our staff
DEDICATED. QUALIFIED. CARING.
The staff at Washougal Sport & Spine Physical Therapy isn’t satisfied until you are. Completely dedicated to their patient’s needs, they are qualified to handle all aspects of your care from preventative care to rehabilitation. Active within the community, founder Steve McCarthy takes wellness to the next level by holding injury prevention trainings for young athletes and getting involved in local activities. Together, the doctors at Washougal Sport & Spine Physical Therapy are some of the most qualified Physical Therapists in the area. Recently, Kimberly Williams earned the distinction of being the only APTA Board Certified Sports Specialist in Clark County.
The staff at Washougal Sport & Spine Physical Therapy isn’t satisfied until you are.
PHYSICAL THERAPISTS
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Steve McCarthy
OWNER, PT
Board Certified Orthopedic Physical Therapist
Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual TherapistsSteve is a Camas, WA native and founder of Washougal Sport and Spine Physical Therapy. With a board certification in orthopedics and advanced fellowship training in manual therapy, his treatment is a hands-on approach incorporating specific corrective exercises to address movement restrictions, pain and dysfunction. Steve has 10 years experience as a licensed physical therapist treating orthopedic and neurological dysfunction. He has special interest in headache management as well as acute and chronic spinal conditions.
He graduated from Camas High School and went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from Western Washington University graduating with a major in Exercise and Sport Science. His professional education continued at the University of Montana where he earned a Master of Science degree in physical therapy. Since obtaining his physical therapy license he has been practicing in the outpatient orthopedic setting, working with a wide range of injuries. In 2008 Steve completed a 3-year fellowship in manual therapy from the prestigious North American Institute of Orthopedic Manual Therapy (NAIOMT). When not working with patients at WSS, Steve enjoys spending time with his wife, Melissa, and two children.
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Kimberly Williams
OWNER, PT, DPT
Board Certified Sports Physical Therapist
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Certified Athletic TrainerKim Williams received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon, a Master’s degree in Health Administration from Central Washington University in Ellensburg, WA. and her Bachelor of Science degrees in both Biology and Physical Education, Athletic Training from Washington State University in Pullman, WA.
Kimberly is currently an owner, physical therapist and athletic trainer at Washougal Sport and Spine. She believes in a personalized approach that meets the needs of each individual patient. Her practice philosophy utilizes a biomechanical approach with emphasis on combining manual therapy techniques and corrective exercises to address biomechanical deficiencies in movement patterns. She has a special interest in lower extremity injuries and foot pain as well as custom foot orthotic design. Kimberly has enjoyed her career experiences in collegiate and professional athletics with WSU, Central, Pacific and Concordia Universities as well as USA track and field. She has had the pleasure of teaching as an adjunct faculty at three separate universities with an interest in athletic training education.
She is an active member of the Orthopedic and Sports sections of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) as well as the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) and is one of three Board Certified Sports Specialist in Clark County. In addition, she has been published in the Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy.
Outside the clinic, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two girls.
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Kyle Leif
PT, DPT
Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist
Kyle earned his Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) from the University of Iowa in 2007. Demonstrating advanced clinical knowledge and skill, he is a Board-Certified Specialist in Sports (SCS) and Orthopedics (OCS). He has also received his Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) designation.
Helping people reach their goals and achieve optimal performance is the reason Kyle became a PT. He provides patient-centered care and hands-on physical therapy. Working collaboratively with the patient he develops individualized treatment plans to address the patient’s goals. He believes in empowering his patients through education and exercise, giving the patient ownership and control in their recovery.
With a passion for athletics, especially running, Kyle is a leader in running rehabilitation and performance. Kyle is a certified running coach through the RRCA and he will develop and assess training programs to maximize the athlete’s performance. He uses a bio-mechanical approach to evaluate the entire athlete through video gait analysis, movement screening, and sports specific testing. His approach is focused on detecting and correcting faults in movements before they effect performance.
His time away from work is spent being active and exploring the Pacific Northwest with his wife and two kids. He enjoys trail running, snow sports, working out, yard-work, barbecuing, and travel.
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CURT PERSONS
MPT
Curt is a native Washingtonian who grew up near Tacoma. He attended Loma Linda University and graduated in 2001 with a Masters degree in Physical Therapy. Curt then returned to the Pacific NW and has been practicing in the Vancouver/Portland area for over 20 years.
