Dave and Beth decided to jump off the cliff and open Acceleration Physical Therapy in March of 2007. With over 40 years of combined physical therapy experience and 12,000 new evaluations, Dave and Beth have seen almost every kind of orthopedic injury. We understand that the most important part of physical therapy is listening to our patient’s story to understand where they come from and where they would like to go. In this healthcare environment, where face time with your practitioner is getting harder to come by, it is nice to know that all of your questions will be addressed.
David Jeter, MPT, COMT
Dave moved to Spokane in 1995 to study Biology at Eastern Washington University. He was accepted to the EWU Physical Therapy program, and graduated in 2001. Dave earned his COMT certification from the North American Institute of Manual Therapy. While Dave is a skilled manual therapist, he feels that some of his best work is performed at his barbecue in his back yard. He enjoys mountain biking, adventure racing, triathlons, fly-fishing, golfing, and most any other outdoor activity that can be done in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. His twin girls always keep him busy.
Beth Sweigert, PTA
Beth Sweigert, PTA was born in Portland Oregon, but has spent most of her life her in Spokane Wa. She is a graduate of Gonzaga Prep. She played two years of college softball on the east coast before returning to Spokane and getting her BAE in physical education from EWU in 1998. During college she spent six years coaching basketball and softball at the high school level. She graduated from the PTA program at SFCC in 2001 and in 2002 met her future business partner David Jeter. She has completed various continuing education including functional exercise, strain counter strain and vestibular dysfunction. She continues to be active with a summer softball team each year as well as making an annual showing at Hoopfest. She enjoys running and biking, and in 2009 ran her first (and last) marathon and competed in her first (not last) triathlon. When looking for excuses not to work out she can be found sitting in the sun on a patio or by a lake next to her pug Baxter.
Bryce Ellgen, PT, DPT
Bryce moved to Spokane to enter Eastern Washington University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program. He graduated in 2012. During his time at school he met his wife. He enjoys sports and spending family time in the great outdoors. Bryce has the valuable talent of being able to speak fluent spanish. He is the director of Acceleration Therapy Services in Deer Park, WA. He has special interest in dizziness and vestibular rehabilitation..
Alex Fruci, PT, DPT
Alex was born and raised in Spokane where he graduated high school at Lewis and Clark. He went on to attend Eastern Washington University for both his undergraduate and graduate degrees, receiving his Bachelors in Biology in 2016 and Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2020. He has a special interest in manual therapy and sports medicine and would like to continue to advance his knowledge in those specialties. Alex is dedicated to health and fitness and competed in his first NPC bodybuilding competition in 2019. During his free time, Alex enjoys activities such as hiking, camping, playing basketball, and taking on new home improvement projects. A special lifetime goal of his is to visit every national park in the country
Stacy Petkus, PTA
Stacy moved from Kalispell, MT to Spokane after she was accepted into the Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Spokane Falls Community College, graduating in 2006. Her journey into physical therapy started with her own rehabilitation experiences from having two knee surgeries and the desire to give the same quality of care she received as a patient. She likes to travel, go camping, and work in the garage with her husband on one of their classic vehicles, and she recently started roller skating with the local roller derby to learn how to officiate for the league.
Travis Curtin, PTA
Born in Maine, raised on Whidbey Island, and a Western Washington University alum, Travis started at Acceleration in 2016 as an aide and then front desk employee. He then decided to transition into a provider role, enrolling in the SFCC Physical Therapist Assistant program. He enjoys all things music, trivia, baseball, soccer, making breads, pizzas, and all sorts of other foods.
Christin Crowder, PTA
Christin grew up “all over the South” in AL, TX, GA, and TN, and occasionally her accent slips out. She has spent most of her career as a teacher and has taught people of all ages from children to the elderly. During some traveling after college she fell in love with the Northwest and moved to Spokane in 2011 with her son. She was accepted into SFCC’s Physical Therapist Assistant program and graduated in 2015. She specializes in working with the elderly and balance training, as well as adapting exercises to patient needs. In her spare time she loves spending time with her son; being outdoors biking, hiking, and kayaking; swing dancing; and playing racquet sports such as racquetball, tennis, and pickleball. She has recently taken up snowboarding to enjoy the snow and Northwest winters, but she’s taking it slow, you may see her on the bunny slopes.
