Lukas Tvedt

Clinic Director - PT, DPT, OCS

Dr. Tvedt received his Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology with a minor in Psychology from California Polytechnic State University, in San Luis Obispo, CA. His Doctor of Physical Therapy degree was from the #1 rated Physical Therapy program in the US, at The University of Southern California in Los Angeles, CA. As a licensed physical therapist Dr. Tvedt graduated from an American Physical Therapy Association accredited Orthopaedic Clinical Residency, and has earned a board certification in the specialty of orthopaedics (OCS) through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. He continues to be an active member of The American Physical Therapy Association, and APTA’s Orthopaedic Section. While attending Cal Poly, SLO, Lukas conducted independent published research. It was on the topic of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy titled, “Clinical Effectiveness of Monochromatic Infrared Energy and Therapeutic Exercises on Balance, Gait, & Protective Sensation in Patients with Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy.” He also assisted research in the Motor Behavior/Learning Lab at USC. Dr. Tvedt continues to instruct other clinicians locally and nationally on the topics of manual therapy for the spine & sacroiliac joint, as well as the hip/lower extremity. Lukas developed an anatomy & physiology based curriculum utilized internationally by a renowned Pilates organization for certification of its instructors. He currently serves as a clinical mentor within an APTA accredited orthopaedic residency for licensed physical therapists seeking advanced clinical practice with Team Movement for Life, & The University of Southern California.

Dr. Tvedt has over 13 years clinical experience in the outpatient realm, and is the clinic director of Movement For Life’s Ft. Lowell, and Tanque Verde locations treating patients ranging from weekend warriors to Major League Baseball, Mixed Martial Arts, ballet dancers, golfers, football, tennis and volleyball players, Ages 1-95. He holds an adjunct faculty position with Northern Arizona University’s Department of Physical Therapy & Athletic Training. Dr. Tvedt also sits on the Clinical Advisory Board for NAU’s entry level Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program, which is in place to further support their mission and continue efforts to enhance clinical education for tomorrow’s leading clinicians.

Outside the clinic, Lukas serves to raise money for local charities as a member of The New Centurions, and as a charter member of the Arizona Bowl Committee and Medical Services Director. Dr. Tvedt was honored in 2016 with the Tucson Hispanic Chamber’s Top 40 Under 40 distinction for professionals serving the greater Tucson region, and The 2020 Arizona Bowl Volunteer of the year. However, his favorite job is being a father to his 3 wonderful boys.

Education

University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA

Doctor of Physical Therapy

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, CA

Bachelor of Science, Kinesiology with a minor in Psychology

Irene Urenda

Lead PT Technician

Irene is a certified physical therapy technician graduate of Pima Medical Institute and has been employed at Ft. Lowell Physical Therapy since 1992. She is highly experienced in all aspects of clinic work and enjoys working closely with patients.

Irene has been married to her husband Bobby for 32 years and they have 3 grown children and 4 grandchildren. During her time away from work she enjoys reading, puzzles, watching her grandkid’s sporting events, and baseball. She is an avid LA Dodger fan.

Daniel Musselwhite

PT, DPT, ATC

Dr. Daniel Musselwhite’s interest in sports and orthopedics began at a young age while participating in baseball, swimming, and recreational frisbee. After an injury in high school that sent him to physical therapy, he became interested in the field. With a passion for sports and for helping people, a new career pursuit began.

As a Division 1 scholarship swimmer at the University of Evansville in Indiana, he earned his degree in Athletic Training in combination with many athletic achievements. In 2014, Daniel began his graduate work at the top-ranked physical therapy division at Washington University of St. Louis in order to earn his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree to accompany his Athletic Training Certification. While in the program he gained valuable experiences in acute care, in-patient, neurological physical therapy, and outpatient practice. Following graduation, Dr. Musselwhite began his clinical practice in Tucson, Arizona at Athlon Physical Therapy.

