR/L LIC# ID OT-1174

Mindy graduated from Loma Linda University in 2000. Her mother is an Occupational Therapist as well and thus Mindy knew at a very early age that she wanted to follow in her mother’s footsteps.

Mindy was born right here in Sandpoint. She had an amazing childhood- always outside with a dog or two in tow on Pine St. Loop! Her passion was to return to her roots with a purpose to serve the community of Northern Idaho. “Part of my heart is right here in this tiny town & with these beautiful & kind people!”

Her husband & 3 children relocated here from Kauai, Hawaii & built a home right in town & are loving having seasons for the first time ever!

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Garrett Fischer, DPT, Cert. DN – ID LIC # PT-5348

Garrett joined Kauai Physical Therapy in 2018. Originally from Rockford Illinois, he received his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Carroll University in Wisconsin in 2017.

He has advanced course work in post-concussion injuries, manual therapy, and holds certifications in dry needling (Cert. DN.) and concussion health/vestibular rehab (V2FIT). His focus on manual therapy has him currently working toward his SMT certification through the Spinal Manipulation Institute.

Garrett’s coming to Idaho wasn’t just by accident. Having a passion for the outdoors, the Great Northwest piqued his interest immediately. He is an avid snow sports and fishing enthusiast. His fishing adventures are the envy of patients and co-workers alike, and his exploits and BIG fish are clearly documented in the photos he shares

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Jessie Hunt, Licensed Massage Therapist ID LIC# MAS-3349

Jessie loves her horses, singing and aromatherapy.

Jessie’s Philosophy: “Mind, body, spirit medicine is the most effective type of healing.”

What Jessie loves about working at Kauai Therapy & Wellness: “Building personal relationships. It is the most gratifying, peaceful feeling to witness someones health improve with my help. I wanted to be a massage therapist for a long time so its surreal I’m finally here.”

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Brooke Rieger, Clinic Coordinator

“I’m a Southern Girl in an Idaho World. After years of back and forth, I’ve been in both places the same amount of time and consider myself a ‘dual citizen.’”

Brooke’s free time is spent with her amazing family. She feels absolutely blessed to be a part of the Kauai family and looks forward to serving our patients.

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Jon Gardunia, Doctor of Physical Therapy, DPT, ID LIC# 2549

Jon is a graduate from Brigham Young University & Idaho State University with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. He teaches at NIC in Coeur d’Alene, but since he loves to treat patients, he may be seen from time to time filling in at our Ponderay location.