Teresa Dixon, PTA
Teresa is a wife, mother, and grandmother. She was born and raised in Stevens County, Washington, and has deep ties to this community. After a back injury in 2001, the physical therapy she received was so helpful that she found her calling. Teresa had 4 children at home at the time when she enrolled in PTA school. After graduation, she worked at St. Luke’s Rehabilitation for 10 years, followed by work in Home Health, Outpatient, and Outpatient Aquatic settings. Her hobbies include horseback riding (trails and endurance), dancing, hiking, farm work, and spending time with family.
Amanda Lankford, OTR/L
Amanda Lankford was born in Spokane Washington and raised in Deer Park. She received her undergraduate degree in Exercise Science in 2013 and graduate degree in Occupational Therapy in 2015 at Eastern Washington University. She looks forward to offering occupational therapy services to people of all ages in her hometown and surrounding communities. Her hobbies include reading great literature, dancing, playing basketball and soccer, and exploring the lakes in the area soaking up sun and catching fish.
Bobbi Arnold, PTA
Bobbi is a native of Spokane and graduated from Spokane Falls Community College with her PTA degree in 2015. She loves to hike the Liberty Lake trail with her two daughters or enjoy a glass of wine on the back deck with her husband. Bobbi continues to develop her professional skills in functional exercise and balance training.
Laurel Pierce, PTA
Laurel earned her PTA degree at Whatcom Community College. She is a transplant from the Olympia area, and is enjoying all the beauty to be found on the sunnier side of the mountains. Outside of work, you will most likely find her out hiking, kayaking, or enjoying time with her family.
Julie Wight, PT, DPT
Julie grew up in the Wenatchee valley and first moved to the Spokane area for college. She attended Eastern Washington University for both her undergraduate and graduate degrees. She graduated from Eastern’s Doctorate of Physical Therapy program in 2014. When given the chance Julie loves to travel, especially to visit family in New England and around the country. However, if stuck at home she enjoys hiking, running, reading, baking and spending time with friends and family.
Beryl Blake, PTA
Beryl was raised in on the Olympic peninsula. She attended Olympic college and graduated in 2016. Since then she has worked in a skilled nursing facility, with pediatrics, and in outpatient orthopedics. Outside of work, she enjoys paddle boarding, swing dancing, anything food related, and going on adventures with her daughter.
Erin McCarthy, PTA
Erin graduated from SFCC with her Physical Therapist Assistant degree in 2006. She has worked for Acceleration Physical Therapy in Spokane since 2007, and specializes in functional exercise facilitation. She enjoys hiking, golf, and walking her dog Teddy.
Mitzi Itzel Martinez, COTA
Mitzi Itzel Martinez was born in Lazaro Cardenas, Michoacan, Mexico but raised in Spokane, WA for the majority of her life. She is able to speak Spanish fluently and hopes to use it in her career if the opportunity arises. She graduated from Lewis & Clark high school and recieved her Associates Degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant at Spokane Falls Community College, graduating in 2020. Mitzi loves working with the pediatric population and is excited to continue doing so in the surrounding communities. When she has the time she spends it traveling, playing tennis and volleyball. As well, volunteering in her church, shopping, trying new restaurants and spending time with her friends and family especially the family pet, Leah!
Spirit Marley, PTA
Spirit moved to Spokane to attend Spokane Falls Community College, where she earned her degree as a Physical Therapist Assistant in 2018. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and running with her dog, yoga, strength training, kayaking, watching stand up comedy and playing board games.
