Meet the PHRC Team

Clinical Team

Stephanie Prendergast, MPT
Cofounder
PHRC West Los Angeles, CA
Stephanie grew up in South Jersey. She received her Bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology from Rutgers University and her Master’s in physical therapy at the Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University in Philadelphia. In 2013 Stephanie was the first physical therapist to be President of the International Pelvic Pain Society. For balance, Steph turns to exercise, cooking, and spending time outdoors with her husband and their rescue dogs, Carlo and Reyna.
Elizabeth Akincilar, MSPT
Cofounder
PHRC Merrimack, NH
Liz received her Masters of Physical Therapy from the University of Miami Medical School. She is a Pennsylvania native but spent much of her early professional career in San Francisco. In 2015 Liz was excited to move back to the east coast to open PHRC’s first New England location. Now she is a fully acclimated New Englander who loves the four seasons. Liz’s happy place is in the kitchen cooking for friends and family or in the mountains with her partner and two rescue German Shepherds, Gunner and Jackson.
Melinda Fontaine, DPT
Walnut Creek, CA
Melinda is a native of Concord, California. Melinda earned her bachelor’s degree in exercise biology from UC Davis and her doctorate in physical therapy from Simmons College in Boston. She enjoys working with children and adults of all ages, and she believes in listening to a person’s whole story when making a treatment plan. When she’s not at PHRC, you’ll find her either dashing around in her running shoes or cooking up delectable meals for her family. She’s famous for her killer baked chimichangas and her inability to stick to a recipe.
Shannon Pacella, DPT
Lexington, MA
Shannon received both her Doctor of Physical Therapy and bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Simmons College in Boston, MA. She takes an integrative and mindful approach to treatment, focusing on restoring function and reaching each individual’s goals. Shannon is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association’s Academy of Pelvic Health. She has a love for travelling, and has taken part in teaching a pelvic health course to physical therapists in Nairobi, Kenya. Shannon was born and raised on Cape Cod, where she regularly goes to visit family. She is a self-proclaimed ‘foodie’ and loves exploring restaurants all around the Boston area.
Jandra Mueller, DPT, MS
Director of Internal and External Education
Encinitas, CA
Jandra (pronounced like "Sandra") recently relocated to Encinitas, CA; but, is an L.A. native. After living in Hawaii and Oregon for the previous 10 years and then returning to L.A., she needed to find a home that could fit her needs of a busy and driven lifestyle, with the soothing nature of the ocean. Jandra utilizes an integrative and holistic approach to find solutions that are individualized to a person's needs and wants. In addition to her Doctorate in Physical Therapy, and her advanced training in pelvic floor physical therapy, Jandra has completed her Master's of Science degree in Integrative Health and Nutrition to help those with chronic pelvic pain conditions as changes in diet and lifestyle can make a large difference in one's health and wellbeing. When Jandra is not working or studying, you can find her playing at the beach, doing yoga, surfing, or twirling around the dance floor at the salsa spots in town.
Kim Norton, DPT
Lexington, MA
Kim was born and raised in Somerville MA. She received her Bachelors Degree in Exercise and Health Science at UMass Boston and her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Northeastern University. She emphasizes education as a crucial part of her treatment approach and loves helping her patients understand how to keep themselves well. When outside of work, Kim is an active supporter of her sister’s roller derby team and enjoys spending her free time eating great food and sitting out on her patio with her family and friends.
Molly Bachmann, DPT
Columbus, OH
Molly Bachmann was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. She attended the University of Oklahoma, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Ballet Performance and Global Health. After studying public health in India, China, and South Africa, she worked as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Sierra Leone during the Ebola crisis. Molly has also spent many summers teaching English, dance, and art at the American School in Switzerland. Molly graduated with her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Pittsburgh and was President of her class. Molly has worked in orthopedics and pelvic health since graduating and is now also certified as a birth doula. Molly moved to San Francisco to work with Pelvic Health and Rehab Center and traveled to Kenya Medical Training College in 2022 to train new Pelvic Health Physios. She loves helping patients across the gender and age spectrum reach their goals, teaching all about pelvic health and looks forward to expanding Pelvic Health access in the Midwest. Molly enjoys international travel, hiking with her dog Opal, baking, skiing, and has run 3 marathons.
Reyna Hutchison, DPT
Los Gatos, CA
Reyna was born and raised in Minnesota, where she attended the University of Minnesota and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. She went on to complete her Doctorate in Physical Therapy at the University of Jamestown, where she discovered her passion for pelvic health. She is committed to being a strong advocate, motivator, and source of empowerment for her patients. She has a background in pediatrics and orthopedics and loves working with people of all ages. Reyna is enjoying the warmer weather on the west coast and the never-ending exploration of the Bay area. She spends her free time finding new and fun ways to stay active, cooking with her partner, reading a good book, hiking in the mountains, and spoiling her dog, Savannah.