He has extensive experience with orthopedic and sports conditions and uses a multi-dimensional treatment approach with his patients. Manual therapy techniques and specific exercises are the primary tools he uses to help decrease pain and restore mobility. His greatest job satisfaction comes from helping a patient achieve their goals and regain their highest possible level of function.
He became board certified in orthopedics in 2013. He has also been recognized by Portland Monthly magazine as a top physical therapist in the Portland area.
Outside of work, Curt loves to spend time with his wife and daughter as they travel, hike, play board games, and find new restaurants to try. He also enjoys golfing, reading, and roasting his own coffee.
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Janae Carpiz
PT, DPT
Janae is a transplant from Cupertino, CA, she completed her Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science at San Francisco State University. She received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Pacific University in Forest Grove, OR.
She has experience working in different clinical settings such as acute care, pediatrics, cardiopulmonary rehab, outpatient orthopedics and worked with a wide range of patient populations and conditions. Janae found that she loved outpatient orthopedics, being able to work with patients 1:1 and guide them through their recovery.
She believes in creating an individualized plan of care that allows patients to meet their unique needs and goals. She has been able to use her background in weightlifting to have a more biomechanical approach. This includes assessment of body mechanics and muscle imbalances coupled with manual therapy and corrective exercise to correct imbalances and enhance overall performance.
Outside of the clinic, she enjoys weightlifting, climbing, snow and water sports and exploring the Pacific Northwest. She also enjoys volunteering in the community and trying new things.Coming soon!
SUPPORT STAFF
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Melissa Hellberg
FRONT OFFICE MANAGER
Melissa is new to Camas/Washougal. She and her family relocated from the Washington DC area. Melissa spends most of her free time with her husband and her English Labrador, Finn. She has two Papermaker graduates who both attend Oregon State University. Go Beavs! She also enjoys cooking, crafts and gardening. Melissa has been an active volunteer in the Military Officers Spouses Club. She is anxious to get involved in this wonderful new community they now call home.
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Christi Stockton
PATIENT CARE COORDINATOR
Christi moved from Carson Wa. after building a house in the Washougal area in 2015. She enjoys playing with her grandchildren, reading, hiking, mushroom picking and driving the 4×4 trails with her husband in their jeep.
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Marty McCarthy
BOOKKEEPER
Marty taught high school math for thirty years and decided it was time for something different! With his expertise in numbers, he began working for an accounting firm 13 years ago. He has been with Washougal Sport & Spine Physical Therapy since its inception in 2008 and has performed the bookkeeping and billing tasks. Marty jokes that he enjoys working at WSS because it helps him feel younger!
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Jenny Hughes
PATIENT CARE COORDINATOR
Coming soon!
PARTNERS
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JAKE HOWELL
LAT, ATC
CAMAS HIGH SCHOOL HEAD ATHLETIC TRAINER
SPORTS MEDICINE INSTRUCTORJake graduated from Eastern Washington University in 2014 with his bachelors degree in Athletic Training. During his time at Eastern, he worked with Men’s Basketball, Men’s Tennis, Mens/Women’s Track and Field, and 2 Spokane area high schools. Jake currently teaches Sports Medicine and 9th grade health classes during the day at Camas High School and works as the Head Athletic Trainer after hours. Additionally, Jake works with the Washington Career and Technical Sports Medicine Association as the director of student leadership.
In his free time, Jake loves being outdoors in any way he can. Some of his primary hobbies include ski mountanieering, alpine skiing, backpacking, travel, and disc golf. Some of his recent ambitions include a ski descent from the summit of Mt. Hood and winning his first disc golf tournament.
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Waverly James
ATHLETIC TRAINER
I grew up in Vancouver, WA and attended Columbia River High School. After graduating I attended Linfield College where I received my degree in Athletic Training. I passed my BOC exam and became a Certified Athletic Trainer in 2014 and was the Head Athletic Trainer at a high school in Portland, Or with Providence Health Services from 2015-2022. In 2022, I accepted a position with Washougal Sport and Spine to become the Assistant Athletic Trainer at Camas High School. I have loved feeling closer to my community and getting work with such amazing people.
Same Day / Next Day
PT appointments available!
Take an active role in your health and recovery. Start your journey today. No referrals necessary.