Community Connection at Its Best
December 2025 Newsletter
Our connection to the community remained at the heart of everything we did in 2025. We were thrilled to partner with and support organizations that share our passion for empowerment and well-being, including:
- Anchorage, Wasilla & Palmer High School Athletics — supporting student-athletes and future leaders
- The Alaska Down Syndrome Network — helping build awareness and inclusion across Alaska
- Glacier Surgical’s Free Sports Physicals Event with Now Health — ensuring young athletes had access to safe, supportive healthcare
Beyond those events, Empower proudly sponsored over 10 local organizations and schools, opened our Palmer Clinic to the community for a vibrant Open House, and connected with DPT students across the Lower 48 to share the Empower story.
Celebrating Our People
At Empower, growth isn’t just about numbers — it’s about people.
This year, our team celebrated an incredible number of personal milestones that filled our halls with joy:
- 3 new babies joined the Empower family
- 10 teammates moved — some across Alaska, others into brand-new homes
- 3 engagements and 3 weddings brought love and celebration into our year
- 11 individuals spent their first year at Empower, bringing fresh energy and new ideas
- 100% of our team got outside this summer, embracing Alaska’s natural beauty together
Team Favorites: Our Top Moments of 2025
When we asked the Empower team to share their favorite memories from this year, the answers painted a beautiful picture of laughter, teamwork, and togetherness:
- White Water Rafting at Six Mile Creek
- Laser Tag at the Extreme Fun Center in Wasilla
- Tubing at Arctic Valley
- The Butte Hike & Mirror Lake Day
- Palmer Clinic Open House
- Memorial Day BBQ
- Turkey Trot Team
Whether navigating rapids, chasing each other through laser tag arenas, or laughing together over inner-tube races, every moment captured what it means to be part of the Empower family.
Empower Culture: Gratitude in Action
When we asked our team to “name a teammate who helped you this year,” the responses were a beautiful reminder of why Empower is so special.
From mentorship and teamwork to kindness and creativity, every name shared reflected the heart of who we are:
Brianna, Sarah, Salem, Keanna, Becca, Rob, Haley, Morgan, Dylan, Renae, Hayley L., Haley S., Jojo, Jeff, Steve, Dustin, Lauren, Kevin, Jeff, Eleni — and of course, more than one “literally everyone.”
From helping with complex cases to creating pelvic education materials, our team proved once again that Empower’s strength lies in how we show up for each other.
Our Empower Family
At Empower, our greatest strength has always been our people — the hearts, hands, and minds that make our mission possible every single day. Each member of our team brings something unique, and together, they form the community that defines Empower.
This year, we’re celebrating every one of you:
Andrew, Austin, Becca, Bennett, Briana, Brianna, CJ, Destiny, Dylan, Dustin, Eleni, Haley, Hayley, Heather, Heidi, Jacob, Jeff, Josh, Joanne, Justin, Kaitlyn, Keanna, Kevin, Klaudia, Lauren, Latrell, Lindsey, Lorraine, Mallory, Madison, Mary, Megan, Morgan, Rachel, Rachael, Rebekah, Renae, Rob, Salem, Sarah, Shayla, Steven, Wes.
Thank you for your passion, your laughter, your teamwork, and your heart. Each of you helps make Empower what it is — a place where growth, gratitude, and genuine care come together every day to change lives. We are so proud of what we’ve accomplished together this year and can’t wait to see what we’ll achieve in 2026.
Empower by the Numbers – 2025
Here’s a look at how Empower made an impact this year:
- 45+ Empower Team Members
- 22 Team Members are Doctors of Physical Therapy
- 11 People Earned Promotions or Expanded Roles
- 11 New Team Members in their first Empower year
- 3 New Babies Welcomed to the Empower Family
- 3 Engagements & 3 Weddings
- 10 Teammates Who Moved or Relocated
- 100% of Team Members Got Outside This Summer
- 10+ Local Organizations & Schools Sponsored
- 5 DPT Program Visits Across the Lower 48
- 4th Year Running – Best of Anchorage & Best of the Valley
- 2nd Year in a Row – Best of Alaska Winner
- 5-Star Reviews added in 2025 by Clinic:
- Wasilla: 115 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Palmer: 71 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Anchorage: 63 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Looking Ahead to 2026
As we turn the page to a New Year, our hearts are full. We’re proud of what we’ve built, inspired by what we’ve learned, and motivated by the incredible people who make Empower thrive — our team, our patients, and our community.
