2025 Speakers
Speakers
Brian Bettner, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist & Clinic Director at Spooner
Brian grew up in Ahwatukee where he spent his time playing soccer, golf and just being outside. He earned his Bachelors Degree in Exercise Science from NAU in 2017 where he spent his time exploring, hiking, and teaching group fitness classes such as boxing, spin, and TRX. After graduation he moved back to Phoenix where he attended NAUs DPT program at the Phoenix Biomedical Campus.
Molly Binetti, RSCC*D, CSCS
Director of Women’s Basketball Performance at University of South Carolina
Molly Binetti is the Director of Women’s Basketball Performance at the University of South Carolina. In her first six seasons, the program made a Sweet 16 appearance in 2019, finished the season unanimous #1 in 2020, and have secured four straight Final Four appearances from 2021-2024, including two National Championship victories.
Brook Choulet, MD
CEO of Choulet Performance Psychiatry
Dr. Brook Choulet, M.D., The Performance Psychiatrist™, is the founder and CEO of the Choulet Performance Psychiatry®, and President of the American Board of Sports and Performance Psychiatry, of which she is one of the seven founding members.
Veronika Campbell, PT, MPT, CNMP, CVTP, CSCS, NSC
Owner of Integrated Manual Physical Therapy
Veronika is the owner of Integrated Manual Physical Therapy (IMPT). She is a highly experienced manual physical therapist with over 25 years in practice. She founded the Arizona Integrative HealthCare Think Tank, a multidisciplinary practitioner group, in 2012. Over the years, she has earned multiple certifications, including as a strength and conditioning specialist, nutrition specialist, certified neural manipulation practitioner, and certified visceral techniques practitioner. In 2022, Veronika also became an international Barral Institute Instructor for Neural Manipulation.
Shelli Escamilla, MA, ATC
Lead Athletic Trainer at Mesa Public Schools
Shelli Escamilla is the lead Athletic Trainer at Mesa Public Schools. Shelli has a background that includes six years of dedicated service at the high school level, and 10 years as a certified athletic trainer.
Sue Falsone, PT, DPT, MS, SCS, ATC, CSCS*D, COMT
Founder of Structure & Function Education
Sue hold the holds the distinction of being the first female head athletic trainer in any of the four major sports in the United States (MLB, NFL, NHL, NBA) and served as Head of Athletic Training and Sport Performance with US Soccer’s Men’s National Team.
Melody Hrubes, MD, CAQ
Physician at Rothman Orthopedic Specialty Hospital
Dr. Hrubes currently serves as the Medical Director for the Radio City Rockettes, as a team physician for the United States Soccer Federation and has previously worked with United States Gymnastics. She has experience with broad-based musculoskeletal injuries with particular interest in injury prevention and biomechanical rehabilitation in athletes, performing artists, endurance sports, and female athletes.
Karen Kelly, Ph.D
Research Physiologist at Naval Health Research Center
Dr. Karen Kelly is a research physiologist with a background in exercise, metabolic, and integrative physiology with the Warfighter Performance Department at the Naval Health Research Center (NHRC). NHRC conducts research to optimize and sustain the health, performance, resilience, and readiness of U.S. service members.
Cloe Klaus, M.SC., LAT, ATC
Assistant Athletic Trainer at University of Notre Dame
Cloe Klaus is an accomplished Assistant Athletic Trainer at the University of Notre Dame, specializing in the health and performance of the Women’s Soccer team. Since joining UND in 2021, Cloe has implemented advanced athlete monitoring and recovery protocols, including thermography screening and force-plate fatigue monitoring, alongside baseline and return-to-play (RTP) testing. Her expertise includes isokinetic strength testing and wearable GPS tracking for monitoring performance, workload, and injury recovery.
Danielle LaFata, MA, RD, CSSD, CLT
Director of Performance Nutrition at Phoenix Suns
Danielle is a Registered Dietitian who earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Central Michigan University and also has a master’s degree in nutrition and food science from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. She is also a Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics a Certified LEAP Therapist (food sensitivities) and is working on a Certificate of Training in Integrative and Functional Nutrition.
Adam Loiacono, PT, DPT, SCS, CSCS
Owner and Performance Coach at Loiacono Performance Therapy
Adam Loiacono has over 15 years of experience providing top-tier rehabilitation and performance training to professional & youth athletes. His career includes reaching the NBA Finals with the Phoenix Suns in 2021 and the MLS Cup with the New England Revolution in 2014.
