Bios/Photos

President: Michael G. Fortanasce, PT, DPT

Michael G. Fortanasce 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 beginning with three small rooms and has built the Arcadia facility into the 11,000-plus square-foot free-standing facility that it is today. 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.

Dr. Fortanasce is appointed as 2012 Injury prevention and rehabilitation consultant for China Olympic Team.

Ken Mengel, PT, MPT, OCS

Kenneth W. Mengel 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.

David A. Gutkind, PT, DPT, OCS

Dr. Gutkind graduated from Calif. State University, Northridge with a Bachelor of Science in Health Science and his Physical Therapy degree in 1989. He went on to complete his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2006, graduating from Western University in Pomona. His initially focused on neurological rehabilitation and for the past 20+ years has emphasized primarily musculoskeletal and orthopedic physical therapy care. Over time he has developed a specialty expertise in industrial and ergonomic intervention, working in clinic and for various corporate settings assisting with preventative care industrial and repetitive movement discomfort. He lectures yearly to local PT schools and recently published a book on spine care incorporating rehab, industrial and ergonomic concepts for neck and back pain sufferers. He has spoken on multiple occasions to community groups on various topics ranging in scope from balance, ergonomics, fitness and the spine.

He has been an APTA member since 1989 and serves on the board of the California Private Practice group beginning in 2008. He received his first Orthopedic Clinical Specialist certification in 1997 and was re-certified again in 2007.

A southern California native, he lives locally with his wife and three children. He is active with weekend athletics including softball, baseball and general fitness and reads history, biography and adventure books. Recent hobbies include learning to play guitar and bass.

Audrey Chen-Ma, MA, OTR/L, CHT

Audrey Chen-Ma graduated from USC Occupational Therapy and Science in 1993. She graduated from USC with her Master's degree in 1995. She became a Certified Hand Therapist in 2000 as well as a Certified Lymphedema Therapist in 2005. Audrey began her professional career practicing OT in acute and rehab setting from 1993-1995. Moved to outpatient Hand Therapy specialty practice since 1995. In 1998, moved to North Carolina and practiced with groups of orthopedic surgeons for 7 years and in a level II trauma hospital for 3 years. Joined Fortanasce Physical Therapy in year 2009. Audrey is an active member of American Society of Hand Therapists, the American Occupational Therapy Association and Hand Therapy Society of Greater Los Angeles. On her free time she enjoys traveling and listening to music. She has 2 kids that keep her very busy.

Lilian Chen-Fortanasce, PT, DPT, OCS

Dr. Chen is one of a very few Chinese to earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) in the US in early 2000. She holds a DPT from the University of Southern California and has two Master’s degrees (in Developmental Kinesiology, from Bowling Green State University; in Sports Biochemistry, from East China Normal University in Shanghai.) She is a Board-Certified Orthopedic Specialist (OCS) from the American Physical Therapy Association and a Comprehensive Pilates Instructor (CPI). She is a Certified Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) Medical Professional. Her clinical expertise encompasses evaluation and treatment of sports injury prevention and rehab, post-op care, orthopedic neurological patient care, pre- and post-natal care, and inpatient surgical and non-surgical care.

Dr. Chen is the first Western-trained Doctor of Physical Therapy to treat China's highest level Olympic athletes for rehabilitation and injury prevention. As Chief Rehab Specialist at the National Training Bureau of the General Administration of Sports of China, she was entrusted with treating Chinese Olympiads during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. In 2009, the General Administration of Sports of China appointed Dr. Chen project manager for the rehabilitation and injury prevention of the national team's athletes.

As consultant to the Chinese Olympic Committee for 2012 London Olympics, Dr. Chen and her team provide training to the team physicians at China's National Training Center, Beijing, in evaluation, prevention and rehabilitation of athletic injuries since 2009.

Dr. Chen is a representative for the Education Division of the Science and Education Department for the All-China Sports Federation, a presenter and speaker for China Fit and the International Forum in Personal Training conferences, and a liaison and interpreter for education exchange projects with the University of Southern California, the Chinese Olympic Committee, and Human Kinetics Publishers. She is instrumental in establishing the firstinternational clinical education program to train Chinese sports rehab specialists in western physical therapy established in 2010. Fortanasce & Associates PT clinic is the clinical sports internship site for the China sports rehabilitation specialists in USA.

Tamara Enfiedjian, PT, DPT, OCS, ATC

Dr. Enfiedjian is an alumnus of University of California, Fresno with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology-Exercise Science. In 2006, she earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Chapman University with special interests in Orthopedics. Tamara completed a year-long residency at Fortanasce & Associates and further earned her Physical Therapy Specialty in Orthopedics in 2008. She has also been a Certified Athletic Trainer since 2003. She is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and Orthopedics Section. Tamara's interests include cultural and church related events, outdoor activities including hiking, and adventuring around the world.

