A Message from your OPPT Providers and Staff
OPPT is committed to improving the lives of our patients through Physical/Occupational Therapy treatment. As part of our mission, we remain dedicated to the health and welfare of our staff and our patients. To that end, we are closely monitoring the outbreak of the coronavirus known as COVID-19.
This is an evolving issue with new information coming forth daily. As a health care organization, we are closely monitoring directives fro...m the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Florida Department of Health and other news sources.
Steps OPPT is taking
• OPPT staff members are receiving instruction and ongoing updates about COVID-19, hand hygiene and other safety measures to decrease the likelihood of contracting or transmitting the infection.
• We are sanitizing treatment areas after each patient use.
• Maintaining the cleanliness of the clinic utilizing cleaners that effectively kill 99.9% of viruses and bacteria.
Precautions you should take
• Stay at home if you are sick and restrict contact with other people.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the
tissue in the trash.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• The CDC continues to recommend against the use of face masks for people who do not have symptoms.
Symptoms of COVID-19
• Mild to severe respiratory illness, particularly in older people
• Sore throat
• Fever
• Cough
• Difficulty breathing
If you have any of these symptoms
• Call your physician or the Florida Department of Health
(866-779-6121—open 24/7) for instructions.
• Tell your health care provider about any recent travel or contact with people who have traveled internationally.
All OPPT locations remain open at this time and available to serve you. Coronavirus is an evolving issue. Please follow the CDC website and do not hesitate to call our office with any questions.
We encourage you to keep yourself updated on information about coronavirus by looking at the following websites:
• World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/emergen…/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
• Florida Department of Health: http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditi…/COVID-19/
Optimal Performance and Physical Therapies is pleased to announce that Katie King, PT, DPT, NCS and OPPT-Riverview have been designated a Partner in MS Care. This makes us one of only two such rehab designated Partners in the entire state of Florida!!!
In October 2017 Katie joined OPPT with the goal of leading and growing an outpatient neurology program, including a special focus on the care of patients with Multiple Sclerosis. Her passion, dedication, quest for knowledge, and patient care culminated in reaching this partnership with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society on 1/31/2020.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
Congratulations Collin Wallace, Clinic Manager at our Riverview clinic for obtaining his OCS! Great accomplishment!
Now offering Occupational Therapy at our Riverview and Brandon locations.
Optimal Performance and Physical Therapies has been named a Top Workplace in Tampa Bay for the second year running!
Join us in welcoming our new OPPT employees!
Collin Wallace, PT, DPT has assumed the Clinic Manager role in our Riverview clinic. Congratulations, Collin!
Join us in welcoming our new OPPT employees!
Riverview now offers Saturday hours, 8:00am - 12:00pm.
Join us in welcoming our new OPPT employees!
OPPT has been named one of the best places to work in Tampa Bay! This distinguished accomplishment grew out of an independent survey led by the Tampa Bay Times, Florida's largest newspaper. Congratulations to all OPPT employees!!
Join us in welcoming our new OPPT employees!
Join us in welcoming our new OPPT employees!
OPPT Trinity is now open
Join us in welcoming our new OPPT employees!
OPPT Wesley Chapel now open
Join us in welcoming our new OPPT employees
Congratulations to Cera Heitkamp, Palm Harbor Clinic Manager, for completing her Sports Physical Therapy Certification through Evidence in Motion.
Northdale and Riverview clinics now offering Women’s Health/Pelvic Physical Therapy.
Katie King, PT, DPT, NCS will take the lead with a new outpatient Neuro program in the Riverview clinic.
Join us in welcoming our new OPPT employees
Welcome our new OPPT employees
OPPT Northdale is sponsoring the 6th Annual Cheval Cares 5K Family Fun Run on Saturday, September16th at the Cheval Athletic Club.
New staff joining OPPT
OPPT continues to grow! Join us in welcoming our newest team members.
Now offering Women’s Health services at our Mid Pinellas clinic.
Katie Patterson has joined the OPPT Compliance Team. Katie is awaiting acceptance into graduate school at George Washington University to pursue a graduate degree in Healthcare Compliance.