Matt Midkiff PT, DPT, CSCS, CAFS, FDN2, USSF “B”
Director & Owner Gilbert-Mesa at Foothills Sports Medicine and Physical Therapy
Matt Midkiff PT, DPT, CSCS, CAFS, FDN2, USSF “B” was a youth soccer player in Asheville, NC and high school 4 time all-state player in North Carolina and then Columbia, SC. He was recruited to play soccer collegiately at Westmont College in Santa Barbera, CA. He graduated from AT Still University in 2002, with his Doctorate in Physical Therapy. During graduate school, he had started coaching competitive club soccer at the Sereno Soccer Club while also running their sport performance and injury prevention program. He has continued coaching for the last 28 years where his coaching accomplishments include 16 state championships and participating in the development of a myriad of college, pro, and even national team players.
Chuck Peterson, MD
Physician at Arizona Sports Medicine Center, Abrazo Health
Dr. Peterson graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in honors history, and earned his medical degree at Northwestern University in Chicago. He completed his residency in family medicine at Mayo Clinic Scottsdale and a fellowship in sports medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin. He entered private practice in 2002, and was one of the original founders of Arizona Sports Medicine in 2004. He is board-certified in sports medicine and family medicine. Dr. Peterson is a team physician for the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Arizona Cardinals. He was also the Head Sports Medicine Team Physician for the Phoenix Suns for the 2019-2020 season, and was in “The Bubble” with the team in Orlando. He was named a “Top Doc” by PHOENIX Magazine in sports medicine for 2010, 2011 and every year since 2014.
Brian Schmitz, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT, CSCS
Police Officer & Physical Therapist
Brian C. Schmitz, PT, DPT, is a seasoned physical therapist with over 15 years of experience in orthopedic and manual therapy. Graduating with a Doctor of Physical Therapy from Northern Arizona University in 2009, Brian has since advanced his clinical expertise, becoming a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy in 2013 and a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists in 2015. His academic accomplishments also include a Fellowship in Orthopaedic Manual Therapy from Regis University and ongoing contributions as an adjunct faculty member at Northern Arizona University, where he has taught musculoskeletal therapeutics and professional development courses since 2013.
Valerie Smith-Hale, Ph.D., CSCS*D
Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at University of Notre Dame
Dr. Valerie Georgia Smith-Hale is an accomplished exercise physiologist and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with Distinction (CSCS*D). She holds a Ph.D. in Exercise and Sport Science with a concentration in Exercise Physiology from Wayne State University, along with a Master’s in Exercise Science from Central Michigan University.
Alix Ungaretti, PT, DPT, CSCS
Physical Therapist at Spooner
Alix Ungaretti is a physical therapist and certified strength and conditioning specialist at Spooner. Alix earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from Midwestern University and throughout her education has demonstrating a commitment to evidence-based care and high standards in patient outcomes. She is certified in Primal Reflex Release Technique, dry needling, and athletic training (BOC), and was Co-Founder of Back Attack Prevention Program for Veterans showcasing her versatile skill set in manual therapy and athletic care.
Gary Waslewski, MD
Director of Sports Medicine at Arizona Sports Medicine Center, Abrazo Health
Dr. Waslewski is a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon with a CAQ in Sports Medicine who is fellowship trained in surgical reconstruction of the throwing elbow and shoulder as well as complex sports knee reconstruction surgery. He is currently in his 13th year as Head Team Physician/Orthopedic Surgeon for the NFL Arizona Cardinals. Dr. Waslewski took over duties as the Head Team Physician for the MLB Arizona Diamondbacks in 2015 after 10 years serving as orthopedic consultant for the Chicago Cubs and the San Francisco Giants. He earned three World Series rings for his work with the San Francisco Giants. He served as Head Team Physician for the NBA Phoenix Suns 2019-2020 season. He was Head Team Physician for the NHL Arizona Coyotes hockey team for 16 years and was a traveling team physician for USA Hockey, covering the IIHF World Championships in Bern/Zurich Switzerland in 2009 and the 2007 TUI Deutschland Cup in Cologne/Hannover Germany.