Melissa Patrick, PT, DPT
Lexington, MA
Melissa received her Bachelors in Human Services from Elon University in NC. After completing yoga teacher training, she found her passion for anatomy and therapeutic movement. Melissa then moved to Boston, MA to earn her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Simmons University where she discovered her enthusiasm for pelvic health. Melissa began her practice in orthopedics and is committed to using information from the entire body to facilitate restoration of pelvic health. Her empathetic approach is geared towards helping patients connect to their body’s needs during healing and beyond through gentle, individualized techniques. Melissa remains diligent in her practice of yoga and enjoys teaching the art of slowing down and self-care through her restorative and prenatal class offerings. Melissa is a member of the APTA Academy of Pelvic Health and is dedicated to serving this patient population through ongoing advocacy and education. Born and raised in Wyoming, Melissa has a passion for the outdoors and enjoys hiking in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. She recharges her batteries by inviting play into her practices through music, art, and somatic movement.
Emily Eckmann, PT, DPT
West Los Angeles, CA
Emily was born and raised in Seattle, WA and has been enjoying the abundance of sunshine she's been missing the first part of her life. She earned her bachelor's degree in Human Physiology from Gonzaga University where she also played varsity soccer for four years. She took a detour to the East Coast after college to spend a year at the University of Virginia to earn her Master's in Commerce and travel the world to learn about global business practice. After working in corporate wellness for 2 years, she decided to return to school where she received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Southern California. She has a passion for working with patients with pelvic pain and taking a trauma-informed approach to treatment. She has a background in working in outpatient orthopedics where she utilized movement retraining and whole body techniques to change how people move to decrease their pain. When Emily is not working she is planning a ski trip, reading too many books, exploring National Parks or spending time with family and friends. She's thinking about taking up pottery as a new hobby.
Jillian Ramos, PT, DPT, MFDc
Berkeley, CA
Jillian immigrated with her family from the Philippines when she was 7 years old and spent her childhood and teen years in the Bay Area and Central Valley, respectively. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sport Science at the University of San Francisco, followed by her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at the UCSF/SFSU joint program. Jillian started her career in orthopedics, working with folks from all walks of life; her interest in pelvic floor physical therapy stemmed from observing the influence of pelvic health in her patients’ musculoskeletal conditions and overall quality of life. In her practice, she strives to meet each person where they are at, create a safe therapeutic environment, and collaborate with her patients to meet their individual goals. During her free time, Jillian loves a good workout, as well as jamming to her favorite songs (while pretending she can hit all the high notes), journaling, and spending time with her loved ones.
Lauren Rogne, PT, DPT
San Francisco, CA
Lauren received her Bachelor’s Degree in Human Science from Georgetown University, where she was also a Division I swimmer. Her love for physical therapy began when she was a patient herself receiving physical therapy for sports-related injuries. She received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of California, San Francisco/San Francisco State University’s joint program. She began her career in orthopedics where her treatment approach emphasized movement analysis, neuromuscular re-education, and patient education. Her interest in pelvic floor physical therapy began in graduate school and grew stronger as she continuously was reminded of the impact that pelvic health has on her patient’s pain, general musculoskeletal health, and overall function. Lauren wishes to meet the individual needs of all her patients and uses an integrated approach to aid in each person’s unique recovery process. She feels privileged to be a part of her patients’ journeys to improved health and quality of life. In her free time, Lauren enjoys cycling, tennis, traveling, and spending time with loved ones.
Amanda Stuart, PT, DPT
West Los Angeles, CA
Amanda grew up in Boston and moved to the sunny state of California in 2019. She received her Bachelors degree in Exercise Science from Sacred Heart University and her Doctorate degree at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Amanda initially started out treating pediatrics before discovering her passion for pelvic health. Currently, she treats both the pediatric and adult population pertaining to pelvic floor dysfunction. In her free time, Amanda enjoys traveling and engaging in all kinds of outdoor physical activity including surfing, rock climbing and hiking.
Alexa Savitz, PT, DPT
Pasadena, CA
Alexa received her Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from Temple University in Philadelphia. She went on to dance professionally while traveling the high seas on cruise ships and nationally on tour. Following her dancing days, she earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Southern California. She was introduced to pelvic health prior to graduate school as a rehab aide and ever since then she has been passionate about increasing awareness of the field. She is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and Academy of Pelvic Health. She aspires to provide education and a collaborative space to improve quality of life and well being. In her free time, Alexa enjoys traveling, hiking, spending time with her family and dog, dancing, and finding the best pizza in LA.