OPPT will be exhibiting at the 2017 Annual Workers’ Compensation Conference at the Marriott World Center in Orlando August 6-9. Plan to stop by booth #837 and say hello!
Welcome to our new OPPT employees.
Welcome to our new OPPT employees.
Join us in welcoming our new OPPT employees.
OPPT will be at the 8 On Your Side Gasparilla Expo Feb 24-25 at the Tampa Convention Center. Stop by booth #135 and say hello.
OPPT Oldsmar now offering Women’s Health/Pelvic Rehab services.
More new faces at OPPT! Join us in welcoming our new OPPT employees.
Last month, Cera Heitkamp, PT, DPT from our Palm Harbor clinic participated in the Great American Teach-In at Leila Davis Elementary school.
We have lots of new faces at OPPT! Join us in welcoming our new OPPT employees.
OPPT will be exhibiting at the 71st Annual Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference on August 21-24, 2016 at the Orlando World Center Marriott. Stop by booth #837 and say hello!
The Greater Temple Terrace Chamber of Commerce will celebrate OPPT University’s new location with a ribbon cutting ceremony on August 17, 2016 at 12:00 noon.
Join us in welcoming our new OPPT employees
Congratulations to Amy Benford PT, DPT, OCS who has obtained her Board Certification in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy (OCS) and Jayme Alambra PT, DPT, SCS who has obtained her Board Certification in Sports Physical Therapy (SCS). Obtaining Board Certification in a Physical Therapy Specialty requires passing a rigorous examination that demonstrates advanced knowledge and skill in a Physical Therapy specialty area.
Join us in welcoming our new OPPT employees
OPPT Oldsmar is now open!
OPPT Palm Harbor hosted their first community event. Cera Heitkamp, PT, DPT presented on proper footwear for walkers and runners. Our next event will be in September. The Palm Harbor team will discuss "Back" to School and include topics such as proper posture while texting & playing video games, backpack safety, and setting up an ergonomically correct study station. More details soon!
New employees:
OPPT will open our 12th Florida location in Oldsmar in June 2016. More details to follow soon!
OPPT Palm Harbor will host a running/walking seminar on June 7th . Cera Heitkamp, PT, DPT will share her expertise on the biomechanics of the lower extremity. For more information, contact 727-475-5540.
OPPT Clearwater is now open!
New employees:
Now offering Industrial Services! OPPT has partnered with WorkWell to offer Functional Capacity Evaluations, Functional Job Analysis and Pre-Work Screenings at our Northdale and Riverview clinics.
Leanne Updike, Riverview Business Manager, has been accepted into the Physical Therapy program at Nova Southeastern University. Congratulations, Leanne!
OPPT will open our 11th Florida location in Clearwater during Q1 2016. More details to follow soon!
Michael Gardner,PT, DPT - Northdale
Kenneth Taylor, PT, DPT - Brandon
Adrian Lores, PT, DPT - Kendall
OPPT will be sponsoring the 14th Annual 5K Pumpkin Run and family Walk October 31, 2015 at Bob Sierra YMCA. Join us!
OPPT Palm Harbor will be participating in the 2015 Highland Lakes Health & Wellness Event on October 20, 2015.
OPPT will be a vendor at the Wellcare Employee Health Fair on October 14, 2015 and the Moffitt Cancer Center Wellness Fair for the Moffitt team members on October 22, 2015.
OPPT has partnered with St. Petersburg College to provide athletic training services. OPPT welcomes Trevor Hooker, ATC who will provide sideline coverage for the six SPC sports teams.
OPPT University has relocated to 3010 East 138th Avenue, Suite #1, Tampa 33613. Drop by to see our new clinic!
Lauren Goforth, PT, DPT (Central Tampa)
Arielle Trujillo, PT, DPT (Kendall)
Kristy Clements, PT, DPT (Palm Harbor)
OPPT will once again be an exhibitor at the 70th Annual Workers' Compensation Conference August 23-26 at the Orlando World Center Marriott. Stop by our booth (#837) and say hello.
