Our Team
Dr. Kjersten Skjold, Physical Therapist
Dr. Kjersten Skjold was born and raise on Alaska's Kenai Peninsula. She graduated from the Cornerstone University in 2010 with a Bachelor's of Science in Exercise Science and went on to The University of North Dakota where she graduated as Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2015.
Kjersten is passionate about providing excellent, compassionate, goal driven care regardless of a person's diagnosis or functional abilities. Throughout her career she has gained a variety of experience working in multiple settings with both neurological and orthopedic conditions and working with individuals across the lifespan with a range of abilities, but has found that she has a specific passion, expertise and skill set to assess & treat individuals with neurological conditions and injuries.
She believes that the ultimate goal of physical therapy and neurological rehabilitation should be more about realizing health, fitness, and resiliency than about a return to base line or reaching one's prior level of function.
You should know that Kjersten is not afraid to push boundaries, solve problems and do things unconventionally if it results in better outcomes for the patient.
She believes that intention, consistency, and positivity are the key ingredients of success.
When not in the clinic Kjersten enjoys weightlifting, Cross Fit, hiking, cross country skiing, back packing and spending time outdoors with her black lab Riley.
EDUCATION
· Doctor of Physical Therapy- University of North Dakota
· Bachelors of Science in Exercise Science - Cornerstone University
CERTIFICATION
· Certified in Neuro Developmental Treatment
· Cross Fit Level 1 Trainer
· Certified in Modern Management of the Older Adult
Anya Znamenskaya, PTA
Anya Znamenskaya is originally from Khabarovsk, Russia. She moved to Anchorage, AK in 2013 to study in the United States and became a U.S. citizen in 2018. Since moving to Anchorage, she attended UAA and graduated in 2018 with her Associates and became a Physical Therapist Assistant.
Anya began her therapy career working at Providence Rehabilitation Services where she gained valuable experience with the geriatric population with both orthopedic and neurological injuries in the outpatient setting. Along the way, Anya decided to branch out to become a travel PTA where she traveled along the west coast and Colorado working in outpatient, skilled nursing facilities, acute care and aquatic therapy.
While Anya has a wide array of experience, she is most passionate about older adults 55+, stroke and Parkinson disease rehabilitation. She has a unique gift to see the potential in every person who walks in the doors of the clinic and is able to identify concrete ways to improve their function and participation in their desired activities. Anya doesn't give up and she pushes patients to believe in themselves and help them reach their goals.
When Anya is not in the clinic, she enjoys knitting, cross stitching, hiking, taking road trips across the country, watching movies, and anything Christmas!
EDUCATION
· Associate of Applied Science - Physical Therapist Assistant
University of Alaska Anchorage
· Masters of Science - Accounting: Taxation
Far-Eastern Institute of Legislation and Jurisprudence
CERTIFICATION
· Certified in Big & Loud Treatment of Parkinson Disease (LSVT BIG)
· Certified in Modern Management of the Older Adult