Physical Therapy Team
OUR PHYSICAL THERAPISTS
A Physical therapist (PT) is a healthcare professional who diagnoses and treats individuals of all ages, who have health-related conditions, illnesses or injuries that may limit their ability to move and perform functional activities, as well as they, would like in their daily lives. PTs examine each individual and develop a plan using treatment techniques to promote the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function and prevent disability. PTs evaluate and diagnose movement dysfunction and use therapeutic interventions to treat patients.





Ryan Hanks, PT, DPT, joined Coastal Orthopedics in August of 2023. He received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Exercise Science from the University of South Dakota before managing a gym and working as a personal trainer. He later returned to his alma mater and received his Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy. Ryan has spent plenty of time working with individuals of all ages, specializing in youth and professional athletes. In his free time, Ryan enjoys powerlifting and spending entirely too much money on shoes.
Lora Yoder, PT, DPT joined Coastal Orthopedics in May 2022. She received her B.S. degree in Kinesiology at the California State University San Marcos in 2015. Lora then completed her Doctorate in Physical Therapy at University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in San Diego, CA. After 17 years in San Diego, Lora moved back to her home state of Florida in May 2022. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, going to the beach, and exercising.







OUR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS
An Occupational Therapist (OT) is a healthcare professional whose goal is to help patients participate in the things they want or need to do, occupationally, through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. OTs focus on adapting a specific environment to fit to the individual patient, by use of common interventions which may include helping children with disabilities participate fully in school and social situations, helping people recovering from an injury to regain skills, and/or providing support for older adults experiencing physical and cognitive changes. OT services typically include individualized evaluation and goal planning, customized intervention to improve the patient’s ability to perform daily activities and reach goals, followed by an outcomes evaluation to ensure that the goals are being met or that appropriate changes are made to the intervention plan.

Susan Funk joined Coastal Orthopedic in 2022, just in time for Hurricane Ian. As a Florida resident for more than 40 yrs, and a graduate from the University of Florida, she knew that great people and places make a community. Coastal’s staff and patients proved that to be right! Susan developed a love of hand therapy early on in her career, and has been a certified hand therapist since 1999. She and her husband, Charles, who is a physical therapist, have many friends in the Bradenton/Sarasota area and are happy to be able to work and live here. She enjoys exercise, riding her motorcycle and seeing their son, Zack, when his busy schedule as a 2nd year emergency medicine resident in Jacksonville, FL permit.
Krista (she/her) obtained her Bachelor’s in Exercise Science in 2017 from Slippery Rock University and her Occupational Therapy Doctorate in 2022 from Gannon University. As natives of Pittsburgh, PA, she, and her partner have found new community in the sunshine state. Prior to becoming an occupational therapist (OT), she was a personal trainer and trauma-informed yoga instructor, and still teaches classes online. Through a holistic lens, Krista loves to incorporate fun activities combined with activity analysis to reach your fullest potential for various orthopedic conditions. As an advocate for her patients, Krista’s goal is to improve quality of life by providing client-centered, trauma-informed, and evidence-based care. Krista plans to become a Certified Hand Therapist in the next three to five years as she works with specialized orthopedic conditions of the upper extremity. She hopes to spread happiness and health wherever she is. In her free time, she enjoys strength training, yoga, pottery, going to the beach, cooking, and traveling.
A native of Richmond, Virginia, Kim attended Emory University for both Master and Doctor of Physical Therapy degrees. Kim had an early academic and clinical interest in upper extremity joints and has been a practicing Certified Hand Therapist for more than 20 years. She stays engaged with colleagues and developments in hand therapy through service to the International Federation of Societies for Hand Therapy and by serving on the Board of Directors of the American Society of Hand Therapists. In 2020, the American Association for Hand Surgery awarded her the Vargas International Hand Therapy Award. Kim, an avid gardener and hiker, enjoys reading, travel, and wellness.
OUR PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSISTANTS
A Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) works under the direction of a physical therapist to provide care to patients who are recovering from injuries, illnesses or surgery. Physical Therapy Assistants provide therapy to patients through specific exercises, educate patients and family members about what to do after treatment, observe patients before and during therapy and report patients’ responses to treatment to the physical therapist.










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Upon receiving his Bachelor of Science in Sport and Exercise from the University of Rio Grande, where he served as a four-year starting pitcher, Brent Watterson attained his Associate of Science in Physical Therapy Assistant studies from St. Petersburg College in 2009. Brent performed his last clinical affiliation with Coastal Physical Therapy, and joined the team full-time upon the completion of his schooling. In his spare time, Brent enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, and also enjoys playing the guitar.
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OUR ATHLETIC TRAINERS
An Athletic Trainer (AT) is a healthcare professional who specializes in preventing, diagnosing and treating acute and chronic muscle and bone conditions involving impairment, functional limitations and disabilities. ATs collaborate with physicians to optimize activity and participation of patients, and work with patients of all ages and skill levels.
Paul joined Coastal Orthopedics in April 2023. He received his bachelor degrees in Exercise Science and Educational Studies from Concordia University Chicago in 2015. He then went onto obtain his Master’s in Athletic Training from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in 2018. He has had the opportunity to work at a variety of different settings of athletic training such as clinical, high school, and collegiate levels. In his free time, he likes to give back to the soccer community by officiating local club leagues or tournaments.
Megan was born and raised in Jacksonville, FL. She played a lot of different sports over her life, which ultimately led her to her career today. Megan’s high school was fortunate enough to have an athletic trainer; getting to know him and his profession, plus her love for sports inspired her to pursue a career in athletic training. Megan attended Florida Southern College where she played on the women’s soccer team and received her Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training and a minor in Exercise Science in 2018. After graduation, Megan completed her Master of Science in Exercise Physiology in 2020 at Baylor University. Megan was the head athletic trainer for a high school in Texas for 3 years until moving to Sarasota and joining Coastal’s team. In her free time she likes to play soccer or go boating with her husband and dog. Megan’s favorite part of being an athletic trainer is building relationships with her patients and athletes.
Chelsea is originally from Upstate New York, but moved to Florida 13 years ago to study Athletic Training at Barry University. After graduating, she held various positions as an ATC most recently being at Bethesda Academy through Chatham Orthopaedic Associates, in Savanah, GA for the last 6 years. Chelsea is a sports fanatic, specifically the New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Steelers, and the US Women’s soccer team. She is a proud Aunt to her nephew, Sullivan, and her family is very important to her. When she is not working or watching sports, you can find her at the beach, traveling, or dancing.