Debbie Raplee, PT, DPT, OCS, ATC from our Brandon clinic is now an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist.
OPPT Palm Harbor sponsored "Healthy Happenings - Ask the Experts" held at Innisbrook Golf and Spa Resort. More than 700 people attended!
We are excited to announce the opening of our newest location in Riverview. Stop by to visit the clinic and meet our staff.
Fredd Tirado, OTR/L, CHT (Kendall)
Lori Vargas-Cooper, Business Manager (Riverview)
Leanne Updike, Asst. Business Manager (Central Tampa)
Deanna Pate, Business Manager (Palm Harbor)
OPPT participated in the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit employee health and wellness event. Many of our former patients stopped by to say hello.
OPPT had the opportunity to interact with Tampa International Airport Authority employees at their annual employee health fair.
Oscar Medellin, PT, DPT conducted the first tennis seminar with the recreational tennis league at the Innisbrook Tennis Club. This interactive seminar discussed body mechanics, pre-game stretching, warm-up and post-game exercises.
Adrian Perez, PT, DPT (Mid Pinellas)
Jan Schorpion, PT, DPT, SCS, CSCS (Hyde Park)
Natalie Guerra (Business Manager) - Central Tampa
OPPT will be sponsoring the 2015 Northdale Family Fun Fest at Northdale Park from 11am to 2pm. Come by and enjoy the festivities at this family friendly event.
OPPT sponsored Women's Open, a USTA Pro Circuit Event held at Innisbrook March 22-29, 2015. Willem Stegeman, Clinic Manager at our Northdale clinic participated in the ProAm portion of the event.
OPPT Palm Harbor is newly renovated and expanded. Stop by to see our beautiful clinic.
OPPT Northdale celebrated St. Patrick's Day with the Northdale OWLS group during their March meeting.
Congratulations to Anthony King, PT, DPT, MTC who recently became certified in Manual Therapy through the University of St. Augustine
Optimal Performance & Physical Therapies again participated in the Health & Fitness expo that ran in conjunction with the Gasparilla Distance Classic.
Beth Patterson PT, DPT, SCS, CHC attended the APTA Combined Sections meeting in Indianapolis. OPPT supports the continued professional development of our staff.
Oscar Medellin attended the Titleist Performance Institute and is now TPI certified, and offering a Golf Performance Program at our Palm Harbor Clinic. Contact us for more information!
OPPT University clinic is proud to be partnering with Neurosport Education International and The Prague School of Rehabilitation in hosting the next Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization course offering in February 2015. Check out these websites to see what unique treatment techniques our clinicians are utilizing with their patients. http://neurosporteducation.wix.com/neurosported and www.rehabps.com.
We are pleased to announce to opening of OPPT-Riverview, our 10th location. This clinic will open late in the 1st quarter of 2015 in the Big Bend area of Riverview, Florida. More details to come!
Now offering Occupational Therapy services at OPPT-Brandon.
Join us in welcoming our new OPPT employees:
OPPT Mid Pinellas celebrated National Physical Therapy Month and hosted a Grand Opening/Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at our newest clinic on Friday, October 24th, 2014 Local officials from the City of Pinellas Park and the Chamber of Commerce were in attendance.
New faces join the OPPT Team! Welcome our new employees:
Armando Diaz, DPT (Kendall)
Debbie Stroupe, DPT, ATC (Brandon)
Joann Fitzpatrick, Business Manager (Central Tampa)
Kathleen Halasz, Asst. Business Mgr. (Hyde Park)
OPPT Brandon now offers Saturday hours, 8:00am - 12noon.
OPPT will be sponsoring the "Northdale Pumpkin Run" November 8, 2014. This annual community event is held in conjunction with the Bob Sierra YMCA Youth & Family Center. Join us for this family fun event!
OPPT University will be sponsoring the "Trot through the Terrace" on November 15, 2014. Come out and challenge yourself and friends on this beautiful course. Proceeds benefit the GFWC Temple Terrace Women's Club charities.
OPPT will be sponsoring the "Innisbrook Women's Open, a USTA Pro Circuit Event," March 22-29, 2015. More details to come!