Brian Bettner, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist & Clinic Director at Spooner
Education:
DPT – Northern Arizona University
BS in Exercise Science – Northern Arizona University
DN Cert through Structure and Function
About:
Brian grew up in Ahwatukee where he spent his time playing soccer, golf and just being outside. He earned his Bachelors Degree in Exercise Science from NAU in 2017 where he spent his time exploring, hiking, and teaching group fitness classes such as boxing, spin, and TRX. After graduation he moved back to Phoenix where he attended NAUs DPT program at the Phoenix Biomedical Campus. During his clinical rotations he gained a passion for treating outpatient orthopedics and using manual skills in combination with functional movement rehab. In his last rotation at the Spooner Ahwatukee location he learned a lot about what it means to be a part of the Spooner Family and fell in love with our overall beliefs of patient care. He is excited to treat all patient populations and create patient specific plans to get people back to doing what they love. As a member of the Spooner Sports Medicine Team, he enjoys treating all athletes as well as being a part of the RMHS Sports Medicine and Strength Staff.
Molly Binetti, RSCC*D, CSCS
Director of Women’s Basketball Performance at University of South Carolina
Education:
MS – University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
BS in Exercise Science – Marquette University
About:
Molly Binetti is the Director of Women’s Basketball Performance at the University of South Carolina. In her first six seasons, the program made a Sweet 16 appearance in 2019, finished the season unanimous #1 in 2020, and have secured four straight Final Four appearances from 2021-2024, including two National Championship victories. Prior to her arrival in Columbia in 2018, Molly served four years at the University of Louisville and one year at Purdue University coaching a diverse range of athletes from 11 different sports. She is a graduate of Marquette University, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Physiology, and the University of Minnesota where she obtained a Master of Education degree in Applied Kinesiology. The Eau Claire, WI native is a member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association and Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association, where she holds the CSCS and RSCC*D, and SCCC certifications, respectively. She has contributed to two publications, both in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, focused on the mechanical and physical determinants of elite women’s basketball players. Her passion lies in holistic player development.
Veronika Campbell, PT, MPT, CNMP, CVTP, CSCS, NSC
Owner of Integrated Manual Physical Therapy
Education:
MPT – Wayne State University
BS – Eastern Michigan University
About:
Veronika is the owner of Integrated Manual Physical Therapy (IMPT). She is a highly experienced manual physical therapist with over 25 years in practice. She founded the Arizona Integrative HealthCare Think Tank, a multidisciplinary practitioner group, in 2012. Over the years, she has earned multiple certifications, including as a strength and conditioning specialist, nutrition specialist, certified neural manipulation practitioner, and certified visceral techniques practitioner. In 2022, Veronika also became an international Barral Institute Instructor for Neural Manipulation.
Her advanced training spans a wide array of disciplines within the Barral osteopathic approach, focusing on visceral, vascular, neural, brain, neuroendocrine, vagus nerve, fascial crossroads, pediatrics, lymph, and manual articular manipulation. Veronika’s diverse patient care experience includes working with individuals suffering from complex chronic medical conditions, as well as helping professional athletes improve their performance. She has successfully treated athletes with intricate cases in collaboration with their trainers and has delivered presentations on neural manipulation for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Beyond her clinical work, Veronika has taught as adjunct faculty at both Midwestern University and Franklin Pierce University. She is also an active lecturer, sharing her expertise at professional conferences and community events.
Brook Choulet, MD
CEO of Choulet Performance Psychiatry
Education:
MD – University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Medicine
About:
Dr. Brook Choulet, M.D., The Performance Psychiatrist™, is the founder and CEO of the Choulet Performance Psychiatry®, and President of the American Board of Sports and Performance Psychiatry, of which she is one of the seven founding members.
With a focus on concierge Performance Psychiatry®, Dr. Choulet guides professionals, athletes, and their families towards unparalleled mental health and performance optimization by offering bespoke mental health care services for both adolescent and adult patients.
She holds a Certificate of Additional Training in Sports Psychiatry from the International Society for Sports Psychiatry (ISSP) and is a preferred provider on the NBPA, NFLPA and MLBPA’s Mental Health Directories. Dr. Choulet’s expertise has been pivotal in shaping mental resilience in sports at its highest level, and she worked for two seasons as a Consulting Team Psychiatrist for the NBA Phoenix Suns and WNBA Phoenix Mercury.