Thank you for another amazing year of growth, gratitude, and empowerment. We can’t wait to see what 2026 holds — together.
Begin in Gratitude. Grow with Purpose. Give with Heart.
– The Empower Physical Therapy Team
We’re Here When You Need Us
If your body is already starting to complain—or you want to stay out of trouble before things ramp up more—we’re here for you. A quick session with a physical therapist can help identify what’s going on and give you the tools to keep moving strong through the rest of the season.
Whether it’s a quick tune-up or a longer plan, we’ve got your back (literally). And if you’ve had a great experience with us in the past, we’d be grateful if you passed our name along to a friend who might need a hand.
—Your team at Empower Physical Therapy
“Begin in Gratitude.”
Stay safe, stay strong, and we’ll see you out there.
Physical Therapy Triumphs
Real 5-Star Reviews
“If I ever need to return to PT, Empower is the only place I would go!”
“Very professional. I spent almost a year of physical therapy in another state and I must say Empower was so much better as far as assessment and reaching my end goals. Everyone from the front desk to the assistant PT to the physical therapist was wonderful, encouraging and ultimately held me responsible for doing my homework to achieve the markers I had set. They continued to give me more and more challenging exercises, but started out slowly, so I could attain a good baseline. If I ever need to return to PT, Empower is the only place I would go!”
Erika W.
Have a physical therapy success story you want to share?
We would love to hear from you. And you may just be the inspiration someone needs to seek help.
Exercise of the Month
Bird Dog
(Core, Lower Back, Glutes)
Start on your hands and knees on a mat or table. Brace your abdominals and keep your back flat. Slowly raise one arm straight out in front of you while simultaneously raising your opposite leg back behind you until both limbs are straight and parallel with the ground. Lower them back down and repeat with your other limbs. 3 Sets, 10 Reps.
Delicious Healthy Spinach Dip
- 2 x 10 oz packages chopped spinach, frozen
- 1/2 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 large garlic cloves, minced + 1 small garlic clove, grated
- 2 tbsp oil, for frying
- 1 medium carrot, finely grated
- 2 cups Greek or regular plain yogurt, at least 2% fat
- 1/4 cup mayo
- 1 tsp salt
- Ground black pepper, to taste
Defrost spinach in a colander overnight or microwave it. Squeeze out excess water and place in a medium bowl. In a non-stick skillet over medium heat, sauté onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, and carrot in a bit of oil for about 7 minutes. Add to the spinach along with yogurt, mayo, salt, and pepper. Mix well. Grate in more garlic to taste. Chill for a few hours if possible. Serve with pretzel chips or brown rice crackers.
Meet Our Team
Andrew Nuesca
PT Technician
Briana Leatham
PT, DPT
Lindsey Wright
PT, DPT
Jacob Pollard
PT, DPT, Founder
Justin Handy
PT, DPT, Partner
Wes Mennear
PT, DPT, Partner
Rachel Stokes
PT, DPT, CLT
Heather Bitgood
PT, DPT
Morgan Borkovec
PT, DPT
Renae Plummer
Lead New Patient Coordinator & Benefits Specialist
Hayley Lincoln
Anchorage Office Manager
Sarah Swanson
Lead Wasilla Front Office Coordinator
Joanne Schultz
New Patient Coordinator & Benefits Specialist
Haley Soares
Director of Administration
Let’s Get You Better ASAP!
Don’t let pain dictate your life. Take the first step towards reclaiming your mobility and well-being with our expert support. Start your journey to a healthier you today.
