Jeff Porter
Specialties: Pediatric athletics, Orthopedics
Empower History: NEW Provider as of February 2025
Background and Inspiration:
Raised with a father in the Navy so I’ve lived all over the Lower 48. Most of my home roots reside in Tennessee. I went to undergrad in Alabama at Faulker University where I played college soccer. I got lucky enough to play semi-pro soccer in the PDL for the Nashville Metros.
Read full blogRachel Koehler
Empower History: 1 Year
Hometown: Hayden, Colorado
What inspired you to be a PT? I’ve always been drawn to the field. I love helping people, laughing with people and I love the challenge of designing unique care plans for my different patients and their unique goals.
Where did you go to PT school? The University of Montana
What is your background and experience in this industry?
Read full blogMary Hui
Mary Hui is excited to return to her hometown of Wasilla to join the Empower Team. She ventured into the lower 48 for college, attending the University of Minnesota where she played rugby and earned her bachelor’s degree in Parks & Recreation. This allowed her to work seasonally across the country in various roles. Her many summers spent as a hiking guide in Denali National Park opened her eyes to the challenges faced by those unable to fully participate in recreational activities due to physical limitations.
Read full blogRebecca Fisher
Specialties: Certified Lymphedema Therapist, Pelvic Floor level 1
Empower History: May 2024
Hometown: Laramie, WY
What inspired you to be a PT? I love that PT empowers patients to heal themselves
Where did you go to PT school? University of Montana
What is your background and experience in this industry? 7 years of experience working in outpatient rehabilitation.
Read full blogLindsey Wright
Lindsey joined the Empower Physical Therapy team in 2023. She was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska. Growing up in Alaska she developed a passion and appreciation for the outdoors. Enjoying hiking, fishing and exploring all the state has to offer in the summer, and playing competitive hockey in the winter.
She completed her undergraduate studies in Exercise Physiology from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota while playing for the women’s hockey team and served as team captain for two seasons.
Read full blogRachel Stokes
Dr. Rachel Stokes joined the Empower team in December 2022. She moved to Anchorage from Pittsburgh, PA as a military spouse and immediately fell in love with Alaska.
Rachel earned a business degree from Geneva College in Beaver, PA, but after finding the corporate world unsatisfying, ultimately returned to Chatham University in Pittsburgh, PA for her Doctorate in Physical Therapy where she could pursue her true passion – Pelvic Health PT. She also has an Associate in Psychology degree from the Community College of Allegheny County which she applies to better navigate the tough and sensitive conversations that can come along with this field, to include providing Trauma-Informed Care.
Read full blogBriana Leatham
Briana joined the Empower Physical Therapy team in 2022. She and her husband moved to Alaska in 2019 after she graduated PT school in 2018 and now have one daughter that is almost 1 year old. She grew up in California and had lived there her entire life until moving to Alaska. They both decided to move to Alaska because of how beautiful it seemed and the opportunity for an adventure together.
Read full blogHeather Bitgood
Heather joined the Empower Physical Therapy team in 2022. She grew up in Western New York where she spent a good portion of her childhood enjoying the outdoors, playing sports, excelling in volleyball and softball. Following High School, she attended the University of Buffalo for both her undergraduate degree in Exercise Science as well as her Doctorate in Physical Therapy. During that time, she worked as a strength and conditioning coach, training athletes in a variety of sports of all ages, ranging from youth programs to collegiate and semi-professional athletes.
Read full blogMorgan Borkovec
Empower History: I began with Empower in April of 2021, it was my first job out of school and I have always felt lucky to have started my career here! I quickly began training to specialize in Pelvic and Women’s Health and have enjoyed growing my knowledge and skills to reach out further into what is a very underserved population.
Hometown: Berwyn, IL
Background and Inspiration:
What inspired you to be a PT?
Wes Mennear
Wes Mennear is excited to share his knowledge and long-standing passion for physical wellness and activity. Wes was born in Idaho where he was competitive in every sport possible. He enjoyed being a student of sport which earned him team captain for his varsity basketball, baseball, and football teams in high school while winning a state championship in football.
He grew up on hard work, spending his summers working on his Grandfather’s ranch, and after graduating high school spent 24 months serving the people of El Salvador full-time with his church.
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