Dr. Choulet is a regular contributor to Forbes SportsMoney and is a Forbes Health Advisory Board member who reviews and consults on Forbes Health articles. She also contributes her expertise to the American Psychiatric Association’s publications and Psychology Today’s Sports & Performance Psychiatry column. She also provides expert advice each month to local Arizona publications, including Paradise Valley City Lifestyle Magazine, Stroll Biltmore, Stroll Desert Mountain, and Stroll Paradise Valley, as part of her commitment to cultivating the mental health and well-being of her local community.
Shelli Escamilla, MA, ATC
Lead Athletic Trainer at Mesa Public Schools
Education:
MS – New Mexico State University
BS in Athletic Training – Northern Arizona University
About:
Shelli Escamilla is the lead Athletic Trainer at Mesa Public Schools. Shelli has a background that includes six years of dedicated service at the high school level, and 10 years as a certified athletic trainer.
Before her current position, Shelli served as the Head Athletic Trainer at Red Mountain High School. Her academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training from Northern Arizona University (NAU), followed by a Master’s degree from New Mexico State University (NMSU). During her time at NMSU, Shelli gained valuable experience working with Women’s Soccer and Women’s Swim and Dive teams.
In addition to her role at Mesa Public Schools, Shelli is an At-Large Board Member for the Arizona Athletic Trainers’ Association (AZATA), where she contributes to the advancement of the profession and supports fellow athletic trainers across the state.
She believes in the valuable relationship between PTs and ATs, and is dedicated to expanding the relationship between the two professions.
Sue Falsone, PT, DPT, MS, SCS, ATC, CSCS*D, COMT
Founder of Structure & Function Education
Education:
MS – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
BS – Daemen College
About:
Born in Buffalo, NY, Sue received a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from Daemen College in Amherst, New York. She continued her education by earning a master’s degree in human movement science, with a concentration in sports medicine, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Sue has presented at state, national and international level conferences in areas focusing on dry needling, pillar strength, integration of physical therapy and performance training, and comprehensive kinetic chain assessment and rehabilitation. She’s a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Sports Physical Therapy (SCS), a certified athletic trainer (ATC), certified orthopedic manual therapist for the spine (COMT), a certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association and a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT- 200) through Yoga Alliance.
Sue worked at Athletes’ Performance for 13 years, last serving as the Vice President of Performance Physical Therapy and Team Sport. She worked with the Los Angeles Dodgers for 6 years, last serving as head athletic trainer and physical therapist. She holds the distinction of being the first female head athletic trainer in any of the four major sports in the United States (MLB, NFL, NHL, NBA) and served as Head of Athletic Training and Sport Performance with US Soccer’s Men’s National Team. She was also named a Distinguished Alumni at Daemen College and has been inducted into her high school’s Athletic Hall of Fame (Kenmore West).
She is the owner and founder of Structure & Function Education, a company dedicated to educating healthcare professionals in dry needling, as well as, how to clinically Bridge the Gap from Rehab to Performance and has authored a book by the same name. Her philosophy includes looking at the athlete as a whole person, working with the entire body to create an optimal environment for healing and performance training.
Sue currently offers consulting for a variety of organizations in the NBA, MLB and NFL, and continues to work one-on-one with athletes. Customized courses and business advisory are available including sports medicine department organization, physical therapy and movement evaluation and restoration.
Melody Hrubes, MD, CAQ
Physician at Rothman Orthopedic Specialty Hospital
Education:
DPT – University of Illinois College of Medicine
BS – University of Illinois College of Medicine
About:
Dr. Hrubes is board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation as well as Sports Medicine and is the Director of our Primary Care Sports Division for the New York region. She currently serves as the Medical Director for the Radio City Rockettes, as a team physician for the United States Soccer Federation and has previously worked with United States Gymnastics. She has experience with broad-based musculoskeletal injuries with particular interest in injury prevention and biomechanical rehabilitation in athletes, performing artists, endurance sports, and female athletes. She specializes in ultrasound-guided procedures, regenerative medicine, and electrodiagnostic medicine.
Dr. Hrubes has worked with multiple dance and theater companies and is on the board of the Performing Arts Medicine Association. She is also an active member and serves on committees of the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, American College of Sports Medicine, International Association for Dance Medicine, and American Association of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Dr. Hrubes prefers to take a holistic approach to injury treatment and performance optimization. She incorporates the patient’s function and priorities when creating a multi-faceted treatment plan.
