Rise Above
About Us
Get to Know Us a Bit Better
Summit Physical Therapy, Inc. was founded 2018 by Amanda J. Cherok, PT, DPT, Cert. MDT; Jay C. Cherok, PT, DPT, Cert. MSKUS; Christina A. De La Torre, PT, DPT; Kristin N. Oelschlegal, PT, DPT, OCS; and Joanna E. Riley, PT, DPT. Summit Physical Therapy, Inc. employs only the highest qualified clinicians with 30 years of combined experience and a variety of skills to meet the needs of our patients. The five Doctors of Physical Therapy practicing through Summit Physical Therapy, Inc. provide the most recent and effective evidence-based treatments available. This professional team shares an extensive background in manual therapy, orthopedics, ergonomic assessment, McKenzie mechanical diagnosis and therapy, functional dry needling, neurological rehab, diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound, strength and conditioning, sports performance, craniosacral therapy, lymphatic drainage, custom orthotic fabrication, instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization, myofascial release, and gait training.
Vision
Summit Physical Therapy, Inc. will be recognized as the premier provider for autonomous and comprehensive physical therapy services on the Kenai Peninsula. We will demonstrate compassion to our patients while giving them a unique rehabilitative experience tailored to their individual goals. Summit Physical Therapy, Inc. will also become a leader in the community through our associations with complimentary healthcare professionals, exceptional quality of care, focus on patient education, and utilization of evidence-based interventions for all age groups.
Mission
The mission of Summit Physical Therapy, Inc. is to provide superior preventative and rehabilitative care through skilled education and evidence-based treatment with genuine compassion and respect for each patient’s individual goals.
Our Team of Qualified Health Care Providers
Jay Cherok, PT, DPT, Cert. MSKUS
Physical Therapist
Jay graduated with his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Saint Francis University in 2011 with a minor in Neuroscience and undergraduate Bachelor's degree in Health Science. He has expanded his orthopedic experience working as a contract physical therapist and most recently has been serving the community of Homer since 2013 in an outpatient clinic. Jay completed his full certification in Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in 2016 and is currently completing coursework with the McKenzie Institute. He has also completed training with the Upledger Institute for Craniosacral Therapy, the Postural Restoration Institute, Blood Flow Restriction Therapy, and several courses pertaining to the differential diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders and treating the running athlete. Jay loves to educate and help his patients recover, but when he is not in the office, you can find this adventurous Eagle Scout throughout Alaska enjoying everything this great state has to offer. He is an active volunteer in the community and loves being able to give back to Homer. Jay's wife, Amanda, and children are who drive him to be the best husband, father, and person he can be.
Christina De La Torre, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist
Christina attended Florida State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science in 2009. She continued to the University of Central Florida to obtain her Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2012. She worked at a long-term care facility in California right after graduation until she moved to Homer, Alaska in 2015 and transitioned to an outpatient setting. Christina has completed continuing education courses in surgery and rehabilitation of the hand with emphasis on weekday and weekend warriors, level I and II of lymphatic drainage therapy, functional biomechanics of the lower quarter, and dementia rehabilitation. With her husband being in the military, she has moved from state to state. Homer has been the one place she and her family want to put down roots. Christina enjoys going on traveling adventures with her family, hiking across the bay, and finding different ways to stay active. She loves her work and being able to see the positive impact that physical therapy can have on people.
Kristin Oelschlegal, PT, DPT, OCS
Physical Therapist
Kristin graduated magna cum laude in 2010 with her B.S. in Kinesiology from Cal State San Marcos. She went on to complete her Doctorate in Physical Therapy through the University of St. Augustine in San Marcos, CA in 2013, graduating with high honors and awarded the Outstanding Physical Therapist award. Since graduating, Kristin has worked in fast-paced outpatient orthopedic and sports physical therapy clinics in the San Diego area, where she has specialized in rehabilitating post-operative conditions, sports related injuries, as well as various neurological and vestibular conditions. She completed the Rancho Physical Therapy Orthopedic Residency program in 2014, passing her boards in 2015 as an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS). Kristin has furthered her clinical specialties with training through the McKenzie Institute, the Postural Restoration Institute, and is certified in level I and II Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) through Hawk Grips. Outside of work, Kristin loves to be outdoors exploring Alaska, riding her horses, and playing in her garden.
Joanna Owen, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist
Joanna Owen attended the University of Vermont, graduating in 2011 with her BS in exercise and movement science and from the 3+3 program in 2013 with her Doctorate in Physical Therapy. After completing her degree Joanna went on as a traveling PT working in 5 different states and several different settings including a senior living center, multiple outpatient clinics and acute care hospitals. Joanna spent the last three years working in Homer at a private practice outpatient clinic as well as the local hospital. Joanna has completed her level I and II certifications in Functional Dry Needling. She also focuses on techniques utilized by the Postural Restoration Institute and plans to complete the PRI certification. Joanna’s passion is to work with young adults and teenagers in an orthopedic outpatient setting to assist them in achieving their full athletic potential. Her passion is also to help individuals restore their optimal functional posture to achieve movement freedom and reduce pain. In her free time, she enjoys playing hockey with the Diva’s, coaching youth hockey, skiing/ snowboarding, hiking with her friends and participating in Nose Work with her dog, Boston.
Amanda Cherok, PT, DPT. Cert. MDT
Physical Therapist
Amanda graduated with Honors from Saint Francis University in Loretto, PA in 2009 with her Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science and Minors in both Neuroscience and Psychology. She then earned her Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy from Saint Francis University in 2011, graduating magna cum laude. Amanda has worked in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Texas prior to moving to Alaska where she gained experience working in outpatient orthopedics, home health, and skilled nursing rehab. Amanda enjoys running, spending time with her kids, and hiking across the bay and throughout Alaska. Amanda focuses on helping her patients to understand their diagnosis in order to achieve the best possible results. Amanda is Certified in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy through the McKenzie Institute, continued studies in Craniosacral Therapy through Upledger, and Functional Dry Needling through Kinetacore.
Founders of Summit Physical Therapy
Christina De La Torre, Joanna Riley
Amanda Cherok, Kristin Oelschlegal, Jay Cherok
Lillian Connor, PTA
Physical Therapist Assistant
Lillian Connor graduated from the University of Alaska Anchorage on the Dean’s List with her
Associates of Arts with a focus in Alaska Native Studies in 2020. She earned her Associates of
Science in the Physical Therapist Assistant program through the University of Alaska
Anchorage in December 2021. After completing clinical rotations in Anchorage and Homer,
Lillian joined Summit Physical Therapy, Inc. She co-currently attained continuing education in
Balance Vision and Auditory Exercises. Lillian is a recreational athlete, a lifelong Alaskan, and
enjoyed a full career in Alaska’s commercial fishing industry before becoming a Physical
Therapist Assistant. She is looking forward to helping commercial fishermen, athletes and
post-surgical patients rehabilitate using her unique Alaskan experiences to connect with patients
on a personal level.
Physical Therapist
Aidan Philpot graduated Summa Cum Laude with his BS in Psychology from Clarke University in 2020. He continued at Clarke University to complete his Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2022. Aidan has also completed continuing education courses to become certified in orthotic fabrication through Sole Supports and Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) through Hawk Grips. In addition to his studies, Aidan earned a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) certification through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). Aidan enjoys working with patients to track down the specific deficits and impairments preventing them from returning to the activities and sports that they love. After spending 6 years in the Midwest, Aidan is ecstatic to be back home in Kachemak Bay and enjoy all that Alaska has to offer. In his free time, Aidan enjoys playing basketball, volleyball, weightlifting, hiking, and adventuring in the outdoors with his wife Olivia and dog Otolith.
Dawn Murphy, LMT, CPMT, CNMT
Massage Therapist, Certified Pediatric Msg Thr, Certified Neuromuscular Msg Thr
EVERY BODY needs massage! Each session I offer focuses on connecting the mind, body & spirit through massage, energy work & sound healing!
Through individualized massage therapy techniques my goal is to help clients escape from the chaos and stress they may experience in their daily lives and bring peace to their hearts & minds. It is my mission to help every client achieve a higher level of mental and physical wellness no matter their age and activity level.
Things to do, places to go, time flying by, waking up tired, repeating the cycle. Even when you have down time, you're so keyed up it takes you a long time to let the tension go.
That's what I hear again and again. I see what this does to a body, and it isn't a good thing.
I am a re-set button.
I'll get your "old" self back in your body and your mind. I know where to find the joy and spirit in you. I know how to remove layers of tension and stress, how to take you from tight to "alright!", how to get you breathing deeply and openly again.
Holding your breath right now? Then you're worse off than I thought - book now!
Nick Peterson, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist
Nick Peterson graduated with his Bachelors of Science in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Clarke University in Dubuque, Iowa in 2020. Since completing his Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Clarke University 2022, he has since been practicing in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. Nick, his girlfriend, and golden retriever are very excited for their move to Alaska! Nick is level 1 certified in Functional Dry Needling and enjoys treating disorders of the temporomandibular joint. Nick approaches patient care by developing individualized plans to manage pain through education, exercise, lifestyle modifications, and other techniques. Outside of Physical Therapy, he enjoys hiking, kayaking, biking, running, weightlifting, walking our dog, and camping.