About Us
Established in 1981, Fortanasce & Associates Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine Center has been "Committed to Excellence in Patient Care." Physical therapist owned and operated, Fortanasce & Associates has always been a leader in physical and occupational therapy intervention, professional education as well as professional and political activism.
Many of our therapists have advanced professional degrees and specialty certifications including Doctors of Physical Therapy, Board Certified Orthopedic Specialists, PhD in Exercise Science and Certified Hand Therapist. Our staff is bolstered by Certified Athletic Trainers (ATC's) and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists (CSCS). Our expert clinicians have taught at leading physical therapy programs throughout Southern California as well as a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) program.
Research and the promotion of physical-occupational therapy, rehabilitation and sports performance has always been a passion at Fortanasce & Associates with numerous articles having been published in peer reviewed journals, industry publications as well as poster and platform presentations at professional conferences. From Major League Baseball players, to US Olympic team members and our most recent work with the Chinese Olympic Committee/Athletes and the National Training Bureau of China, Fortanasce & Associates has long been a leader in the rehabilitation and training of elite athletes.
Fortanasce & Associates has paired with leading physicians in creating and providing continuing education opportunities for physical therapists, as well as serving as a host site for numerous yearlong and weekend seminars. Fortanasce & Associates has long partnered with many of the highest ranked physical therapy programs in the country providing expert training to tomorrow’s physical and occupational therapists via clinical internships ranging from 2 weeks to 4 months. In 2000 Fortanasce & Associates became the first private practice to establish an APTA accredited Orthopaedic Residency program for the advanced training of physical therapist residents.
Fortanasce & Associates prides itself on our 11,000sq-ft facility including an in-ground pool, fully equipped gymnasium and Pilates center allowing us to accommodate every need of our patients and clients. With over 100 physicians and their family members having come to us for their own care, Fortanasce & Associates "Committed to Excellence in Patient Care." continues to be an industry leader. The results of a recent satisfaction survey performed by a private company bolster this claim (0 = Terrible, 10 = Excellent):
- Staff Courtesy: 9.7
- Staff Professionalism: 9.8
- Recommend Fortanasce & Associates: 9.6
- Treatment is Beneficial: 9.3
At Fortanasce & Associates Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine Center, "We Care!"
President: Michael G. Fortanasce, PT, DPT received his Master of Science in Physical Therapy from Boston University in 1977 and received his Advanced Standing Clinical Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) from the University of Southern California in 1996. Dr. Fortanasce founded Fortanasce & Associates in 1981, starting with three small rooms and has led the Arcadia facility into the 11,000-plus square-foot free-standing facility that it is today and has overseen the expansion into the La Verne LA Fitness facility. Dr. Fortanasce is a regular speaker at the accredited Southern California physical therapy schools as well as many other programs throughout the nation with topics ranging from ethics in clinical practice to the steps necessary to insure the growth and survival of our profession. He has presented numerous papers at state and national professional meetings and continues to be a crusader for each and every patient and the profession of physical therapy.
Clinical Director: Kenneth W. Mengel, MPT, OCS received his Master of Physical Therapy from the University of Southern California in 1994 and has been with Fortanasce & Associates since 1989. He earned board certification as an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist in 2001. Ken has published research in the Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy relating to knee pain and specific treatment intervention and has served as a part-time faculty member at Western University of Health Sciences, Department of Physical Therapy, where he taught Kinesiology, Musculoskeletal Evaluation and Treatment as well as Joint Kinesiology in the Osteopathic Medicine program.
Clinical Director: David A. Gutkind, PT, OCS received his Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from California State University at Northridge in 1989 and became board certified as an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist in 1997. David earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy from Western University in 2006. He has developed and participated in a variety of programs used in both clinical and industrial settings, which focus on prevention of and early intervention for workplace injuries. He has presented numerous employee-training classes at the corporate level and has taught the concepts of industrial physical therapy to students at local universities. David worked with Fortanasce & Associates for 8 years prior to his return in 2004.
Director of Hand Therapy/Occupational Therapy Services: Audrey Chen-Ma, M.A., OTR/L, CHT., CLT was born in New York, but grew up in Taiwan. She returned to the United States in 1989. She received her Bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Southern California. After practicing in an acute-care hospital setting, she returned to USC where she earned her Master's degree in Occupational Therapy and Science. She started her specialty training in hand therapy during her Master's program and has been working in the field of hand therapy, since 1995. She is a certified hand therapist since year 2000. To expand her domain of specialty practice, she completed her specialty training in lymphedema management and was certified as a lymphedema therapist in 2005. Audrey is an active member of American Society of Hand Therapists and American Occupational Therapy Association.
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