Summer Moss, DPT
Berkeley, CA
Summer received her doctorate in physical therapy from Samuel Merritt University in California. She is a physical therapist by trade and goofball by heart. She has experience working with clients across age ranges and settings including both school and medical based physical therapy for those with neurological, orthopedic, developmental, and musculoskeletal conditions. Additionally, she has experience with both indoor and outdoor adaptive exercise courses for adults with disabilities.

Outside of physical therapy, Summer has an extensive background in mental health advocacy work at both a local and national level. She prides herself on strong communication skills and empathetic connection with clients. Always curious, she seeks to understand before being understood and always welcomes questions.
Kristen Dias, DPT
Westlake Village, CA
Kristen received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychobiology at UCLA. Interested in health, she pursued her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the UCSF/SFSU joint program. She was drawn to physical therapy because of her athletic background in softball and running, but soon became fascinated with pelvic floor conditions in graduate school. Kristen is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association’s Academy of Pelvic Health. She began taking additional coursework from this organization in graduate school because she felt passionate about serving this population. Kristen’s goal is to create a welcoming environment and help patients feel empowered through education and exercise. She enjoys rock climbing, exploring the California coastline, and spending time with family.
Courtney Mikowicz, DPT
Walnut Creek, CA
Courtney is an East Bay, CA native. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Biochemistry from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Florida in Gainesville. She began her career working in orthopedics and developed a passion for pelvic floor physical therapy after the birth of her first child. She is passionate about working with the peripartum/postpartum populations and is excited to help reach more patients who need additional support in order to feel their best. She is currently working on becoming a pregnancy and postpartum certified specialist (PCES). In her free time, you can find her spending time with her husband, and chasing her two kids around the East Bay parks. She also enjoys music, coffee, traveling, baking cookies, and HGTV.
Lauren VanCitters, PT, DPT, CFMT
Los Gatos, CA
Lauren grew up in Reno, NV, and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Biochemistry & Molecular Biology from the University of Nevada, Reno. She completed her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of California, San Francisco/San Francisco State University, and went on to a post-graduate training program in Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) at an acute rehabilitation facility. Lauren then became a Certified Functional Manual Therapist through the Institute of Physical Art, earning it with Distinction which is the highest level of achievement for this certification. Lauren has continued to broaden her knowledge and understanding of the human form, including pelvic floor physical therapy. She uses her experience in treating a variety of conditions to provide a comprehensive treatment approach to fully address her patient’s needs. Lauren likes to stay active by running, hiking, and doing yoga in her free time. She is a member of the Impala Racing Team, an elite all-women’s running team based in San Francisco. She has run several marathons and half marathons and is in the process of completing all the World Marathon Majors.
Lydia Closson, OTR/L
Merrimack, NH
Lydia is a New England native. She attended Quinnipiac University where she received a bachelor’s in Health Science and a master’s degree in Occupational Therapy. In her graduate year of college, she traveled to Guatemala with fellow OTs, PTs, and nurses for a service trip, where she treated young children with disabilities in clinics and in their homes. This trip confirmed and reinforced her drive for helping others and empowered her as continued her journey to becoming an OT. Lydia began her career working in inpatient rehabilitation, where she gained experience working with individuals with a variety of orthopedic, neurological, and musculoskeletal conditions. Here she learned the importance of getting to know each patient, what inspires them, and how to structure their rehab goals accordingly. She strives to help each of her patients live their lives to the fullest and has found her passion in pelvic health. Outside of work, Lydia is happiest spending time outdoors, hiking with her dog, running, and traveling.
Tiffany Vo, PT, DPT
San Francisco, CA
Tiffany is a Bay Area native and received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Samuel Merritt University after several years of teaching group fitness classes, for San Francisco-based barre and Lagree studios. Her student clinical included several settings that allowed her to work with a wide array of musculoskeletal, neurological, and cardiopulmonary conditions and a spectrum of physical and mental abilities. Prior to physical therapy school, she was introduced to pelvic floor physical therapy after a conversation with a urologist that attended one of her barre classes. The benefits that this field provided several of her close friends further fueled her interest and motivation to serve this population. Tiffany is also a member of the American Physical Therapy Association’s Academy of Pelvic Health. She hopes to foster body positivity and empower her patients through active listening, relevant patient education, and collaboration. Outside of the clinic, you can find Tiffany taking a yoga, Pilates, or dance class, spending time with family and friends, or relaxing at a local coffee shop.