Casey Chaney, PT, PhD, OCS, CSCS

Dr. Chaney received her PhD from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah. She earned her Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist credential (CSCS) in 1998 and board certification as an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) in 2000. Casey received her degree in Physical Therapy from Russell Sage College in New York, where she also earned a Master's degree in Health Education.

Casey is active in research and has contributed to articles that have been published in journals put out by both the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Physical Therapy Association. She is also an active member of the APTA and attends national, regional, and local meetings regularly. She has been an invited speaker at all levels of these meetings.

Dr. Chaney works full-time at Western University of Health Sciences in the Department of Physical Therapy Education where she coordinates and teaches Physiology of Exercise, Foundations of the Musculoskeletal Examination, as well as Differential Diagnosis for the Advanced Standing DPT students. Administratively, she is in charge of Admission to the Advanced Standing DPT program. She sees patients on Tuesdays, Thursdays and some Saturdays.

Johnny Chen, PT, DPT, CSCS

Dr. Chen completed his undergraduate work in Integrative Biology at the University of California, Berkeley in 2001. He earned a Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree at the University of Southern California in 2005. Johnny has been a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist as well as an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association and Orthopedics Section since 2004. He continues to pursue specialist education in his career field. Bilingual in English and Mandarin, he joined the Fortanasce staff in 2007 to provide quality physical therapy care to a diverse patient population. In his spare time, Johnny enjoys sports (Go Cal Bears!), church-related activities, traveling, and spending time with his wife and two children.

Michael Eubanks, PTA

Michael graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from California State University, Los Angeles. In 2011, he earned a Physical Therapist Assistant degree from Cerritos College.

He enjoys spending time with his wife and kids. He also likes to coach and referee youth sports in his spare time.

Nikola Drazenovic, MS, ATC, NASM CES, CSPS

Nikola earned his Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology focus in Athletic Training from California State University of Fullerton in 2007. He continued his education by attending California Baptist University and earning his Masters of Science in Athletic Training. Nikola is a Board Certified Athletic Trainer, member of National Athletic Trainers Association and a National Academy of Sports Medicine Corrective Exercise Specialist since 2009.

Nikola began with Fortanasce and Associates in 2010 and is currently the Head Certified Athletic Trainer and Strength and Conditioning Coach at his alma mater Temple City High School. Currently with colleagues, has assisted in the development of Fortanasce Athletic Sports Training (F.A.S.T.) a Sports Performance Optimization Program for a range of athletes of all ages.

Nikola currently resides locally with his wife Nicole, and away from work enjoys the great outdoors by boating, camping, hiking and fishing.

Sam Orefice, MBA, ATC, CSPS

Sam is our Director of Sports Medicine & Fitness and has been with the clinic since 1998. He is a Certified Athletic Trainer and Certified Sports Performance Specialist. Sam has provided Athletic Training services for multiple high schools and, in conjunction with colleagues, has developed Fortanasce Athletic Sports Training (F.A.S.T.), a unique Performance Optimization Program for athletes of all ages. Sam also serves as a Clinical Instructor for Azusa Pacific University's Athletic Training Education Program. Away from work, he enjoys spending time with his wife and 2 children.

So Young Ho, ATC, CSCS

So Young Ho is a Certified Athletic Trainer and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. She received her Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training and Exercise Science from Ithaca College in 2005. She earned both her athletic training (ATC) and strength and conditioning (CSCS) certifications in 2005. She is a member of the National Athletic Trainers Association and the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

So Young is also the head athletic trainer at Gabrielino High School. In her spare time, So Young likes to cook, bake, hike and have potlucks with her friends and family.

Julie Cullen, BS

Julie received her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Exercise from California State University, Los Angeles in 2009.

She is currently working toward receiving her Certificate in Applied Gerontology and plans on becoming a Physical Therapy Assistant. Julie has been with the company since spring 2008. Julie heads up the balance Improvement Program. In her free time, Julie enjoys reading, watching movies, and participating in outdoor activities.

Kristy Bankston, Exercise Physiologist

Kristy Bankston is one of our Gym Staff Exercise Physiologists. She received her BA in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Exercise Science from the University of Northern Colorado in 2000. She has a background in cardiac and pulmonary rehab. While not at work, Kristy enjoys a variety of sports, camping, hiking and spending time with her husband and 1-year-old son.

Steve Smekar, MS

A Michigan native, Steve graduated in 1984 from Kirtland Community College in Roscommon, MI, with an Associates in Science in Electronics Technology. In 2000, he graduated from Lakeland College in Sheboygan, WI, with a Bachelor of Arts in Exercise Science and Sports Studies. Finally, in 2002, he completed my Master of Science in Exercise Science from University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. After several years of personal training in Portland, OR, Steve moved to southern California in 2008 and began his work at Fortanasce. He enjoys weightlifting, powerwalking, and is a big fan of the farmer's market scene.

Alan Solis

Alan runs the Senior Fitness class every Tuesday and Thursday and does personal training. He has been running senior fitness class since 2005 and employed for 12 years by Fortanasce & Associates.

Jon Ross