Karen Kelly, Ph.D
Research Physiologist at Naval Health Research Center
Education:
Ph.D Philosophy, Kinesiology & Exercise Science – University of Southern California
MS in Exercise Physiology – San Diego State University
About:
Dr. Karen Kelly is a research physiologist with a background in exercise, metabolic, and integrative physiology with the Warfighter Performance Department at the Naval Health Research Center (NHRC). NHRC conducts research to optimize and sustain the health, performance, resilience, and readiness of U.S. service members.
Dr. Kelly has been with NHRC since 2010 as the head of the Applied Translational Exercise and Metabolic Physiology Team within the Warfighter Performance Department. Her research focuses on undersea human performance; metabolic and physiological adaptations in extreme environments; stress physiology; physical standards and requirements for ground combat military occupational specialties; musculoskeletal injury risk and prevention; and has recently engage in a large-scale collaboration related to fatigue risk management in USMC Aviation community.
Dr. Kelly and her staff of physiologists, engineers, statisticians, and cognitive psychologists specialize in field research. By adapting traditional laboratory practices to a field setting, she is able to provide operationally relevant feedback and information to leadership and add to the scientific body of knowledge. Before coming to NHRC, Dr. Kelly studied obesity related diseases and was involved in numerous clinical trials at the Cleveland Clinic.
Dr. Kelly received her bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of California San Diego, her master’s degree in exercise physiology from San Diego State University, and her doctoral degree in kinesiology from the University of Southern California. She had a dual appointment in pathobiology and nutrition during her three year post-doctoral fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic.
Cloe Klaus, M.SC., LAT, ATC
Assistant Athletic Trainer at University of Notre Dame
Education:
M.Sc. Kinesiology – Western University
BS in Athletic Training & BS in Psychology – Lees-McRae College
About:
Cloe Klaus is an accomplished Assistant Athletic Trainer at the University of Notre Dame, specializing in the health and performance of the Women’s Soccer team. Since joining UND in 2021, Cloe has implemented advanced athlete monitoring and recovery protocols, including thermography screening and force-plate fatigue monitoring, alongside baseline and return-to-play (RTP) testing. Her expertise includes isokinetic strength testing and wearable GPS tracking for monitoring performance, workload, and injury recovery.
Cloe’s collaborative approach involves daily communication with strength and conditioning coaches, providing data-driven insights to optimize athlete performance and manage training loads. She has also served as a Healthcare Coordinator for complex medical cases, emphasizing holistic, inclusive care for student-athletes.
Previously, Cloe was an adjunct professor at Bellarmine University, where she taught the “Foundations of Athletic Training: Emergent Care” course in the Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) program, integrating lecture and hands-on lab instruction. Additionally, she leads annual and monthly reviews of emergency action plans (EAPs) and coordinates medical time-outs for home events, ensuring comprehensive readiness for UND’s sports teams. Cloe’s dedication to high standards in athletic training and her proactive healthcare approach have made her a vital asset to the Notre Dame athletics community.
Danielle LaFata, MA, RD, CSSD, CLT
Director of Performance Nutrition at Phoenix Suns
Education:
MS in Nutrition &Food Science – Wayne State University
BS in Dietetics – Wayne State University
About:
Danielle is a Registered Dietitian who earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Central Michigan University and also has a master’s degree in nutrition and food science from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. She is also a Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics a Certified LEAP Therapist (food sensitivities) and is working on a Certificate of Training in Integrative and Functional Nutrition.
She is currently the Director of Performance Nutrition for the Phoenix Suns & Mercury Basketball teams and a virtual dietitian working with various club and high school teams through My Sport Dietitian. In her sports dietetics career she spent 8 years at EXOS (formerly Athletes’ Performance, Inc.), 6 seasons with the San Francisco Giants being on board with them during their 2012 and 2014 World Series wins! Three years with the US Men’s National Soccer Team traveling with them to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, a season with the Arizona Cardinals and the Arizona Coyotes as well as well as working with various military groups, youth athletes and high performers before going on her own. Through her interest and use of micronutrient testing she was a clinical consultant for Spectracell Laboratories for 2 years helping various practitioners interpret the micronutrient test.
When she’s not traveling with the basketball teams she likes to play pickleball, tennis, golf, mountain and take to the Arizona hiking trails.
