MEET THE TEAM
CLINIC DIRECTORS
Anthony joined Spooner in August of 2015 after completing an APTA accredited Orthopedic Residency program at LSU Health Shreveport. Specialized mentorship throughout his first year of practice allowed him to refine his skills as a therapist and gain a better understanding of the complex movement of the human body that will allow him to treat you to the best of his ability. As your therapist he brings enthusiasm and passion to help you meet your unique needs and goals. Read more
Parker received his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Trine University in 2021. His ambition and interest in the profession began as a high school student when completing his own physical therapy and job shadowing in his community. His dedication to helping athletes stems from years of playing and enjoying sports including soccer, basketball, and baseball. Read more
My name is Abby Burger and I joined the Spooner Avondale team in 2021. I was born and raised in Iowa before moving to Colorado to attend PT school at Regis University in 2013. While at Regis I completed clinical education in orthopedics and neurologic rehab. I also spent one month in Huancayo, Peru working with local physical therapists to treat children with disabilities. I’ve been practicing in outpatient orthopedics for the entirety of my career and have taken continuing education courses in manual therapy, clinical education, and functional dry needling. Read more
Ryan grew up in Gig Harbor, WA and moved to Arizona in 2005 to attend Arizona State University. Upon graduation, he became a certified strength and conditioning specialist affording him opportunities to train and coach youth athletes from elementary to the high school level. Read more
Pete joined Spooner in 2013 after two years of experience in outpatient orthopedics. Pete attended Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska for his Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and continued at Creighton University for his Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree, graduating in 2011. He enjoys treating athletes of all ages, both recreational and competitive. Pete’s goal is to continue to grow and learn as a physical therapist while providing each of his patients with the best possible care and assist them in achieving their goals. In his spare time Pete enjoys playing and watching sports and spending time with his wife. Read more
Ben is originally from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and has a strong background in athletics. As a former college wrestler, he continues to utilize his energy to empower patients to accomplish their goals. He employs a pragmatic approach towards therapy utilizing a wide variety of evidence based techniques and interventions. Ben is well versed in spinal and peripheral joint manipulation. He addresses soft tissue dysfunction and pain through instrument assisted soft tissue techniques such as cupping and dry needling. Read More
After earning her doctorate in Physical Therapy at UT Southwestern, Lindsay was accepted into the prestigious Orthopedic Residency program at UT Southwestern where she specialized in chronic pain, orthopedic conditions, sports medicine, and manual techniques. She became a Board Certified Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy in 2020. Her interests include return to sport rehabilitation, ACL recovery, and total joint replacement pre and post-surgical rehabilitation. She is trained in a variety of treatment techniques including joint manipulation, concussion rehabilitation, chronic pain management, and blood flow restriction. Read More
Garrett Wasson joined the Spooner team in June 2016. Garrett is an avid runner and competed in Cross Country and Track during high school. Garrett continues to run and has a personal passion for fitness and exercise. Garrett received his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2016 from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in North Chicago, Illinois. Read More
“As an ex-collegiate runner I understand the frustration associated with being unable to participate in activities that bring enjoyment, from running a marathon to walking a dog, because of pain or other functional limitations. I enjoy working with everyone from high school and collegiate athletes to post-operative patients, with a goal of reducing pain and achieving return to full functionality for everyone.” Read more
Jeremy earned his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from A.T. Still University located in Mesa, Arizona in 2013. His studies focused on orthopedic rehabilitation, manual therapy, corrective and therapeutic exercises, and biomechanical function. Jeremy started his college education at North Iowa Area Community College earning an Associates Degree transferring him to the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, IA. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Movement Exercise Science in 2010. He was a member of the UNI Exercise Science Interest Group that carried out multiple sports performance and rehabilitation studies on campus. Read more
Steven Esquer joined the Spooner PT team at the Glendale clinic in December 2021. He was born and raised in Southern California and has lived all over. Sports have been a vital part of his life. Steven enjoys Rugby, MMA, Basketball, Volleyball, and playing the trumpet (yes a band geek) but his major focus is on playing and coaching Baseball and Football. Steven started playing baseball at 4 years old and continued to play at a competitive level until the age of 24. Read more
Allie began working at Spooner in 2014 as a physical therapy technician and FIT Coordinator. During this time Allie realized her desire for continuing education and wanted to further her career through higher learning. She returned as a Physical Therapist Assistant in July 2017 after completing her educational program at Pima Medical Institute Read more
Clayton Hunter joined the Spooner team at the Glendale clinic in April of 2008 after completing his Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Clayton was raised and attended high school in the West Valley. He obtained his undergrad degree from BYU in Exercise Science. Clayton enjoys spending time with his wife, who is a stay at home mom, and three beautiful daughters. His other interests include movies, MMA, watching all kinds of sporting events. He received his orthopedic certification specialty in the summer of 2012. Read more
Jessica has been a physical therapist Since 2005. She loves her career and all it has taught her. To be a physical therapist that really makes a difference in someone’s life requires the person behind the “PT” title to grow and change and learn from every colleague, every job, and every patient. With her faith at her forefront, she always allows new experiences and adventures to guide her as a therapist, as a mom, a wife, and ultimately, as a person.. Read more
Brian grew up in Ahwatukee where he spent his time playing soccer, golf and just being outside. He earned his Bachelors Degree in Exercise Science from NAU in 2017 where he spent time exploring, hiking, and teaching group fitness classes such as boxing, spin, and TRX. After graduation he moved back to Phoenix where he attended NAUs DPT program at the Phoenix Biomedical Campus. Read More
