Meet the Team

Experience & expertise from our physical therapists and support staff.

Dr. Anne Thomas PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT, CSCS, CPed

Physical Therapist, Owner

Anne’s journey to Palmer covers several continents. Born in Nairobi Kenya she completed a BA in Biology in Indiana and then a BSc in Physical Therapy in Aberdeen, Scotland. She started her work experience in Perth, Western Australia and has finally settled in Alaska. She specializes in orthopedic physical therapy and has supplemented her knowledge through becoming a board-certified orthopedic clinical specialist, a Fellow of the American academy of manual physical therapists and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. Outside of work Anne enjoys the outdoors and adventures with her husband and two boys.

Dr. Carla Vizzerra PT, DPT

Physical Therapist

Carla was born and raised in Anchorage, AK. She attended Oregon State University where she majored in Exercise and Sport Science and minored in Psychology. She went on to graduate from Pacific University in 2004 with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Her love of Alaska brought her back home to work in Outpatient Orthopedics where she has continued to grow as physical therapist.
Carla strongly believes that listening to the client’s history, concerns and his/her goals ultimately leads to patient success. She emphasizes an eclectic approach and treating the person as a whole and has passion in educating her clients on how to promote an environment for healing. She has had and continues to seek advanced education focusing on manual techniques and creating effective rehab programs that emphasize appropriate therapeutic dosing, individually based and designed. She has extensive education in Ola Grimsby Institute’s manual and therapeutic exercise teachings. She also has a background in a variety of other approaches including but not limited to Mulligan, McKenzie and Strain/Counter Strain. In addition, she has training in women’s pelvic health as well as in dry needling which can be used as an effective tool in healing. Carla is also fluent in Spanish, able to assist those in need.
Outside of physical therapy, she loves spending time with her husband and three children in the beautiful outdoors of Alaska. She has a passion for running and hiking, especially in the mountains.

Dr. Jack Fry PT, DPT, OCS

Physical Therapist

Jack graduated from Idaho State University in 2012 with a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. He spent 5 years working in North Pole before moving to Palmer in 2017. He completed an orthopedic and manual therapy residency program with the Ola Grimsby Institute in 2016 and is a board certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist. He has a clinical interest in dry needling, blood flow restriction therapy, and manipulation. Outside of work Jack enjoys spending time with his wife and 4 kids. He enjoys many outdoor Alaska activities including mountaineering, rock/ice climbing, packrafting, mountain biking, backcountry skiing, nordic skiing and nordic ice skating. He is thrilled to be part of the Palmer community, and he loves the great access to mountains and trails around the Valley.

Dr. Holly Thomas PT, DPT, Cert. MDT

Physical Therapist

Born and raised in Dallas, TX, Holly attended the Univeristy of Oklahoma where she earned her BS in Health Studies and her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. Her career in PT has taken her to multiple states across the country including Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, and Florida and seeking new adventures led her to pursue travel therapy to Alaska. After falling in love with the many outdoor activities only Alaska can offer, her initial plans to spend 3 months here quickly turned into 3 years and counting. She is certified in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy through the McKenzie Institute and loves to empower her patients with knowledge and self efficacy on their own journey toward living a healthy and active lifestyle. Outside of work she enjoys traveling with her boyfriend, especially seeing as many national parks as possible, hiking, camping, and kayaking.

Staci Deschamps Griffin PT, DPT

Physical Therapist

Staci was born in Anchorage and raised in Palmer, on a small hobby farm riding horses, playing soccer, volleyball, basketball and running long distances. She attended The Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA on a soccer scholarship and graduated with a B.S. in Ecology in 2002. She returned home to Alaska and worked in a variety of jobs in the environmental field. After recovering from a few significant injuries with the assistance of physical therapy, Staci was inspired to become a physical therapist. In April 2015 she graduated with a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences from their San Diego campus. In 2017 Staci received her Certification in Advanced Dry Needling (CMTPT). Staci uses a variety of tools that cater to her patient’s individualized needs and interests to facilitate their healing journey so they can live their best lives. She is enthusiastic about the body’s amazing ability to heal and recover when provided the right ingredients and enjoys sharing this enthusiasm with her patients. Outside of physical therapy she enjoys exploring Alaska’s wild lands with her husband and son via hiking, rafting, fishing, and mushroom hunting. She also loves traveling throughout the world experiencing new landscapes and cultures.

Susan Gibbs LPTA, CKTP

Physical Therapist Assistant

Susan was born and raised in Alaska and went to college in New York for a Physical Therapist Assistant degree. She also took other classes for nutrition and athletics, returning to AK in 1992 and has been working in PT since that time, with periodic breaks to raise her girls. Her areas of special interest are in aquatic therapy, sports injury and she is also certified in kinesio-taping. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her husband and two girls, going to her oldest daughters musical concerts and watching their other daughter pursue a health career. She also loves camping, kayaking and enjoying the out doors.

Jaimie Burke LPTA

Physical Therapist Assistant

Jaimie graduated from University of Alaska Anchorage’s Physical Therapist Assistant program in 2015. She is originally from Illinois but fell in love with Alaska after the military moved her family here several years ago. She has a special interest in aquatic therapy and loves to work with clients in the pool. Jaimie is a hockey mom and outside of work she enjoys spending time with her husband and 2 boys. She also enjoys bike rides, crafting and video games.

Daniel Schweitzer LPTA

Physical Therapist Assistant

With a background in massage therapy, Daniel graduated his PTA program in Corpus Christi, Texas in 2007. He has experience working in wound care, aquatics and patients with Parkinson’s disease. He moved to Alaska in 2019 with his wife and 4 children after visiting 10 years prior and falling in love with the area. He is certified in Parkinson’s Wellness Recovery (PWR!) and is a kinesiotape practitioner. He helped develop aquatics programs in Texas and has a passion for public and patient education on topics including: chronic pain management, fall prevention and stroke awareness and recovery. When not treating patients, he spends time hiking, kayaking and playing Dungeons & Dragons with his children.

Make an appointment

642 S Alaska St. #209
Palmer, AK 99645
Phone: (907) 746-0722
Fax: (907) 802-4441

Contact

Did you know?

Among older adults with knee osteoarthritis, engaging in moderate physical activity at least 3 times/week can reduce the risk of arthritis-related disability by 47%.

Learn more

Three brands, one vision. Visit us in Downtown Palmer!

Opened in 2008, AKtive Soles Performance Footwear is our retail space and shoe store, dedicated to enabling customers to engage in a physically active lifestyle in comfort.

Visit Website

AKtive Body Gym & Fitness is our gym and training facility, open 7 days a week and offering open gym with cardio and weight equipment, group fitness classes and personal training.

Visit Website

Get AKtive Stay AKtive

Visit Website