Providers

I graduated with my Masters in Occupational Therapy from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, located in St. Augustine, Florida in the Fall of 2008. I am originally from Colorado but took my first job in Idaho Falls, ID then and moved to Alaska in 2010 for a pediatric OT position. I have worked solely in pediatrics since graduation with some adult and neuro experience. I started Backcountry Therapeutics, LLC in Feb 2012 going home to home and seeing kids out of a small shared clinic, and have since grown to offer OT and PT in our currently facility. I met my husband, Bill when in Alaska and we were married in 2016 with two kids to follow, Emma and Jace. I love the outdoors and all it has to offer. My true passion is working with kids and their families and being able to be a part of such an awesome experience.

Sonja Lewis Brown is a native of Alabama and a graduate of the University of Alabama in Birmingham, AL. She recently relocated to Alaska to join the Backcountry Therapeutics family and provide numerous services to the area. Sonja has forty-three years of experience in Occupational Therapy. She has worked in all OT settings. Her passion has been primarily pediatrics and hands. She has thirty years of experience with the neonatal/pediatric population. This includes the Neonatal Intensive Care and Pediatric Units & NICU Follow-Up Clinics at DCH Regional Medical Center and Northport Hospital-DCH in Tuscaloosa and Northport, AL under neonatologists, Drs. Hanseek Choi and Guierrmo Godoy. She was Director of Occupational Therapy at Baptist Health (South and East Campus) and the primary OT for the NICU and Pediatric Units under five neonatologists (Drs. Lynn Whittington, Lawrence Wallin, John Woodall, Cynthia Bonner. She spent seventeen years in hand therapy (neuro and orthopedics). She has excellent splinting skills (static and dynamic) for all ages (neonate to geriatrics); and serial casting for brachial plexus injuries. Sonja contracted with the Alabama Dept of Rehab Svc (ADRS) and Children’s Rehab Svc (CRS) to head four (4) Feeding Clinics (2-Montgomery, Opelika, and Selma, Alabama); served as the OT Rep/Team Member for the Augmentative Communications Clinic (ACC) for ten years before opening a private practice. Sonja was owner and director of Adult & Child Therapy Services (ACTS) from 2002- 2017. She is trained to administer The Sensory Integration Praxis Test (SIPT). Sonja continued to serve as OT with Southern Orthopedic Surgeons (SOS) for the past seven years. Her experience with SOS allowed her to develop interventions for severe nerve injuries of the elbow/wrist/hand, amputations and to fabricate dynamic splints to promote maximum sensory motor function and independent use of the hand. Sonja also had the distinct pleasure of working with Dr. Jean Ronel Corbier, Pediatric and Adult Neurologist. Dr. Corbier is a known author depicting how the brain functions in Autism. During Sonja’s private practice, Dr. Corbier referred many children with autism (or on the Spectrum) for sensory integration therapy. He and his twin brother currently share a clinic in North Carolina, Brain Restoration Clinic.

SANDRA LEWIS OTR

RACHEL WHITE OTR

I graduated from the University of Iowa with an MPT degree in 1993. Iowa is my home state and I moved to my new home of Alaska in 1993 before I graduated. I moved here with my son and daughter who were in junior high and high school. My first full time employment was in the Infant Learning Program in Anchorage where I gained valuable experience working with kids and families. I’ve worked in a variety of settings but always return to pediatrics as the connection with kids and families makes the most sense to me. I enjoy a challenge so soon after moving to Alaska I started helping a friend run her sled dogs and this led me to a new passion. I wanted to do more with dogs and ultimately decided to enter the 2003 Iditarod after 10 years of recreational mushing. I finished the first Iditarod trail Race that started in Fairbanks and ended in Nome. I helped other teams train for the race for the next several years. I also spent 7 years learning how to raise and train service dogs that enhance the lives of people in need. One other goal I had for myself was to have an off grid property, so I bought 20 acres in Willow in 2007 and have developed the property and built a house I am finishing. In 2018 I briefly tried retirement from physical therapy but when I was referred to Backcountry Therapeutics LLC for a part time position I found it too good to be true. So I do work part time so I have time to go on adventures.

Dillon Trumbo is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, COTA/L. He grew up in Silver City, NM. He enjoys camping, backpacking, and exploring the southwest. He enjoys drawing, painting, hiking, reading, and studying history and learning about architecture and cultures.

Her bio! Howdy Ya’ll! My name is Felicia and I just moved to Alaska from San Antonio, Texas. I have been a COTA for over 20 years and love my job! Working with children and their families is the Best! (or is it “Bestest!”)