Bradford Thomas, PT, DPT
Bradford was born in Wappingers Falls NY where he learned to love sports and the outdoors. Graduating from Misericordia University in 2017, he worked as a travel PT all around the US and taking breaks to Rock Climb, Mountaineer, and Splitboard all over the west coast. He loves working with people who want to move and experience this reality for all it offers. Whether that’s playing with your kids or climbing alpine peaks, everyone has the right to freedom of movement, physical expression, and pain-free living.
Andreas Brown, PT, DPT
Andreas has a passion for collaborating with people of all ages, finding strategies so they can move better for longer. He earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from South College in 2023, following his undergraduate studies at Central Washington University and Eastern Oregon University, where he graduated in 2020 with a Bachelor’s degree in Health and Human Performance with a concentration in Exercise Science. Born and raised in Spokane, Washington, Andreas has deep roots in the community. He graduated from Shadle Park High School, where he played basketball before pursuing three years of collegiate-level play. Andreas is a lifelong learner who enjoys seeking out creative endeavors and has a keen interest in discovering new music. In his free time, he enjoys playing basketball, exploring, and cherishing time spent with family and friends..
Beth Walker, PTA, ATC
Beth grew up in the south bay area of California. She moved to Spokane at 17 to attend Whitworth University (College back then) and graduated in 2002 with a B.A. in Athletic Training. After a year of working at a PT clinic she went on to become a Physical Therapist Assistant, graduating from SFCC’s program in 2005. Beth enjoys the variety that comes with working in the orthopedic setting, working with all ages and backgrounds. She has an extensive dance background, competing at the State and National levels in ballet, tap, jazz and acro. which has given her a special interest and enjoyment in working with this unique athletic population. When not at work, Beth continues to dance, taking an advanced adult tap class weekly and she also enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter. You can find the 3 of them snowboarding in the Winter and enjoying all the Inland Northwest has to offer year round.
Kristin Spanus, PTA
Kristin graduated as a PTA in 2012 and has practiced in the states of Louisiana, Arizona, Alaska and Washington as she traveled with her husband who is active duty Air Force. She has over 10 years of outpatient experience; spending her time in sports medicine, pelvic floor therapy and orthopedic rehabilitation. She enjoys spending time outdoors; hiking, kayaking, camping and exploring the great outdoors with her husband and son.
Kara Teal, MS, CCC-SLP
Kara was born in Phoenix, AZ and moved to Spokane with her family in 1996. She graduated with her BA and MS in Speech Therapy from Eastern Washington’s program in 2018. She has a wide range of experiences including autism, pediatrics, dyslexia, ADHD, and Parkinson’s disease. She loves to be outside hiking, swimming, kayaking, traveling, and camping.
Emma Ruud, PT, DPT
Emma was born in Boise, ID, and spent her childhood exploring the rivers of the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley. She earned her undergraduate degree in Business Administration in Walla Walla, WA, before moving to Spokane to pursue her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at Eastern Washington University. Emma is passionate about providing personalized, evidence-based care, specializing in therapy for individuals with Parkinson’s and adaptive care throughout the disease process. Outside of work, you’ll find her and her husband mountain biking, skiing, hiking, and enjoying Spokane’s vibrant food scene.
James Rowley, PTA
James was raised in Spokane. He graduated from SFCC’s PTA program in 2020. His hobbies include learning about permaculture, building with up-cycled pallets, trail running, reading, and lifting heavy things.
Lisa Oakley, SLPA
Lisa grew up in the Central Valley of California where she earned a B.A. in both Psychology and Communicative Disorders. Lisa has always had a passion for the field of Special Education. Her journey began with being a Special Education Para-educator working with Autistic children. After 10 years as a Para, she decided to become a stay-at-home mom when her second baby was born. From there, her husband accepted a job that led their family to Spokane. After a few years of enjoying the Pacific Northwest, and staying home with her kids, she felt it was time to go back to work in Special Education. She then pursued a career as an SLPA. When not at work, Lisa enjoys exploring the outdoors, traveling, or just relaxing at home with her family.