Ryan has been practicing since 2015 and joined the Spooner team in late 2017. With recent completion of his fellowship in Applied Functional Science, Ryan has enjoyed treating all movement dysfunctions involving high school athletes to post-operative patients of all ages. In efforts to further address the needs of his community, he completed additional training related to the biomechanics of golf with certification in Functional Golf Systems. It is Ryan’s priority to understand the needs of each individual that he has the opportunity to work with in order to help them achieve their personal goals. Read more
Carrie Yaeger began her career at Spooner Estrella in 2011. Prior to becoming a PT, she was born and raised in Las Vegas, NV and went on to pursue her passion as a competitive tennis player and played for Gonzaga University. In 2014, she returned to Denver, where she previously earned her DPT degree, and worked for the company formerly known as Howard Head Sports Medicine, specializing in sports injury rehabilitation and assisting weekend warriors in returning to the activities they love. She also gained extensive experience treating patients post hip arthroscopy and recognizing the link between the hip and pelvic floor. Carrie then pursued her passion of pelvic health by managing a pelvic rehab clinic in Boulder, CO prior to returning to the Phoenix valley to be closer to family. She more recently achieved her Pelvic Rehab Certification. Carrie believes in treating the patient as a whole to most effectively help them return to function, and is determined to link orthopedic rehab with pelvic rehab. She is dedicated to continual education to develop the most advanced skills for treating her patients. Read more
Bri graduated from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT, in 2008 with her undergraduate degree in Athletic Training. She continued at Sacred Heart University to obtain her doctorate degree in physical therapy in 2011. Bri spent 3 years working at an outpatient facility with primarily a sports medicine population, however, found herself gravitating towards working with the geriatric population and loving every minute. Read more
Paul was born and raised in southern California and moved to Arizona over 20 years ago and has remained ever since. After finishing his Bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training and becoming a Certified Athletic Trainer, he studied at Northern Arizona University where he completed his Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. Paul has completed an orthopedic manual therapy program learning how to better treat patients with spinal and orthopedic conditions. He also became a sports clinical specialist helping He is passionate in helping athletes of all ages achieve their rehabilitation goals and recently became a board certified sports clinical specialist. Read more
Audra Crossland grew up locally in Phoenix, Arizona. While attending Moon Valley high school, she participated in dance, cheer and various volunteer opportunities. She went on to receive her Bachelors in Life Science with a Minor in Communication from Arizona State University (West Campus) in Glendale, Arizona, in 2013. More recently, she completed her Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree at Midwestern University in Glendale, Arizona. While attending Midwestern she had the opportunity to travel to Guatemala to provide physical therapy treatments to the underserved population. This was an eye-opening experience that allowed her to give back in a major way. Read More
Joey Weber is a native of New Orleans, LA. He joined the Spooner team at the central Phoenix clinic in September 2016. During his doctoral work, he took advanced coursework in the evaluation and treatment of the spine, as well as the extremities. Joey has a strong background in manual therapy, and received advanced training through the University of St. Augustine. Eventually, he would like to obtain his manual therapy certification. Read more
Charles joined the Scottsdale team in 2019 after spending a few years managing a physical therapy clinic in Redmond, WA. Charles graduated with his Bachelors in Athletic Training and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Clarke University in Dubuque, IA. During his time at Clarke University, Charles worked with multiple collegiate sports teams as an athletic trainer for injury prevention, sports performance and rehabilitation. In doing so, he gained a great deal of experience in treating a wider variety of orthopedic and sports injuries. Charles also competed on the basketball team and the track and field team. Read more
Over the past eight years, Charu has developed her practice of physical therapy with the understanding that every patient is unique and takes a multi-faceted approach to developing an effective treatment plan. Her dedication to progressing her rehabilitative knowledge has led her to advanced training in the pelvic floor and breast cancer rehabilitation, and a certification in Dry Needling. Charu believes practicing physical therapy combines both the art and skill of blending treatment with healing in order to deliver optimal well being of the mind, body and spirit. Her passion is to enhance her patient’s vitality by helping them attain their functional movement goals. Read more
Kaitlyn attended James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA where she earned her B.S. in Athletic Training. Her studies and clinical experiences during her time at JMU fueled her passion for rehabilitation and diving deeper into chronic injuries, performance and wellbeing, along with the multifaceted approach to treating athletes. Her next stop was the University of Maryland-Baltimore where she received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy. Read more
Derrick DeBenedetto grew up in Buckeye, AZ, and attended high school at Scottsdale Christian Academy where he participated in basketball, football, cross country, and golf. He moved to Santa Barbara, CA, to receive his Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology at Westmont College and returned to his beloved Arizona to earn his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at Northern Arizona University (Go Lumberjacks!). Derrick loves working with patients of all ages and abilities. His interests are in general orthopedic rehab, vestibular rehab (vertigo), and postural dysfunction. Derrick’s ambition is to help his patients achieve their personal and functional goals and enrich their lives through service, influence, and empowerment. Read more
Holly joined the Spooner Hand Therapy team in December 2013. She gained passion for hand therapy through her specialized courses in anatomy, upper extremity rehabilitation, and splinting while attending Midwestern University. While attending Midwestern University, she had an internship with Spooner, and was able to train and practice under Ty Pehrson, MOT/L, CHT. Holly received her Certified Hand Therapy credentials in 2017. Read more
Amanda joined Spooner as a technician at the Glendale clinic in 2012. After completing her DPT at A.T. Still University in 2016, she returned to the Glendale team as a full fledge therapist. She moved up to Clinic Director of the Spooner Surprise City Center location upon its opening in 2022. Read more
