Strongsville Medical Center

Southwest General Therapy Services

18181 Pearl Rd
Strongsville, OH 44136

Phone: (440) 816-4920

Hours:

  • Monday 7:45am - 7:00pm
  • Tuesday 7:45am - 7:00pm
  • Wednesday 8:00am - 7:00pm
  • Thursday 7:30am – 7:00pm
  • Friday 8:00am – 5:00pm

Providing High-Quality Therapy Services for the Greater Cleveland Area

Strongsville Medical Center Staff

Abigail Copa, PT

Abigail Copa, PT

Abigail is a licensed physical therapist with certification in LSVT Big therapy for Parkinson’s Disease, as well as American Institute of Balance Vestibular and Concussion. She enjoys making individualized therapy plans for patients of all diagnoses so that they can meet all of their goals and return to full function.

Educational Degree

  • Bachelors Biology and Health Science
  • Doctorate of Physical Therapy

Affiliates/Professional Organizations

  • American Institute of Balance

Special Interests

Parkinson's Disease, vestibular therapy, Balance, Orthopedics

Certifications

  • LSVT
  • AIB-VRC

Carrie Hoffman, PT

Carrie Hoffman, PT

Carrie is a licensed physical therapist. She has her Master’s Degree with an emphasis in Human Performance, and was a licensed Athletic Trainer for 23 years. Carrie specializes in manual treatment including visceral manipulation. She treats the body as a whole system, considering the interrelationship of the muscles, skeletal system, organs, blood vessels and craniosacral system. Because of this holistic approach, she has had much success with chronic pain patients who have not been able to get relief with traditional treatment. In addition to her hands-on manual skills, Carrie also utilizes Smart Tools (Similar to Graston Tools) and Dry Needling. Her focus is on improving mobility while relieving pain.

Educational Degree

  • Pennsylvania State University BS 1982 HPE(Athletic Training and Kinsesiology emphasis)
  • Cleveland State University Med 1988 HPER (Human Performance Emphasis)
  • Cleveland State University 1990 Certificate in Physical Therapy

Affiliates/Professional Organizations

  • Barral Institute: Visceral Manipulation 1-5, Visceral Manipulation Dissection, Neuromuscular Manipulation 1 and Craniosacral 1-2

Special Interests

Chronic Pain, Orthopedics, Visceral Manipulation, Craniosacral Therapy

Renee Hicks, PT

Renee Hicks, PT

Renee is a doctor of physical therapy with 22 years of experience. She is a graduate of The Ohio State University and spent most of her career at St. Vincent Charity Medical Center. She has experience in outpatient orthopedics, manual therapy, home health, inpatient therapy, and rehab management. Renee is happy to join the team at Southwest General in 2023.

Educational Degree

  • Bachelor of Science and Allied Medical Professions from The Ohio State University
  • Doctorate of Physical Therapy from The University of Montana

Affiliates/Professional Organizations

  • APTA
  • OPTA

Special Interests

Reading, family, animals, Yoga

Joe Graham, PTA

Joe Graham, PTA

Joseph Graham is a Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant with a special interest in Orthopedics and Sports Medicine.

Educational Degree

  • Remington College, Associate of Applied Sciences, PTA Program

Special Interests

Orthopedic, Vestibular, Sports Medicine, LSVT-Parkinson, Strength and Conditioning

Certifications

  • LSVT
  • Myofascial and Muscle Energy Techniques

Tricia Carpenter, PTA

Tricia Carpenter, PTA

Tricia received her training in the U.S. Army Reserves. She has three decades of experience in acute care and outpatient settings. She is passionate about increasing functional mobility and balance with corrective exercises, improving quality of life. She also has a special interest in neurological conditions. Tricia brought the LSVT BIG program, which assists patients with Parkinson’s Disease, to Southwest General Health Center.

Educational Degree

  • Associates of Applied Science from St. Phillips Community College

Affiliates/Professional Organizations

  • Certified Clinical Instructor, LSVT BIG, LSVT BIG for Life

Special Interests

Arts and Crafts, Outdoor Activity, Swimming, Reading

Kristen Brown, PT

Kristen Brown, PT

Kristen is a licensed physical therapist who treats both spine and orthopedics. She is passionate about helping patients improve their function and quality of life through education, therapeutic exercise, and manual therapy interventions.

Educational Degree

  • Doctor of Physical Therapy - Youngstown State

Special Interests

Orthopedic and Sports Medicine

Rachel Birch, PT

Rachel Birch, PT

Rachel is a licensed physical therapist who specializes in pelvic health. She treats a variety of pelvic floor conditions including urinary incontinence, organ prolapse, and pregnancy and post-partum care. She has a special interest in treating women with pelvic pain from conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and other diagnoses. Rachel received her pelvic training through the Herman and Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute and loves to continue to participate in learning opportunities through this organization. She enjoys providing a holistic approach to help patients improve their quality of life.

Educational Degree

  • Doctor of Physical Therapy, Cleveland State University

Special Interests

Orthopedics, Pelvic Floor Disorders, Chronic Pelvic Pain

Certifications

  • Pelvic Rehabilitation Practitioner Certification (in progress)

Theresa Saunders, PT

Theresa Saunders, PT

Theresa is a licensed physical therapist with three decades of experience in outpatient physical therapy and sports medicine. She has a special interest in treating conditions of the knee, hip and shoulder. Theresa uses a wide variety of manual techniques and therapeutic exercise to return her patients to their previous level of function. She educates, encourages and empowers her patients to reach all of their rehabilitation goals.

Educational Degree

  • Akron University BS 1990 in Education/Athletic Training
  • Cleveland State University 1993 Certificate in Physical Therapy

Special Interests

Orthopedics, Sports Medicine

Certifications

  • Smart Tool Certification 2019

Zachary Poreda, PT

Zachary Poreda, PT

Zachary is experienced with adolescent, adult, and geriatric populations, treating a variety of post operative and conservative care diagnoses in the outpatient orthopedic setting.  He focuses on combined manual and exercise based approaches to optimize patient functional performance, attending to the total body influence of dysfunction.

Educational Degree

  • Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science, Gannon University. Erie, PA.
  • Doctor of Physical Therapy, Gannon University. Erie, PA.

Affiliates/Professional Organizations

  • Member of American Physical Therapy Association

Special Interests

Orthopedics, Sports medicine