Therapydia Kona

Bio:
Originally from Sandusky, Ohio, Tyler attended The Ohio State University where he pursued a degree in Athletic Training. During his training, he worked with collegiate athletes and completed an internship with the Baltimore Ravens. After graduating, Tyler attended Duke University where he received his Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Upon receiving his doctorate, he pursued more education as an Orthopedic Resident with Proaxis Therapy in South Carolina. Tyler is a Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist, passing a national examination demonstrating advanced knowledge and understanding in Orthopedics.

Tyler moved to the Big Island in 2014 and has embraced the culture and community. He loves to surf, hike, play bike polo, and go for runs with his dog, Rufio. The Big Island is home to Tyler and he hopes to have a positive impact on this community for years to come!

Education:
The Ohio State University for Athletic Training (‘09)
Duke University for Doctorate of Physical Therapy (‘13)
Proaxis Therapy Orthopedic Residency (‘14)


PT speciality/focus area:
Orthopedics and Sports Physical Therapy


Activities:
Surfing, Hiking, Swimming, Kayaking, Free Diving, Bike Polo, Climbing, Slacklining, Traveling, Exploring, Playing Acoustic Guitar

Bio:
Stephanie fell in love with the Big Island when she did one of her physical therapy internships at the Life Care Center of Kona and knew it would be a great place to practice physical therapy.

Stephanie is originally from Michigan, but moved to the north east coast of Florida when she was 8. She developed a passion for surfing and the ocean from growing up in Florida and spent a few years in between summers coming home from college as an Ocean rescue lifeguard. She also participated in junior lifeguards, teaching kids to surf, taking them ocean kayaking and teaching them the ropes of being a lifeguard. Growing up, she was also a cross country runner and avid tennis player. She has a passion for nature, outdoors and adventure, and after graduating undergrad she did a 1200 mile bike tour from Eugene OR to Los Angeles CA.

Her interests in PT include orthopedics and neurologic population. She has already taken all of the manual therapy courses (continuing ed) offered by the University of St. Augustine, and plans to get Manual Therapy Certified after gaining more experience with orthopedic patients. She loves treating a variety of patients ranging from the orthopedic to the neurological patient population and to provide them with the tools they need to move and feel better to improve their overall quality of life. Her future goals are to become MTC certified, SFMA certified, and potentially certified in yoga for health professionals.

Education:
Doctorate of Physical Therapy, University of St. Augustine, 2016
Bachelors of Science in Exercise Science, Florida Atlantic University, 2013

Clinical focus:
General outpatient practice with a specialized interest in orthopedics and neurology


Leisure Activities:
Surfing, biking, hiking, running, kayaking, stand up paddling, traveling, chasing sunsets : )

Bio:
Kate is originally from the northeast, specifically New York and Philadelphia, but has spent her most recent years living in St. Louis, Missouri. She, like Stephanie, never wanted to leave the Big Island during a physical therapy internship at the Life Care Center of Kona. She was more than happy to leave the Midwest and return to the Big Island to practice physical therapy.

Kate grew up in a large family with four brothers and has always been active. She grew up playing soccer, basketball, and flag football with her focus being primarily on soccer. She played varsity soccer all four years of high school and continued to play on a club team at Hofstra University, where she received her B.S. in Biology in 2015.

She then returned to St. Louis to pursue her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at Washington University. Upon graduation in 2018, Kate moved to the Big Island. She is glad to call Kona her home and hopes to continue educating and treating the community to help patients move better and feel better.

Education:
B.S. in Biology, Hofstra University, 2015Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), Washington University in St. Louis, 2018

Clinical Focus:
General outpatient orthopedics and neurology. Specialized interest in return to work/sport.

Leisure Activities:
Running, yoga, hiking, kayaking, camping, attempting to surf, soccer, and playing with dogs.

Bio:
Becky is originally from Albuquerque, NM but moved to Chicago after high school and spent the better part of 12 years living in Chicago. Becky spent her time in Chicago attending college, working in risk management for a law firm, traveling the world, and playing rugby. Through rugby, Becky grew a love for physical therapy and decided to switch her career path.

Becky attended Washington University in St. Louis, where she earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2017. Since graduation, Becky worked as a travelling physical therapist, serving offices and patients across the United States. Becky also volunteered in Ethiopia for 5 weeks, to assist in delivering master's level physical therapy education to students at Mekele University. Becky moved to Kona in June 2019 to join the Therapydia team in delivering quality care to the residents of the Big Island.

Becky's clinical interests include generalized outpatient orthopedics and chronic pain conditions. Becky is interested in pursing women's health certification in the future.

Education:
B.A. in Politics from Lake Forest College (2006), Doctor of Physical Therapy from Washington University in St.Louis (2017)

Clinical Focus:
Outpatient orthopedics, chronic pain

Leisure Activities:
Swimming, hiking, weight lifting, reading, traveling, photography, and retired rugby player turned rugby fan.

Bio:
Samantha Guerpo is the office manager at Therapydia Kona. Originally from South Florida, she now calls the Hawaiian Islands home. She is a new resident of Hawaii coming from Oklahoma where she was the Marketing Coordinator for a very successful real estate firm.
After enduring a back injury, Samantha learned the importance of physical therapy and the overall success by being consistent with the exercises and instruction from the physical therapist.

Activities and Community:
As a new resident to the Big Island, she enjoys site-seeing, eating local food and going to the beach. In her spare time, she does graphic design and enjoys playing the acoustic guitar.

Bio coming soon