Adam Loiacono, PT, DPT, SCS, CSCS
Owner and Performance Coach at Loiacono Performance Therapy
Education:
DPT – Springfield College
BS in Kinesiology and Exercise Science – University of Maine
About:
Adam Loiacono has over 15 years of experience providing top-tier rehabilitation and performance training to professional & youth athletes. His career includes reaching the NBA Finals with the Phoenix Suns in 2021 and the MLS Cup with the New England Revolution in 2014. Adam is a distinguished member of an elite group of physical therapists, holding the prestigious board certification as a Sports Clinical Specialist (SCS) through the American Physical Therapy Association—a credential achieved by only 10% of physical therapists in the United States. He is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach through the National Strength & Conditioning Association.
Adam’s expertise has been recognized by notable media outlets such as Forbes.com, Arizona’s CW7 television network, and the world-renowned PhysioNetwork.com, among others.
Chuck Peterson, MD
Physician at Arizona Sports Medicine Center, Abrazo Health
Education:
MD – Northwestern University Medical School
BA – Brigham Young University
Affiliations:
American Academy of Family Physicians
Arizona Academy of Family Physicians
American College of Sports Medicine
American Medical Society for Sports Medicine
NBA Team Physicians Association
Wilderness Medical Society
About:
Dr. Peterson graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in honors history, and earned his medical degree at Northwestern University in Chicago. He completed his residency in family medicine at Mayo Clinic Scottsdale and a fellowship in sports medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin. He entered private practice in 2002, and was one of the original founders of Arizona Sports Medicine in 2004. He is board-certified in sports medicine and family medicine. Dr. Peterson is a team physician for the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Arizona Cardinals. He was also the Head Sports Medicine Team Physician for the Phoenix Suns for the 2019-2020 season, and was in “The Bubble” with the team in Orlando. He was named a “Top Doc” by PHOENIX Magazine in sports medicine for 2010, 2011 and every year since 2014.
Brian Schmitz, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT, CSCS
Police Officer & Physical Therapist
Education:
DPT – Northern Arizona University
BS in Exercise Science – Northern Arizona University
About:
Brian Schmitz, PT, DPT, is a seasoned physical therapist with over 15 years of experience in orthopedic and manual therapy. Graduating with a Doctor of Physical Therapy from Northern Arizona University in 2009, Brian has since advanced his clinical expertise, becoming a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy in 2013 and a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists in 2015. His academic accomplishments also include a Fellowship in Orthopaedic Manual Therapy from Regis University and ongoing contributions as an adjunct faculty member at Northern Arizona University, where he has taught musculoskeletal therapeutics and professional development courses since 2013.
Brian’s professional journey has been marked by his commitment to blending hands-on care with leadership roles. He served as a managing partner at Summit Health and Fitness in Flagstaff for over a decade, guiding the facility through successful operations and expansions. His clinical work spans a diverse array of settings, from outpatient orthopedic care at DeRosa Physical Therapy to acute inpatient rehabilitation at Banner Baywood Hospital. With his deep-rooted interest in functional rehabilitation, Brian’s experiences range from treating complex orthopedic cases to providing rehabilitative care to professional athletes and active individuals.
In addition to his clinical expertise, Brian has held several leadership roles, including serving as President of the Arizona Physical Therapy Association. He coaches through Forging Youth Resilience, teaching weightlifting to youths at the Coconino County Juvenile Detention Center. Currently, Brian works as a police officer at Northern Arizona University and continues to offer part-time physical therapy services.
Valerie Smith-Hale, Ph.D., CSCS*D
Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at University of Notre Dame
Education:
Ph.D. Exercise and Sport Science – Wayne State University
Masters of Science in Exercise Science – Central Michigan University
BA in Exercise Science – Adrian College
About:
Dr. Valerie Georgia Smith-Hale is an accomplished exercise physiologist and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with Distinction (CSCS*D). She holds a Ph.D. in Exercise and Sport Science with a concentration in Exercise Physiology from Wayne State University, along with a Master’s in Exercise Science from Central Michigan University.
Currently serving as an Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at the University of Notre Dame, Dr. Smith-Hale applies her extensive expertise to enhance athletic performance through individualized training and conditioning programs. Her academic background is complemented by her teaching experience in Exercise Physiology, where she has led both lecture and lab courses, as well as courses in Fitness Assessment and Exercise Prescription, equipping students with critical skills in physiological evaluation and personalized exercise programming.
Dr. Smith-Hale’s dedication to research-informed practice and education has positioned her as a respected figure in exercise science, fostering the development of both athletes and future professionals in the field.
