Our Staff: Norman Clinic
The physical therapists at Physical Therapy Central all have advanced physical therapy degrees at either the Master's or Doctorate level. This allows the therapists to provide efficient and effective treatment outcomes for the patients. Each member of the staff completes a minimum of 40 continuing education hours per year to stay at the top of their field.
Board Certified in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy
Bridgit grew up in Oklahoma City with her two brothers and attended Casady high school where she lettered in basketball, volleyball and softball. She moved south to continue her education at Baylor University. Bridgit received an undergraduate and graduate degree in Exercise Physiology from Baylor University in 1988 and a B.S. in physical therapy from The University of Oklahoma in 1994. In March of 2005, she graduated from A.T. Stills with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. In December 2009, she completed the Executive Management Course with Evidence in Motion.
Bridgit is an APTA credentialed clinical instructor and works with students from all over the country. In 2009, Bridgit was awarded the prestigious Signe Brunstrom Award for excellence in clinical teaching by the American Physical Therapy Association. She has received the outstand clinical instructor award from Oklahoma City Community College, University of Oklahoma, and the Oklahoma Physical Therapy Association.
Bridgit is certified as an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) and specializes in Manual Therapy, Orthopedics and Spinal Dysfunction. She is actively involved in the APTA and OPTA since 1994. She is currently a member of the orthopedic and manual therapy section of the APTA. Bridgit is working toward a manual therapy certification through the North American Institute of Orthopedic Manual Therapy (NAIOMT) where she has successfully completed Levels I and II. Her goal is to be certified in Orthopedic manual therapy by 2011. She is a lifelong learner and continues to gain new skills to help her patients get Back to Work, Back to Play and Back to Life.
Bridgit resides in Norman and is interested include combining healthy eating with gourmet cooking, walking her dogs and cycling. She loves to travel and spend time with her friends. She is on a vision quest to find the perfect cup of coffee.
The staff of Physical Therapy Central would like you to know that we are compassionate professionals who are committed to achieving your personal goals. Please feel free to contact Bridgit with any questions at bfinley@ptcentral.org (405) 579-1600.
Casey was born and raised in the mountains of Southeastern Oklahoma. He attended the small high school of Buffalo Valley where he enjoyed success in baseball, basketball and competitive speech and debate among other activities.
Casey attended two years of junior college while playing baseball. He then transferred to the University of Oklahoma where he completed a Bachelors of Science degree in Health and Sport Science from the University of Oklahoma in 2005. He earned a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Langston University in 2009 where he also received the clinical education excellence award. The award is presented to the student with the highest ratings in the clinical education courses and the clinical education seminar courses throughout the program.
Casey's interests are in orthopedics, sports physical therapy, spinal dysfunction, manual therapy and sports conditioning. He is currently pursuing prerequisites for becoming a board certified orthopedic clinical specialist. Casey has been an active member of the APTA/OPTA and an orthopedic section member since 2006. Casey has been a National Strength and Conditioning Association Certified Personal Trainer (NSCA-CPT) since 2005.
Casey is currently co-conducting evidenced based physical therapy research in coordination with Langston University and Physical Therapy Central, Inc. The study focuses on physical therapy patients' understanding of written health related information. The study will be presented for publication in December, 2010.
When he is not at work, Casey enjoys spending time with his wife Heather, son Briar and his new baby son Bodee. He also enjoys cheering on the Sooners, cycling, snowboarding, water sports, working with his horses, hunting and fishing. If it has to do with the outdoors he's game!
The staff of Physical Therapy Central would like you to know that we are compassionate professionals who are committed to achieving your personal goals. Please feel free to contact Casey with any questions at ckirkes@ptcentral.org (405) 579-1600.
Elizabeth grew up in Yukon, Oklahoma with her parents and younger sister. She was involved in gymnastics and cheerleading when she was younger. She attended Yukon High School and was a cheerleader for the Millers. After high school, she attended the University of Oklahoma and went on to cheer for the OU Sooners from 2002-2004. Elizabeth also worked as a physical therapy technician during college and this was when she felt a calling to go into Physical Therapy as a profession. After completing her Bachelors of Science degree in Health Studies, she was accepted into OU's physical therapy program. Elizabeth received her Master of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in 2008.
While in PT school, Elizabeth was awarded the Oklahoma Physical Therapy Association W.K. West Scholarship in 2007 and also received the Elam-Plowman Physical Therapy Scholarship in both 2007 and 2008. The scholarships were based on academic excellence and GPA. Elizabeth had several clinical affiliations in outpatient orthopedic settings which emphasized exercise progression as well as manual and manipulative therapy. She worked with orthopedic surgeons for the first two years after graduating and has extensive experience in the area of sports medicine and post surgical rehabilitation.
