Our Staff

 

Ron Kopitzke, PT, DPT, OCS

After working in Placerville for 8 years, in 1996 Ron opened Sierra Orthopaedic and Athletic Rehabilitation (SOAR). His objective was providing individualized quality care performed by a physical therapist.

 

Ron graduated from Loma Linda University in 1981 with a Bachelor's Degree in Physical Therapy. Soon after graduating he pursued his interest in sports and orthopedic rehabilitation. He has worked as an athletic trainer at the high school level as well as in the 1984 Olympics. In 1988 Ron and his wife moved to Northern California so she could obtain her graduate degree. Ron moved to Placerville to continue his passion of orthopedic rehabilitation. In 1996 Ron started SOAR with the objective of providing individualized quality care. In 2001 Ron achieved his Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) accreditation. He is one of 4000 orthopedic specialists in the U.S. In 2004 Ron went back to school to study evidenced-based medicine. He graduated from Rocky Mountain University with a Doctorate Degree in Physical Therapy.

 

He is continuing to pursue his interest in athletic and orthopedic injuries, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, and biomechanics of the foot and ankle with orthosis fabrication.

 

Ron practices what he teaches, including windsurfing, mountain biking, skiing, and snow boarding in his off-hours activities. Ron and his family have lived in the Placerville area since 1988.

 

Ron Thompson, PT

Ron joined SOAR in 2007. Ron brings 28 years of clinical and managerial experience to SOAR. Following his 1982 graduation from Loma Linda University, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy, Ron joined a busy, growing practice along the North Coast of California as a staff therapist. While in that capacity Ron worked in many settings including several outpatient clinics, hospital-based acute inpatient care, SNF long-term care, and home health care. After just two years working as a staff therapist, Ron was recognized as a competent physical therapist and leader and was invited to join the private practice through partnership. For the next 20+ years Ron contributed to the continued growth of the practice to include: 6 satellite outpatient clinics which specialized in orthopedic ambulatory medicine; several contracts with the local rural hospitals to provide in-patient acute care for orthopedic, neurological, and general medicine patients; contracts to provide staffing for local home health agency; and finally, industrial consultant work for the lumbar industry that is/was prevalent along the North Coast of California.

 

Ron's primary clinical interests are in outpatient orthopedics, and he has participated in more than 45 continuing education courses over the years to maintain his clinical skills and to stay abreast of the constantly changing research and treatment techniques.

 

Ron incorporates manual therapy along with therapeutic exercise for most patients. Modalities are utilized sparingly when indicated. Ron treats patients with concern for the immediate physical symptoms, however, he doesn't stop there. He encourages his patients to think long-term, and the take ownership of their injuries/issues. He strives to educate each patient regarding their injury and provide them with preventative strategies/exercises to follow through with at home. He is determined that patients have a clear understanding of how to manage any residual/chronic symptoms after a therapy regimen has run its course.

 

In 2005 Ron left the North Coast of California to be nearer to his three adult children and to enjoy the change in climates. He enjoys outdoor recreation and plays golf as often as his work and family life permits.

 

Kristy English, MPT

Kristy has been working as an outpatient orthopedic physical therapist since 2007. She graduated from the University of California, Davis, in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Exercise Biology. She became focused on physical therapy after experiencing recurrent episodes of knee pain with running during her early college years. Her knee pain was later resolved completely with exercise, thus began her passion to help others the way she had been helped. In 2006, she graduated Magna Cum Laude from Fresno State University with a Masters in Physical Therapy.

 

Kristy joined Sierra Orthopaedic & Athletic Rehabilitation in 2008. She commonly treats patients at SOAR who have diagnoses of total knee replacement, meniscus tear, shoulder impingement, rotator cuff repair, lateral epicondylitis, cervical strain, lumbar radiculopathy, and plantar fasciitis. It is Kristy’s desire that patients in her care have a positive experience with physical therapy, be educated on their particular diagnosis in a way they understand, and that they understand what the exercises are doing to help improve their current condition.

 

Kristy has lived in the Placerville area for the past two years. She had previously lived in Elk Grove, California, to be close to her family. However, she recently married which brought her to the Placerville area. She enjoys many outdoor activities including snowboarding, snowshoeing, hiking, fly-fishing, and backpacking.