OPPT Palm Harbor will be sponsoring the annual "YMCA Mash Dash 5K" on Saturday, December 13, 2014 at John Chestnut Park in Palm Harbor. This is a fundraising event to support programs for special needs adults in our community. Come out and support this worthwhile event!
OPPT Mid Pinellas participated in Pinellas Park Senior Health & Wellness September 26, 2014.
OPPT participated again this year in the "3rd Annual Cheval Cares 5K Run/Walk" on September 20, 2014 which benefits The Pediatric Cancer Foundation. All proceeds from this event help further the Foundation's mission of funding research and hope for children with cancer.
OPPT will be sponsoring The 2014 Rebel Throwdown 3.0, a CrossFit Competition & Wellness Fair at the Clearwater Long Center.
OPPT will be sponsoring the inaugural It Starts in the Parks 5K Fun Run at Pop Stansell Park in Palm Harbor.
OPPT will be participating in the 69th Annual Workers' Compensation Educational Conference and 26th Annual Safety & Health Conference August 17-20, 2014 at the Orlando World Center Marriott. Stop by and visit the OPPT staff at booth #837!
Paul Terry, PT, MTC from our University Clinic participated in a segment with Allison Kropff from WTSP Channel 10 on Overuse Injuries in Youth Sports with an Emphasis on Year-round Baseball! This will air soon on an upcoming 'Extra' segment on Channel 10!
OPPT announces the opening of our 9th location. OPPT-Pinellas Park will begin seeing patients on August 1st. This location will be led by Jacob Sager, PT, DPT. OPPT appreciates your support and will continue to grow with our patient demand.
OPPT is pleased to welcome Jason Brown, PT, DPT to the OPPT team. Jason will be treating patients at OPPT-Northdale.
OPPT announces the opening of our 8th Florida location. OPPT-Lutz will begin seeing patients on Monday, February, 3rd. This location will be led by William "Shannon" Merrick. OPPT appreciates your continued support.
OPPT is sponsoring a booth in the Northdale Famly Fest on Saturday, April 5th at Northdale Park. Please visit our booth beginning at 10 am until 2 pm.
OPPT will again participate in the Gasparilla Health and Fitness Expo at the Tampa Convention Center. Please visit our booth on Friday, February 21st or Saturday, February 22nd.
OPPT will participate in the American Physical Therapy Association Private Practice Section annual meeting in New Orleans in November.
OPPT welcomes Amy Benford PT, DPT; Julia Chadwick PT, DPT; and Anthony King PT, DPT to our growing team.
OPPT will join the Bob Sierra YMCA and the Northdale Civic Association for their 12th annual Pumpkin Run 5K. This event will be held on November 2nd at 8 AM.
OPPT will participate in the Moffitt Employee Wellness Fair on September 17, 2013. We look forward to helping their employees "Climb to Healthy Heights".
OPPT will participate in the 68th annual Florida Workers Compensation Conference in Orlando. Come visit our booth for this important event August 21-24 at the Marriot Orlando.
OPPT announces that Jeremy Maddox, DPT, MTC, CSCS (OPPT-Hyde Park owner) has been named the official Physical Therapy consultant in Tampa, FL for the New York Yankees.
OPPT is pleased to announce the opening of OPPT-Kendall (Kendall Hand and Physical Therapy). We will begin to see patients on Monday, February 4th, 2013. This location will offer Physical, Occupational, and Certified Hand Therapy and is lead by James Jackson. Jim is a Certified hand Therapist with over 20 years of experience, the Kendall team also includes Danielle Dea, DPT.
OPPT is pleased to host the course Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS): Sport Course Part 1 at our OPPT-Northdale location. This two day course is based upon the groundbreaking neurodevelopmental and rehabilitation principles of Pavel Kolar and the Prague School of Rehabilitation and Manual Medicine. All PT's and PTA's are welcome.
OPPT announces the addition of Women's Health Physical Therapy to our Brandon location. We will begin accepting patients at OPPT-Brandon for Women's Health Physical Therapy beginning January 2nd, 2013.