Being able to be a part of a child’s life and trying to help in some way means everything to me. Thank you parents for allowing me this opportunity!

Although I miss my friends and family in Texas, I am excited to be working with this awesome team at Backcountry Therapeutics! I am looking forward to making new friends and exploring this Great State. (I hope to get to know you too!) Let the Adventure Begin!

Nicole Trumbo is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, COTA/L, at Backcountry Therapeutics. She grew up in Tucson, AZ until she got married and moved to Silver City, NM in 2011. She studied and obtained her degree at Western New Mexico University with ambitions to work with children. She studied martial arts starting at 8 years old and obtained her 2nd degree black belt in Danzan Ryu Jujitsu as an adult. She enjoys movies, music, anime, video games, and taking care of her animal companions.

My name is Emmy Wolber and I am originally from Kansas City Missouri. After working as a preschool teacher for 6 years, I decided to go to school for occupation therapy and graduate in 2013. Before coming to Backcountry, I was a travel therapist for 5 years and worked in both schools and clinics in Missouri, Alaska, Oregon, and California. In my free time I enjoy reading, puzzles, hiking, traveling, and spending time with my family and friends.

Stephen Reinheimer grew up in a small town located in South-Central Pennsylvania, just north of Gettysburg. He has spent the last 22 years working with the public in various facets, including, customer service, sales, and education. In 2010, he earned a Bachelor of Fine Art from North Florida University focused on photography with a Minor in Communications. Over the years, it has been his passion to help children as he has spent countless hours volunteering with several pediatric-based organizations. In 2019, he earned an Associates of Science in Occupational Therapy from Florida State College at Jacksonville allowing him to concentrate on his goal of helping kids with special needs. Connecting his art background, Stephen attempts to find unique and engaging ways to approach therapy as well as draw from the holistic approach Occupational Therapy provides. Backcountry Therapeutics allows Stephen the channels to incorporate these ideals with his love of nature, to encourage self-sufficiency in children. In addition to his work, he enjoys exploring and finding outdoor adventures, especially with his wife, Molly, and their four-legged children.

Robin was raised in the golden heart city of Fairbanks, AK. It was here that she met her husband whom stole her away for an Air Force adventure for 10 years. She has lived in 4 different states and visited many more. She spent several years raising her two children and working in the food industry while supporting her husbands career. When he separated from the military and the kids went to school she decided she was ready to embark on a journey toward a rewarding career helping others in a more meaningful way. She graduated in 2021 as a PTA from UAA and promptly began here at Backcountry Therapeutics. Robin is excited to share her new knowledge and skills with the world and continue learning through both traditional means and her interactions with others. In her free time Robin enjoys spending time outside with her family, hiking, snowboarding, playing sports, traveling, reading and occasionally crafting when time permits.

I graduated from Keiser University in Jacksonville FL in 2014 following a period in the military where I served as a police officer. After my service I continued to want to help people and decided that therapy would be a good way to do that. I have two kids Abigail and Owen and have found that working with children is a rewarding experience and a wonderful way to continue to help those in need. I am new to Alaska and moved up from Florida in the spring of 2019. I enjoy being outdoors (when its not below 0) as well as spending time with my family and our two dogs Kona and Opi.

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Our staff are among the best in the world. Come meet us!

My name is Anna Czapla and I grew up in Colorado. We moved to Alaska when I was a Junior in Highschool. Before working for Backcountry Therapeutics, I worked at Wells Fargo for 7 years where I was a Business Banking Specialist. I met my husband Phil and we were married in 2015. We live in Wasilla and have two young daughters, Kalliope and Evelyn. We love camping in our RV named Stella, fishing, kayaking, sledding, and lots and lots of s’mores.

LELA FLEETWOOD

My name is Nickie Sandefur. My husband Roger and I moved to Alaska from Colorado in August, 2009 so that Roger could take the position of Service Manager at a commercial heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration company in Anchorage. We have been married for 40 years, have four married children, and 10 grandchildren. All of them live in Alaska as well. We are truly blessed! In Colorado I worked at a variety of jobs. We owned a grocery store, I worked at a middle school, but my greatest joy was being a stay-at-home Mom while my children were growing up. After moving to Alaska, I worked as a Substitute Cashier for the Matsu Borough School District for one year. In 2010 Alisa Elliott-Rector hired me as the Office Manager for Mountain Magic Therapy for Kids. I met Andrea, Bill and Emma in the summer of 2017 while Alisa was preparing for a move to Hawaii. I have had the privilege of being the Office Manager and Biller for Backcountry Therapeutics, LLC since September, 2017.