While continuing to pursue clinical exploits, Daniel completed his Impact Trained Physical Therapist Certification (ITPT) in 2018, which is a specialty certification for physical therapists to manage patients with a concussion from adolescence to late adulthood. He also earned post-doctoral clinical certification on the topic of Pelvic Health through the American Physical Therapy Association’s Certificate Achievement in Physical Therapy- Pelvic (CAPP - Pelvic) level 1 in 2019.  Dr. Musselwhite continues to pursue further education and certification in pelvic floor dysfunctions within his clinical practice, in order to best aid the community in managing a common issue that is vastly under-served and often goes untreated. Currently, he serves on the Clinical Development Committee as a representative of the Tucson Region for the National Award-Winning Team Movement for Life. TMFL guides the excellence in clinical practice of over 100 active physical therapists/physical therapist assistants across the nation through continuing education and ensuring high levels of research on clinical decision-making. Daniel remains an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association and is a member of the Special Interest Group for Pelvic Health. He is also certified in Dry Needling.

His current interests in physical therapy include Student athletics, concussions, orthopedics, pelvic floor dysfunction, as well as recreational athletics. 

Outside of the clinic, Daniel likes to participate in Cross Fit, hiking, and consuming copious amounts of good coffee. 

Education
Washington University in St. Louis – School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri
Doctor of Physical Therapy, May 2017

University of Evansville, Evansville, Indiana
Bachelor of Science, Athletic Training, May 2014

Kinzie Rhoades

PT, DPT

Kinzie was born and raised in Stillwater, Oklahoma where she grew up playing soccer and powerlifting. She earned her Bachelor of Nutritional Sciences from Oklahoma State University and worked as both a pharmacy and physical therapy technician. The day following graduation, Kinzie married her high school sweetheart and move to Phoenix, Arizona. Kinzie went on to earn her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Franklin Pierce University. While in school, Kinzie was the Graduate Assistant for her program where she fell in love with educating and assisting students in mastering their manual skills. She relocated to Tucson to be with her husband who is a firefighter for the Northwest Fire District. She is eager to begin her new journey with the Athlon Physical Therapy Team. She enjoys treating all patients with her primary interests in Parkinson’s Disease, neurological conditions, orthopedics, sports medicine, and pediatrics. Outside the clinic, Kinzie enjoys traveling, hiking, and powerlifting with her husband, playing fetch with their dog Baker and spending time with her family and friends.

Education

Franklin Pierce University, Goodyear, Arizona

Doctorate of Physical Therapy, February 2020

Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma

Bachelor of Nutritional Sciences, Option: Allied Health, May 2017

Alissa Rothpletz

PTA

Alissa was born and raised in Scottsdale, AZ, then moved to Tucson in 2004 to attend the University of Arizona (both her parents are Wildcats). She was drawn to a
career in Physical Therapy due in part to my involvement with the Disability Resource Center and Adaptive Athletics Department for students and community
members at the U of A. Alissa has also enjoyed volunteer experiences with wheelchair rugby, wheelchair basketball, and working with whole life therapy summer camps
in Rhode Island and New York for individuals with spinal cord injuries. Following graduation, she began working at (then) Fort Lowell Physical Therapy as a technician, and maintained an ongoing connection to the company. Subsequently, she returned to school and obtained her certification and license as a Physical Therapist Assistant in 2016.

She is looking forward to using her broad experience and education to work with patients to help them achieve their therapy goals, and hopes to make them smile while doing it! In her leisure time, she enjoys playing recreational soccer with her husband Mark, bicycling, traveling and exploring new places with good food, and spending time with her two dogs.

Claire Pavlak

PT, DPT

Claire is a native upstate New Yorker who grew up in the Catskill Mountains. She initially earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Master of Science in Education for School Counseling at the State University of New York College at Oneonta before deciding to pursue a career in physical therapy. Claire moved to Flagstaff, Arizona in 2019 and earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Northern Arizona University in December 2021. An avid weightlifter, hiker, and overall outdoor enthusiast, Claire loves helping patients feel empowered by their bodies so that they can get back to the activities they enjoy.

Education

Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ

Doctor of Physical Therapy, December 2021

State University of New York College at Oneonta

Master of Science in Education - School Counseling (K-12), May 2017

State University of New York College at Oneonta

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, May 2015

Diana Doherty

Front Office Administrator

Moved from Louisiana in 1998. Fell in love with the many outdoor activities Tucson had to offer and decided to make it home. My biggest joys in life are spending time with my family and watching sports; especially the Dallas Cowboys! I previously was an office manager for Debra Walter, M.D. for 19 years. My most rewarding experience came from being a part of the patients’ care. Each one became like family to me and knew that whatever needs they had, I would go above and beyond to help. In my spare time, I also enjoy photography, reading, and cooking.