Cornerstone welcomes new employees

Cornerstone Physical Therapy & Aquatics is very excited to announce the addition of several new providers and the addition of occupational therapy to their Sandpoint clinic.

Cornerstone now offers occupational therapy services from Tara Clemons, OTR. Clemons graduated from Eastern Washington University’s occupational therapy program in 2014. Areas of practice have included in-patient rehabilitation and home health addressing both physical and psychological disabilities across the lifespan involving orthopedics, neurology, autoimmune disorders, cardiology, and chronic pain. Throughout her professional career and personal endeavors, Clemons has developed a philosophy that incorporates a holistic approach, integrating both conventional western medicine and complementary practices.

Using a mindfulness-based approach, Clemons helps guide clients in understanding how their recovery process may be influenced by exercise, stress, quality of life, nutrition, body and breath awareness. Through standardized assessments and clinical observation, Clemons said she works with her clients to determine areas of imbalance in order to improve self-care routines to authentically support function, health and wellbeing.

Following graduation, Clemons traveled to Bali, Indonesia to study yoga therapy and volunteer her services. There she received a 200-hour certification in yoga therapy. Her passion and growing knowledge in alternative approaches has allowed her to attend a variety of continuing education courses in the Feldenkrais Method, meditation, cognitive-behavioral therapy, various forms of dance/yoga practices and nutrition. April 2019 she began a myofascial release training program, completing her first course through the John Barnes Method. As a whole these have positively influenced her as an OT practitioner and she often incorporate these into her treatments, Clemons said.

In addition to offering occupational therapy services, Cornerstone will be expanding its physical therapy services to include treating female pelvic floor disorders through their newest physical therapist, Dr. Vashti Graphenteen, DPT. Since graduating in 2013, Graphenteen has received advanced training in cancer rehabilitation and lymphedema and has completed continuing education courses focused on female pelvic floor rehabilitation and chronic pain management. Graphenteen said she is extremely passionate about health and wellness, and ultimately, caring for others. Her primary goal is to help maximize quality of life and functional mobility by tailoring each patient’s treatment plan specifically to their needs.

Cornerstone also is very pleased to announce the addition of physical therapist assistant Chris Rabe to their team. Rabe attended and graduated with honors from the Daytona State College Physical Therapist Assistant Program in May 2014. Since passing the national exam and obtaining licenses in multiple states, Rabe has worked in various facilities from coast to coast increasing his knowledge and skill base through hands-on training and online education, all to improve patient recovery and overall health.

Rabe enjoys rehabilitating orthopedic patients with an emphasis on strengthening musculature and achieving sound functional range of motion and control so the patient can get back to their prior level of function.

Information: Cornerstone Physical Therapy and Aquatics, sandpointphysicaltherapy.com