Mark is a lifelong resident of the Northwest Phoenix, graduating from Brophy College Prep in 1992, before finishing his Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology at NAU in 1996. He was honored to be part of the first Doctoral class of Physical Therapists, completing his course of study with high honors in 2001. He’s spent nearly his entire career serving Orthopedic and Sportsmedicine patients across their recovery lifespan. Over the years he’s developed a passion for treating every patient as an individual and not just a diagnosis. He’s earned a reputation for paying close attention to the details and valuing the patient experience. Away from the office, you will find him spending time with his college sweetheart Mariam. Together, they’re usually trying to keep up with the Volleyball exploits of their daughters, Madelyn and Morghan. Mark also enjoys music of all kinds, and squeezing in a round of golf when able! He looks forward to the challenge of having his own practice and being able to strike an effective balance between serving the needs of his patients and growing the brand of Rise Orthopedic and Sports PT – now a partner with Modern Physical Therapy.
Colton was born in Bend, Oregon and resided in the rainy Pacific Northwest of Vancouver, Washington for most of his childhood. He met his wife, Jennifer, at Central Washington University before moving down to Arizona to enjoy the sunshine. He received his education in Phoenix at Brookline College and has been treating in outpatient orthopedics since graduating. Colton and Jennifer have two amazing children, Owen and Makenna and a beautiful dog, Roxy. He loves to play basketball, watch movies, weightlift, sit poolside, and enjoy time with his family. He is FMA and TPI-2 certified and finds joy in helping others. His passion is to help people get back to doing the things they love through the power of movement.
Shea is originally from Vancouver, British Columbia and grew up here in Arizona. He graduated with his Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science from Northern Arizona University in 2012. He then went on to earn his Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2015 from Northern Arizona University as well. Shea has since continued to develop his clinical skills in functional movement, joint manipulation, and sports-specific training.
His experience is comprised of orthopedics, post-surgical care, neuro rehabilitation, sports injury, and geriatric care. Shea follows ice hockey and mixed martial arts regularly and when away from the clinic, you will find him with his wife Amy and daughters Isla and Evie. Shea is a big proponent of the “whole body approach” and is a valuable addition to our staff in Surprise, Arizona.
Natalie Thomas is a Pennsylvania native, who graduated from Messiah University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Health Science, specializing in Physical Therapy. During her time at the University, Natalie excelled in collegiate softball, being a 2-time Conference Champion and NCAA DIII National RunnerUp. Natalie earned her Physical Therapist Assistant degree from Johnson College with high honors in 2022. She is passionate about functional movement and is dedicated to serving her Orthopedic and Sports Medicine patients.
Away from the clinic, Natalie enjoys exploring the beautiful Arizona outdoors with her husband, Colby. She loves spending time with her family, playing sports, serving at her church, supporting the Pittsburgh Steelers, and vacationing by the ocean. She is thrilled to be a part of Rise Orthopedic & Sports PT and is looking forward to serving her new Arizona community.
Dora is a physical therapy technician, she was born and raised in Los Angeles, California and moved to Arizona 4 years ago. She has recently graduated trade school for massage therapy. She enjoys dedicating time with our patients and seeing their progress. She is also fluent in both English and Spanish allowing her the ability to assist with other Spanish speakers. During her time, she enjoys doing simple things like gardening, reading, painting, and crafting.
Bradley is a dedicated physical therapy tech, born in Las Vegas and raised in Surprise, Arizona. He is a proud graduate of Grand Canyon University with a Bachelor’s in Exercise Science in 2023. In his free time, Bradley enjoys quiet moments with close family and friends. He has a deep appreciation for movies, often keeping up with the latest films and cinematic experiences. When he isn’t at the movie theater, you can find Bradley playing video games, exploring virtual worlds, and tackling new challenges. Sports are also a big part of Bradley’s life, particularly baseball and ice hockey. He enjoys watching games and cheering for his favorite teams, finding joy and excitement in the competitive spirit of sports.
Jaelynn is a NCAA Division I volleyball alumna from Surprise, Arizona. She competed at The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina. Jaelynn helped lead The Citadel to a Southern Conference Tournament Championship in 2021 and a regular-season Conference Title in 2023. That same year, she was honored as the Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Year. Jaelynn holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Graduate Certificate in Science. Her passion for volleyball continues beyond college through private coaching sessions, where she mentors young athletes and shares her expertise. When she’s not in the gym, Jaelynn enjoys staying active and exploring the outdoors with her rescue dog by her side.
Nate was born and raised in Pierre, SD, where he was involved in anything that kept him active and outside. He graduated with his Bachelors of Science degree in Kinesiology from the University of Minnesota in 2020. Following his undergraduate work, he attended Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences in Rochester, MN, where he graduated in 2024. During his professional development, he has continued to work with a wide variety of patients following orthopedic surgeries as well as obtaining a certification in dry needling and further education in blood flow restriction (BFR) training.
When out of the clinic, he loves spending time with his wife Claudia trying to figure out what their next big adventure will be. With all of the hiking, backpacking, camping, and skiing that they love to do, they are very excited to be in Arizona where there are options for all of these activities. He also loves to root for any major Minnesota sports team so no matter the time of year, you can find him cheering for (or rather suffering with) the state of Minnesota professional sports
Kristy is the Office Manager at Modern Physical Therapy’s Surprise office. She was born and raised in California but has called Arizona home for about 25 years. She studied Physical Education in Irvine, California.
Kristy is passionate about guiding people on their wellness journey. It brings her joy to know that she is helping people and influencing them in a positive way In her free time, Kristy enjoys spending time with her family! She has been married to her husband for 33 years and is the proud mother of two young adult daughters. Kristy also loves photography and enjoys photographing nature whenever she can.
Born and raised in Chicago, Kim moved to Arizona in 2010 and has made the West Valley her home along with her husband, David, and their three adorable dogs. She is a proud fan of the Chicago Bears, Chicago Cubs and is also a former firearms competitor. Kim brings over thirty years of experience in the healthcare field to her position at RISE and enjoys being part of a team that is dedicated to the compassionate care of others. While off the clock, she likes to spend time with family and friends, work outside in the garden and is always ready for an afternoon of ‘retail therapy’.
Nicole is originally from Michigan. She received her bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training from Grand Valley State University. She later completed her Master’s degree in Sports Health Care from A.T. Still University. Eventually returning to complete her Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies from A.T. Still University. She has been working as a PA in sports medicine and orthopedic surgery for over 13 years now! Nicole has been married to her husband, James, for over 20 years. They have two children, a boy and a girl, as well as a 14 year old mutt named Jellybean.
Nicole Specializes in the Following Treatments to Help You Recover: