Select a staff group
MEET OUR CLINICAL STAFF
| Geert Audiëns is a graduate of the University of Brussels in Belgium where he received his degree in Physical Therapy in 1985. He was awarded certifications in Cyriax, Manual Therapy, and McKenzie Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy between 1985 and 1997. Following his graduation in 1985, he opened his own private clinic in Mechelen, Belgium. While a practicing clinician, Geert also served as a consultant for a professional basketball team. Following 14 years of managing his clinic, Geert came to the U.S., assuming the position of Clinical Specialist and Supervisor of an out-patient spine clinic in Lumberton, NC. His vast clinical experience includes all aspects of orthopedics and sports related injuries. In 2002 the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties accredited Geert as an Orthopedic Certified Specialist (OCS), a certification held by only 2% of the physical therapists in the United States at that time. He is one of few therapists in the greater Raleigh Area with a certification in McKenzie, Cyriax and Orthopedic Manual Therapy. When not seeing patients or managing Avante PT, Geert enjoys working out and entertaining his daughter Yannick. |  |
 |
Heather Reeves is a graduate of the University of Cape Town, South Africa, where she received her degree in Physical Therapy in 1993. She was awarded her post-graduate certification in Orthopedic Manual Therapy in South Africa in 1997. Since her graduation in 1993, she has worked extensively with orthopedic and sports patients in various settings in South Africa, England, and the U.S. This included physical therapy management of a state rugby team. She accepted the position of Senior Physical Therapist in an out-patient spine clinic in the U.S. in 1998. Heather has been teaching Manual Therapy in the U.S. since 2000. In 2002 Heather earned her accreditation as an Orthopedic Certified Specialist (OCS) from the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties, a certification which was held by only 2% of the physical therapists in the United States at that time. She was awarded her Fellowship through the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists in 2006, a title which is currently held by only a handful of therapists in North Carolina. Heather continues to treat various orthopedic patients in the clinic, but specializes in and loves treating complicated musculoskeletal complaints and conditions. When not treating patients and managing the clinic, Heather loves spending time with her husband and three small children. It is extremely entertaining getting life's perspective from three little ladies!! Who needs to pay for entertainment when you have them at home...... |
| Andrea Westbrook is originally from Janesville, Wisconsin, and is a graduate of Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where she received her Doctorate Degree in Physical Therapy in 2005. She also received her Bachelors Degree in Spanish in 2003 and is well versed in the Spanish language. In January 2009, Andrea earned her accreditation as a Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist (COMT) under the Maitland Australian Physiotherapy Institute, and is now one of few therapists with this certification in North Carolina. She has a variety of clinical experience working with orthopedic conditions, balance and vestibular dysfunctions, work-related injuries and sports injuries. She was trained in Pilates in 2007, and is now teaching one-on-one core strengthening at Avante. She has also designed and implemented a group core strengthening class in the Cary clinic, which is designed for current and past patients to maintain strength and stability following injuries. She has taken several continuing education courses in manual therapy including the McKenzie and Maitland philosophies, and has a broad knowledge base and clinical experience in vestibular rehabilitation. |  |
 |
Jamie Tjalma is originally from the Eastern Shore of Maryland and moved to North Carolina in 1998 to attend High Point University. She graduated with a B.S in Exercise Science in 2002 and went on to receive both Master's and Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She first worked in an outpatient clinic in Raleigh where she treated a general orthopedic population, including low back pain in pregnant women. Jamie joined the Avante staff in 2006 and has been busy developing her manual skills since. Jamie was awarded her Certification as an Orthopedic Manual Therapist (COMT) through the Maitland Australian Physiotherapy Institute in 2010. She was also certified as a Pilates Instructor by the Pilates Certification Center in 2007. She enjoys the individualized care setting provided at Avante as it gives her the opportunity to get to know each of her patients on a personal level. Jamie lives in Durham with her husband and their dog. She enjoys being outdoors, primarily biking and running, and also enjoys reading and watching movies. She loves watching sports and is a die-hard fan of both the Tar-heels and Panthers. |
| Jon Paryz is a Physical Therapist and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist specializing in sports medicine and general orthopedics. Jon received his Physical Therapy degree from Daemen College in Amherst, NY in 1993 and became NSCA Certified as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist in 2002. He focuses on treatment of the body as a whole and on re-educating proper movement patterns. He believes a proper, thorough evaluation to identify the source of the patient's dysfunction and symptoms, and not merely treating the symptoms, is key to long-term relief. Jon relies heavily on functional manual therapy as well as patient education to achieve his patients' goals. He has a special interest in working with tennis athletes. In addition to working with top-ranked ATP and WTA professionals, he has worked with athletes from all sports, including the Carolina Ballet, NCAA, NHL, MLB, NFL, Arena Football, LPGA, US and Foreign Olympic teams. While in Tampa, Florida, Jon worked with touring tennis professionals and top-ranked juniors from both the Saddlebrook and Palmer Academies. He has taught national seminars to other physical therapists on how to evaluate and treat the tennis athlete and the biomechanics of tennis. He has also given lectures on running biomechanics, injury prevention and plyometric training. Jon is skilled in evaluating and fitting for temporary and permanent orthotics. He is also involved in sports performance enhancement and personal training. |  |
 |
Bonnie Mangino is originally from northwestern New Jersey, and received her BS in Biology with a concentration in Physical Therapy from East Stroudsburg University. She went on to receive her Master's degree in Physical Therapy from Allegheny University in 1997. Bonnie worked in a variety of clinical settings before joining Avante Physical Therapy in 2009. Bonnie's clinical skills are diversified, and she offers extensive experience with orthopedic and sports therapy, vestibular and balance rehabilitation, foot and ankle rehabilitation, CranioSacral therapy, and pregnancy and postpartum rehabilitation. She has taken several continuing education courses in manual therapy including Maitland, NAIOMT, and Kaltenborn-Evjenth. Her philosophy of care emphasizes patient education, manual therapy, and therapeutic exercise with the ultimate goals of functional improvement and patient satisfaction. On her weekends, Bonnie enjoys cooking for her family, mountain biking, and traveling. She is an avid reader and hasn't had a TV since 1998. |
| Joel Cabrera is originally from Miami, Florida and earned a B.S in Health Science, B.A. in Psychology and a Masters in Physical Therapy at the University of Florida. Joel first worked in a downtown Miami hospital predominantly treating patients following orthopaedic surgeries and traumatic injuries. He later transitioned into an outpatient orthopaedic setting in Aventura, Florida treating patients with spinal and extremity disorders. To expand his knowledge base, Joel became a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist in 2005 and is in the process of completing his manual therapy curriculum through the University of St. Augustine, founded by Stanley Paris. Joel is excited to work with an excellent and supportive team at Avante, where he can continue to develop his manual therapy skills and provide individualized care. Joel is an avid athlete, having competed in water polo at the collegiate level. He now focuses his energy on running, strength training and participating in triathlons. Joel lives in Durham with his wife, son and daughter. |  |
 |
Marshall Smith is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he received his degree in Physical Therapy in 1984. He has worked in an outpatient orthopedic setting for 22 of his 25 years as a physical therapist. Early in his career, while working in a specialized clinic for hand and arm care, he became a certified hand therapist. Since that time, Marshall has attended numerous continuing education courses focusing on evaluation and treatment of the spine and lower extremity. In addition, he has advanced training and clinical experience treating temporomandibular disorders. As a native of Cary, Marshall was pleased to return to his home town and join the Avante staff in August of 2009. |
Todd Erbst has been a physical therapist for 18 years, 17 of which have been devoted to orthopedics and sports medicine. He believes in training movement, not muscles, as taught extensively by Gary Gray, PT and Vern Gambetta. He enjoys treating high school athletes, adult weekend warriors and runners of all ages. He has worked with many professional athletes from baseball and hockey players to ballet dancers and elite runners. Todd has a strong background in rehabilitation of running injuries and is a proponent of teaching proper running biomechanics for both injury prevention and performance enhancement. For 16 years he has been evaluating and fitting appropriate clients with both temporary and permanent custom foot orthotics to decrease pain and maximize foot and lower extremity function. |
 |
 |
Oscar Perez obtained his Masters in Physical Therapy (MPT) with advanced orthopedic, neurological and general medicine studies from Loma Linda University in 2003. He practiced physical therapy in San Francisco, CA where he refined his manual therapy skills while attending Maitland-Australian Physiotherapy seminars in preparation to become a certified orthopedic manual therapist. His practice focuses on identifying impairments in movement, alignment, muscle length, stiffness, performance and how it relates to pain to abolish it. Oscar enjoys working together with the patient to set out a well thought out plan to select specific therapeutic skills to correct movement patterns with all activities. His therapeutic skills include techniques such as Combined Movements, Neurodynamics, Stabilization Training, and Advanced Clinical reasoning with supporting Evidence Based Medicine research. He also frequently uses Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation, Muscle Energy Techniques, Myofascial Release, Mulligan and Mckenzie techniques. Oscar recently moved to North Carolina, and brings with him a commitment to delivering high quality care and achieving excellent patient outcomes. His compassion and commitment to his field is evident as he strives to continue to build on his medical knowledge and provide his patients with the most up-to-date treatments. When Oscar is not practicing, he enjoys listening to the North Carolina Symphony, running, hiking, cooking, swimming, mixing music and enjoying the company of his new Australian Shepherd puppy named Lucky. |
| Dana Wilson is a recent graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a degree in Exercise Science and Psychology. Dana has experience working as a personal trainer, helping clients work towards meeting specific and individual goals. Dana's energetic and enthusiastic personality will have a positive impact and play an important role in helping patients reach their physical therapy goals. Dana joined Avante Physical Therapy in October 2009 and is excited to be a part of our dynamic team! |  |
 |
Soepiah Cole is a graduate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in Exercise Sports Science, and joined Avante in May of 2006. As a PT Technician, Soepiah follows up the therapy sessions by assisting in the application of modalities for the patients. She enjoys working with patients and helping them meet their rehabilitation goals. |
| Elizabeth Nixon graduated in the spring of 2008 from the University of North Carolina of Greensboro with her Bachelors Degree in Exercise and Sports Science with a minor in dance. She has experience in a variety of physical therapy settings and enjoys getting to know the patients of all different ages and backgrounds. Elizabeth is excited to be a part of the Avante team! |  |
 |
Caitlin Davis joined the clinic in the summer of 2009 and is a graduate of East Carolina University with a degree in Exercise Physiology. She has completed an internship in Cardiac and Pulmonary rehab and is a Certified Health Fitness Specialist through ACSM. Caitlin enjoys working one-on-one with patients and enjoys getting to know them personally and watch them meet their treatment goals. |
Martha Kartaoui