Alix Ungaretti, PT, DPT, CSCS
Physical Therapist at Spooner
Education:
DPT – Midwestern University
BS in Athletic Training – University of Montana
About:
Alix Ungaretti is a physical therapist and certified strength and conditioning specialist at Spooner. Alix earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from Midwestern University and throughout her education has demonstrating a commitment to evidence-based care and high standards in patient outcomes. She is certified in Primal Reflex Release Technique, dry needling, and athletic training (BOC), and was Co-Founder of Back Attack Prevention Program for Veterans showcasing her versatile skill set in manual therapy and athletic care.
In her career, Alix has served as a Head Athletic Trainer and Director of Athletic Training at OrthoArizona. While there, she supervised and educated physical therapy students on sports medicine practice, including developing exercise programs, return-to-sport/activity programs, and manual therapy skills. As a physical therapist at Spooner, she focuses on holistic care for her patients and uses volunteer opportunities to help her community. Through a partnership with PHHacility Basketball, a program dedicated to developing skills and placing student athletes with colleges across the country, Alix provides injury evaluation and treatment, along with sports injury screening, directly supporting basketball players in their athletic pursuits.
With extensive experience working with collegiate athletes across women’s volleyball, men’s basketball, men’s and women’s tennis, and football, Alix is well-versed in the demands of high-performance sports. Her work with student-athletes emphasizes injury prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation, while fostering close collaboration with orthopedic surgeons, physician assistants, coaches, and other athletic trainers.
Gary Waslewski, MD
Director of Sports Medicine at Arizona Sports Medicine Center, Abrazo Health
Education:
MD – Medical College of Virginia
BA – Princeton University
Affiliations:
Head Team Physician Arizona Cardinals
Head Team Physician Arizona Diamondbacks
Phoenix Children’s Hospital Sports Medicine Fellowship
About:
Dr. Waslewski is a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon with a CAQ in Sports Medicine who is fellowship trained in surgical reconstruction of the throwing elbow and shoulder as well as complex sports knee reconstruction surgery. He is currently in his 13th year as Head Team Physician/Orthopedic Surgeon for the NFL Arizona Cardinals. Dr. Waslewski took over duties as the Head Team Physician for the MLB Arizona Diamondbacks in 2015 after 10 years serving as orthopedic consultant for the Chicago Cubs and the San Francisco Giants. He earned three World Series rings for his work with the San Francisco Giants. He served as Head Team Physician for the NBA Phoenix Suns 2019-2020 season. He was Head Team Physician for the NHL Arizona Coyotes hockey team for 16 years and was a traveling team physician for USA Hockey, covering the IIHF World Championships in Bern/Zurich Switzerland in 2009 and the 2007 TUI Deutschland Cup in Cologne/Hannover Germany.
Dr. Waslewski has spent the majority of his 22 years in practice working primarily in sports medicine and surgery, initially working with the Franklin Templeton Tennis Tournament (ATP and WTA), Milwaukee Brewers, Central Arizona College Athletics and as Co-Medical Director of the Scottsdale Unified School District.
Director & Owner Gilbert-Mesa at Foothills Sports Medicine and Physical Therapy
Education:
DPT – A.T. Still University
About:
Matt Midkiff PT, DPT, CSCS, CAFS, FDN2, USSF “B” was a youth soccer player in Asheville, NC and high school 4 time all-state player in North Carolina and then Columbia, SC. He was recruited to play soccer collegiately at Westmont College in Santa Barbera, CA. He graduated from AT Still University in 2002, with his Doctorate in Physical Therapy. During graduate school, he had started coaching competitive club soccer at the Sereno Soccer Club while also running their sport performance and injury prevention program. He has continued coaching for the last 28 years where his coaching accomplishments include 16 state championships and participating in the development of a myriad of college, pro, and even national team players.
He is coaching director at the Arizona Arsenal Soccer Club and the Director of their Sports Medicine program and director at the Gilbert-Mesa location of Foothills Sports Medicine and has merged his love of soccer and physical therapy by specializing in treating soccer injuries, particularly post-operative ACL rehabs, as well as return to sport criteria. He is the former PT for the Phoenix Rising FC professional team in 2018-2019. He is currently now a soccer dad as well having three daughters playing soccer at the ECNL level. He is the dad of twin girls who have both survived cardiac arrest at the soccer fields and a member of the Arizona Heart Associate National Lobby Committee.