Elizabeth is currently an active member of both the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and Oklahoma Physical Therapy Association (OPTA). Her interests include orthopedics, manual therapy and spinal dysfunctions. Continuing the program of excellence in education demonstrated by other Physical Therapy Central therapists, Elizabeth is interested in returning to school to earn her Doctorate of Physical Therapy. She will also pursue manual therapy certifications in order to broaden her ability to effectively evaluate and treat orthopedic patients.
Elizabeth resides in Norman, OK with her dog, Max. Max is quite the handful and has been known to jump into stranger's cars and run into neighbor's front doors if he gets the chance. Elizabeth is engaged to be married in August of 2010. Her fiancé owns and operates a local recording studio and is very involved in the music scene in Norman. Elizabeth and her fiancé enjoy traveling, doing anything outside and cheering on the OU Sooners.
The staff of Physical Therapy Central would like you to know that we are compassionate professionals who are committed to achieving your personal goals. Please feel free to contact Elizabeth with any questions at eevans@ptcentral.org (405) 579-1600.
Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy
Jake grew up in Edmond, OK with his younger siblings and graduated from Edmond Santa Fe High School. During high school he found his passion for extreme sports such as motocross and wakeboarding. He attended the University of Oklahoma and achieved his Bachelors of Science degree in Health studies in 2005. In 2007 he earned his Masters in Physical Therapy from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and was on the Dean's honor roll.
Upon graduating physical therapy school, Jake relocated to Dallas, Texas where he gained 4 years experience treating spinal and orthopaedic dysfunction. In 2008, Jake entered the North American Institute of Orthopaedic Manual Therapy (NAIOMT) program to become certified in manual/manipulative therapy. He is currently working on level III requirements as a NAIOMT fellowship student and plans to be certified by 2012. To further excel his knowledge in physical therapy Jake earned his Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) certification from the American Physical Therapy Association in 2010.
Jake has a strong passion towards manual therapy and specializes in orthopaedic spinal and extremity dysfunction. Jake has been a valued member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) since 2004. He obtained his APTA clinical instructor certification in 2009 and is currently a member of the APTA orthopaedic section.
Jake enjoys working with physical therapy students and is an avid OU fan. He spends his free time wakeboarding at the lake, running long distance, traveling with his friends and family, and enjoying life outdoors. He is engaged to get married in September 2011 and his fiancée is an elementary school teacher.
Feel free to contact Jake with any questions at jshockley@ptcentral.org (405) 579-1600.
Resident in Training, EIM Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy Residency Program
Susan is a transplanted Texan, having landed in Oklahoma after a long series of moves first with her immediate family as a child and then with her husband's career as an Air Force physician. She has lived in Ohio, Missouri, Washington, Oklahoma, Montana, Germany, and eight different cities in Texas. Susan decided to become a physical therapist while attending Texas A&M University as a zoology student. At that time, PT school was the final year of a bachelor's degree, so Susan transferred to UTMB at Galveston and there received finished her studies. She is probably one of few people who have an Aggie ring but a degree from UT. After graduation, Susan worked as a therapist at Galveston County Hospital, which is part of the UTMB system, for three years.
Susan is also a dedicated musician and obtained Bachelor's, Master's and a Doctorate of Musical Arts degree in Flute Performance. Her 2010 University of Oklahoma dissertation, An Application of Anatomy, Physiology, and Neurology to the Balancing and Playing of the Flute, represented a merging of Susan's two vocations, music and medicine, and won the National Flute Association's 2010 DMA/PhD Dissertation competition. This document was the impetus that renewed her interest in physical therapy and compelled her to return to the profession at an outpatient setting.
Susan is an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association, the Oklahoma Physical Therapy Association, and the Performing Arts Medical Association. Her interests include orthopedic outpatient therapy, manual therapy, and performance-related injuries and health promotions for musicians.
In addition to her work at Physical Therapy Central and free-lancing as a professional flutist, Susan enjoys cycling with her husband, watching episodes of House MD, and is a confirmed "Janeite" (a lover of all things Jane Austin).
The staff of Physical Therapy Central would like you to know that we are compassionate professionals who are committed to achieving your person goals. Please feel free to contact Susan with any questions at sfain@ptcentral.org (405) 579-1699.
Feel free to contact Susan with any questions at sfain@ptcentral.org (405) 579-1600.
"The back row is: Carrie Pyle, Elizabeth Evans, Susan Fain, Sara Weaver
Front: Casey Kirkes, Bridgit Finley, Jake Shockley"
Each physical therapist has received hundred of hours of training in manual therapy and spends one on one time with each patient to restore their motion, decrease their pain and get them back to their life.
Our Mission is to get you Back to Work, Back To Play, Back to Life.
Take a Tour of Our Clinic
Click here for the map and directions to our Norman location and a photo tour of our clinic.
