Jeff LePage, PT graduated from the University Of Missouri in 1993. He started his career at the VA in Salt Lake City, Utah and was there for 4 years. This was a large VA hospital with a huge base of orthopedics.
He then relocated for a job in Worland, Wyoming in 1997 where he was the director of rehab at the local hospital. He provided inpatient and outpatient physical therapy services as well as home health and also contracted with the local school district to provide PT services to the special education children. He developed a children's rehab program, wound clinic, and aquatic program in his 7 years at the local hospital. He managed the entire rehab department of 16 employees that included physical therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapy assistants, speech therapists, office staff and rehab techs.
In 2000 Jeff attended an aquatic therapy program and became certified in aquatic therapy.
In 2001 Jeff attended an Advanced burn Life Support training in Chicago, IL to become certified in advanced burn life support.
In 2003 he was recruited for a managers position at a outpatient rehab center in Anchorage, AK. He was a treating therapist and area administrator for all 4 clinics in Alaska. He was with this company until March 2006.
March 2006 lead to the dream of owning his own PT clinic. A building was purchased and the remodeling began to turn Arctic Siding and Supply into First Choice Physical Therapy. The construction began in April and doors were open and the first patient was seen July 5, 2006. Jeff is a hands on therapist and gives you the treatment he knows you deserve.
Jeff is a member of the American Academy of Wound Management and American Physical Therapy Association.
His wife, Deana LePage, is the office manager. She joined him with 8 years experience in a medical office and 3 of those years were spent working with Jeff at the local hospital in Worland, WY where they met and married in 2002. She has been employed by doctors and a surgery center in Alaska. She resigned her position with the physicians she was employed by to help Jeff fulfill his dream of opening his own clinic. She will fill in at the front desk, do laundry, clean, do billing, posting, etc. She runs the errands, pays the employees and takes care of all the financials for First Choice Physical Therapy. She is happy to answer any questions regarding the clinic.
Massage Therapist, Jessica McColl, LMT joined First Choice Physical Therapy in November 2006. She provides therapeutic massage to clients. She has been a LMT for several years and is a blessing to their staff. She specializes in 60 and 90 minute massages with skilled techniques. She uses hot rocks and swedish hot packs that many clients love! Other services she offers is TMJ Syndrome treatment, Prenatal, Reflexology, Stress Relief, Myofascial Release and Deep Tissue massage. Her skill, customer service and welcoming smile are an asset to First Choice Physical Therapy. You may see Jessica helping with office duties as well. Jessica lives in Willow and loves Alaska. She is a great cook and her smoked salmon is to die for!
Ruth Pechota came to First Choice Physical Therapy in April 2007. She came with 18 years experience in the Physical Therapy field. She has much knowledge in the office aspects of outpatient physical therapy. Ruth can fill in at the front desk, scheduling or help with room set up and cleaning; however, her strengths are definitely in the attention to detail required for daily billing, insurance and patient payment postings, and claim status. She is a team player and brings humor into the office. Ruth will help with anything anytime and is the person to ask if you have questions about insurance, billing, etc. Ruth lives in Palmer and loves animals. Her "other duties as assigned" include playing with Dutchess and Duke, the clinic mascot dogs.
Joan Liptak, PTA, came on board with First Choice Physical Therapy in April 2007. Joan graduated from Fort Morgan Community College in Colorado in 1998. She worked at the community hospital in outpatient, inpatient and aquatic physical therapy. She then transitioned to long term care in the Nebraska Panhandle for 5 years. Joan moved to Alaska in 2003 and worked in acute care with PAMC and moved to HealthSouth in October 2003. She worked there until she accepted the offer from First Choice Physical Therapy and joined our team! Joan lives in Pamer and loves the Valley. All her patients love her and she always has a smiling face and a positive attitude.
Wendy Moreiko, PTA, LMT, joined First Choice Physical Therapy in July 2007. Wendy was born in Alaska. She graduated from Arapaho Community College in Colorado with a PTA license in 1999. She graduated from Colorado School of Healing Arts for massage therapy in 2003. Wendy has worked for Rehabworks on call inpatient PT work at a SNF. She also gained experience by working for Concentra Medical Centers on call outpatient orthopedic PT. Spearly Medical Center was a supervisor position in restorative and PT care. Wendy started her own massage business in 2003, doing chair massage, on call work,private care in nursing homes, etc. She managed this business until moving back to Alaska in 2007. Wendy believes that in order to get the full benefit of physical therapy the clients need to be educated and involved in the progression of their care. Wendy is building a log home in Big Lake. She loves the quiet and all the trees. She has a passion for photography and puts her skills to great use at the clinic and at staff gatherings.
Lynn Frisby accepted a part time position in July 2007 as receptionist. Lynn is going to college to further her education in the culinary field. She works 3 days a week at the front dest. Lynn's customer service experience made her a wonderful addition to our staff. Lynn is the first face you see when entering the clinic on Monday, Thursday and Friday afternoons. She will answer your questions and give you the attention you deserve when entering our clinic. Lynn has lived in Alaska most of her life and loves shopping! She makes some absoultely delicious goodies she shares too!
Dianne Walters came on board with our team March 2008 as a full time recptionist. Dianne has a customer service background that shines. She is very detailed oriented and takes much pride in her work. Dianne will be the friendly face at the front desk every day except Tuesdays because we gave her 4 ten hour days! She loves Alaska, moved away for a short time and is back to stay as we won't let her leave now! She loves fast cars so I'm sure you'll see her at the track this summer!
We are a TEAM at First Choice and strive to make your experience a pleasant one! We look forward toserving you, your family and your friends! The best compliment you can give us is the referral of a loved one.