Danae Narvaza PT, DPT
Encinitas, CA
Danae was born and raised in the culturally diverse South Bay region of San Diego. She holds a Doctorate of Physical Therapy and a Bachelor's Degree of Science in Kinesiology, with a Pre-Emphasis in Physical Therapy, both earned at San Diego State University. Her profound passion for pelvic health blossomed when she realized the transformative impact her skills could have on building families, enhancing relationships and intimacy, providing comfort to survivors of sexual assault, creating a welcoming space for the LGBTQIA+ community, and addressing the healthcare disparities faced by underserved populations in relation to pelvic health. Recognizing that pelvic health encompasses not only physical well-being but also emotional, mental, and social aspects, Danae places great emphasis on delivering empathetic care and cultivating meaningful connections with her patients. She is dedicated to developing collaborative programs tailored to meet each individual's unique needs. By fostering an inclusive and supportive environment, Danae strives to ensure that patients from all backgrounds feel seen, heard, and empowered throughout their therapeutic journey. When she is not in the clinic, Danae finds joy in spending time with her loved ones, tending to her plants, weightlifting, dancing, and finding solace by the ocean.
Jillian Farren, PT, DPT
West LA and Westlake Village
Jillian was born in Washington state, where she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology at Western Washington University. She then moved to San Marcos, CA where she earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at University of St Augustine for Health Sciences. She has since relocated to Los Angeles where she loves to go to the beach and visit local coffee shops. She began her career in orthopedic physical therapy but developed a passion for working specifically with patients dealing with pelvic floor dysfunction. Jillian believes in treating every patient with compassion and respect while developing a comprehensive plan of care as a team. In her free time, Jillian loves to participate in weightlifting classes, reading a variety of books, and traveling (her favorite location so far is Japan).

Administrative Team

Lisa Topete
Director of Administration
Northern California, Berkeley, CA
Lisa is a Bay Area native with 29 years experience in medical office management and billing /collection management. She enjoys cooking, reading, watching Hallmark movies and spending time with her family. You can always find her with a dark roast coffee in her hand.
Brittany Abejelo
Director of Human Resources
Los Gatos, CA
Brittany graduated from San Jose State University in May of 2015. While at San Jose State she majored in Nutrition. Brittany enjoys hiking, traveling, shopping, and spending time with her family, especially her Shih-Tzu / Maltese pup, Finn.
Sabrina Dickerson
West Los Angeles, CA
Sabrina is a Washington Metropolitan area native and has a strong passion for helping people. She spends her free time writing and creating music. She also enjoys spending time with her partner, tiny pup Kizzy, friends and family (especially at the beach, hiking and picnics in the park).
Emily Tran
Westlake Village, CA
Emily is Ventura, CA local. After receiving her BA in Psychology from CSU Monterey Bay, she is now studying at Capella University to become a Marriage and Family Therapist. She dedicates her free time working as an advocate in the mental health field. For fun, she enjoys hiking, roller skating, exploring California, and cleaning up her local community.
Karina Diaz
Pasadena, CA
Karina was born and raised in Pasadena. She graduated from UEI college in 2016 and achieved her medical assistant certification. She loves hiking, going to the beach, traveling, and just being outdoors. When she is not outdoors she enjoys binge watching history documentaries and being with her 3 chichuahuas.
Jacob Berg
Lexington, MA
Jacob was born in Boston and raised in Bedford, MA. He has an associate in Information Technologies from Southern New Hampshire University. Jacob is an identical twin and currently has two cats (Corvo and Goku). Jacob enjoys anything that gets him outdoors and into the woods, he is an avid gamer of both tabletop and video games; and dabbles in bass guitar.
Sarah Tello
San Francisco, CA
Sarah was born in Brazil and raised in the Bay Area, and they are happy to be back home now after attending college at UC Santa Cruz. They studied History of Art and Visual Culture and Feminist Studies but after working at their college radio station for a few years, they are now a music producer and DJ in the underground music scene. They are happy to be working with a genuine team assisting and taking care of patients with a variety of different experiences.
Wendy Rosas
Encinitas, CA
Wendy graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Communications from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona. She was born and raised in Northern California but made San Diego her home in the summer of 2021. In her free time she enjoys painting, jewelry making, and relaxing at the beach.
Aurora Pancoast
Walnut Creek, CA
Aurora is currently enrolled at DVC, pursuing her passion for helping people. She is originally from San Ramon, California and in her free time, she enjoys almost anything outdoors including walking, hiking, and searching tide pools for rare creatures with her partner.