Mike Stein

President, Physical Therapist, Master of Orthopedic Manual Therapy

Mike Stein founded Manual Orthopedic Physical Therapy in 2002 with the goal of helping patients return to their highest functioning level. He received a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from California State University, Long Beach in 1987. He completed his master’s degree in orthopedic manual therapy from the Ola Grimsby Institute in 1995 and completed an additional two years of residency with OGI in 1997. Mike Stein is a founding board member of the Southwest Sports Wellness Foundation. He enjoys spending time with his family exploring the outdoors and mountain biking.

Joe Bailey

Vice President, Physical Therapist

Joe Bailey is a physical therapist and Vice President of MOPT. He received his bachelor’s degree from California State University, Long Beach in 1987. Joe Bailey has completed extensive post graduate education in orthopedics and manual physical therapy as well as certification in Work Place Ergonomics. He has worked as a physical therapist in California, Louisiana, and Italy. Joe Bailey has specialized in orthopedics and sports physical therapy over the last 27 years. He loves to surf and mountain bike ride as much as possible.

Curtis Hill

Vice President, Physical Therapist

Curtis Hill is a physical therapist, and Vice President of Manual Orthopedic Physical Therapy. He received his bachelor’s degree from California State University, Long Beach in 1999. He joined MOPT in 2002, and became a partner in 2006. His professional strengths include manual therapy and sports medicine. His experience includes patient treatment in various settings; from the geriatric patient to the professional athlete. Mr. Hill is an avid sports fan and enjoys participating in numerous sporting activities.

Mackenzie May

Clinic Director, Doctor of Physical Therapy

Mackenzie is the Clinic Director of our EastLake Location. She originally from Wisconsin and she received her doctorate in physical therapy from Rosalind Franklin University in North Chicago. Mackenzie has been a physical therapist since 2016, working in outpatient orthopedics. She has a special interest in knee and hip injuries as well as expanding her practice into concussion rehabilitation. Mackenzie’s goal is to provide patient-centered, quality care to help patients to achieve their maximum potential. She also strives to create a fun environment and overall positive experience for patients and their families while providing the highest quality of care. Mackenzie enjoys playing volleyball at the beach, hiking, biking and anything outdoors.

Gemma Bajaro

Physical Therapist

Gemma Bajaro joined MOPT in 2008. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Physical therapy from Philippine Rehabilitation Institute in 2001. Gemma has had the opportunity to work mostly with total joint patients while working in Acute Care Rehab setting before transferring to Outpatient Orthopedic Rehab. She enjoys working with variety of orthopedic cases with special interest in shoulder, knee and ankle rehab. Gemma enjoys camping, hiking, mountain biking and spending time with family during her free time.

Michael Eaton

Doctor of Physical Therapy

Michael Eaton is a physical therapist who graduated from San Diego State University in 2013 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Athletic Training. He then worked as an athletic trainer for one year before attaining his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine in 2016. Michael is an empathetic therapist who has experience in managing chronic pain, enhancing movement quality, and improving posture; leading his patients to a more efficient and healthier life. Michael likes participating in football and baseball leagues, loves the Padres, and enjoys hiking and being outdoors.

Nicolas Franco

Doctor of Physical Therapy

Nicolas graduated from University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in 2018 with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Prior to that, he received his Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Hawai’i at Hilo in 2015. His passion for helping injured people return to the things they love, drives him to wake up for work with a smile on his face. Nicolas enjoys being outdoors, traveling, and spending time with friends, family and his dog, Zoe.

Fernando Navarro

Doctor of Physical Therapy

Fernando joined MOPT in 2021. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from SDSU and his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. He developed his passion for rehabilitation science and sports performance while working with professional boxers and martial artists as a strength and conditioning coach. Fernando is dedicated to providing the best care to his patients and help them restore function by utilizing evidence based treatments. 

He enjoys spending time with his family and training Judo and jujitsu.

Colleen Sanders

Master of Physical Therapy

Colleen has over 20 years of experience working in both the orthopedic and home health physical therapy settings. She graduated with a Master’s of Physical Therapy Degree in 1997 from Mount St. Mary’s University in Los Angeles. Prior to that, she completed her Master’s Degree in Exercise Physiology at San Diego State in 1994 and her Bachelor’s Degree in Biology at the University of California, San Diego in 1991. She enjoys the manual therapy approach to treating movement dysfunction and loves the challenge of problem solving biomechanical issues to promote long lasting results. Colleen enjoys running, hiking, dancing, reading and spending time with her family.

Alexis Alcaraz

Doctor of Physical Therapy

Bio coming soon….

Kendra Strouse

Master of Physical Therapy

Kendra is a physical therapist in our Eastlake location. She joined MOPT in 2017. Kendra received her bachelor’s degree from University of the Pacific in 1995 and her master’s degrees in Physical Therapy from Idaho State in 1997. She has 22 years of experience in outpatient orthopedic clinics. Originally from San Jose, CA, San Diego has been her home since 2001. Kendra resides in Chula Vista with her husband and her two daughters.

Reiko Takahashi

Doctor of Physical Therapy

Bio coming soon…

Megan Barnard

Manager of Occupational Services at MOPT, Occupational Therapist, Certified Hand Therapist, Certified Lymphedema Therapist

Megan Barnard has been an Occupational Therapist specializing in hand therapy since 2002. Originally from Wisconsin, Megan is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and continues to be a die hard Badger and Green Bay Packers fan. Most of her career has been focused on serving patients in the greater San Diego area, however, Megan had the opportunity to work as a hand therapist treating complex traumatic injuries at Cambridge University Hospital in the United Kingdom. She achieved the distinction as a Board Certified Hand Therapist in 2013. Megan also holds an advanced credential as a Certified Lymphedema Therapist. She enjoys being a part of this community and helping to keep its residents healthy and active.

Jens Tamang

Occupational Therapist

Bio coming soon…..

Celina Armenta

Occupational Therapist

Celina Armenta has been practicing occupational therapy since 2016. She received her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from San Jose State University. Celina was born and raised in San Diego, so she happily returned home following graduation and began her career working in the hospital setting in Acute Care. This setting gave her the opportunity to work with a wide range of populations and diagnoses. She shifted her focus to hand therapy at the end of 2020 and joined the MOPT team in early 2022. Celina strives to treat her patients as a whole and not only focus on the physical aspects but mental and emotional well-being as well.

Johana Neri

Master of Science in Occupational Therapy, Occupational Therapist Registered/Licensed,
Hand Therapy Certified Advanced Practice in Hand Therapy

Johana Neri has been a practicing Occupational Therapist with a focus in hand therapy since 2017. She received her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from CSU Dominguez Hills in Los Angeles County. A proud native San Diegan, Johana always dreamed of returning to serve the very community she grew up in and now finds herself doing just that as part of the MOPT team. She achieved her Advanced Practice in Hand Therapy from the California Board of Occupational Therapy. In her spare time, Johana enjoys cooking, listening to live music, going on adventures with family and friends, and traveling.