Physical and Occupational Therapists

Cory Webb, PT

After relocating to Maryland from Michigan in 2008, I accepted a physical therapist position at Greater Metropolitan Orthopaedics. I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy from Langston University in Langston, Oklahoma. Serving as a physical therapist for over 18 years and in three states, I have enjoyed home health, out patient rehabilitation, in patient rehabilitation, physical medicine, and industrial rehabilitation.

Seeing patients progress is a highlight for me. I have a talent for interacting with each patient on a human level and connecting with them in ways that make them comfortable. Explaining treatment in ways that patients understand it allows them to be more open to their necessary plan of care. My primary goal is to help each individual I treat get better and return to a life without pain.

In my spare time, I enjoy outdoor beautification (yard work).

Emika Embrack, PT

I have been a therapist at GMO since Dec of 2008. I have completed my Master of Physical Therapy at Howard University and earned a BS in Pre-physical Therapy as well. My passion towards physical therapy started at an internship at Howard University Hospital, where I was astonished at the amazing recoveries made with rehab patients. Throughout the course of my career I have developed a special interest in manual therapy and love working with orthopedic patients.

Scott Zimmerman, LPTA

I became and love working as a Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant, because as a team of professionals and the patient we can work together to get you back to work, activities of daily living, interest and hobbies, and much more. I look at he/she as an individual first and a patient second.

I am a graduate of Mount Aloysius College and have been practicing Physical Therapy since January 2008. I have been living in Maryland since December 2007 with my wife Jocelyn, 3 dogs ( Deuce, Callidora, and Sarge), and have had a recent addition to the family. My beautifal daughter was born on August 3, 2009. My wife is an amazing Elementary Teacher at William A. Diggs in Waldorf. I am newly employed here at Greater Metropolitan Orthopedics since August 17, 2009 and look to grow as a therapist as well as a person for many years to come. So far it has been a great pleasure to work with thst staff and patients.

Kimberli Shields Walker, DPT
Maryland Physical Therapy Director

I have been a physical therapist at the Waldorf office since April 2003. I earned my Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of St. Augustine in St. Augustine, Florida in conjunction with Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia in 2003.

I love physical therapy because of the ‘hands on’ approach. It is a wonderful daily experience to be a part of the process that takes a person from a place of pain, physical limitation and dysfunction to a place where the person can return to their prior level of function. It is also a blessing for me to interact with each patient and get to know each patient. It is through these interactions that I become a better physical therapist. I hope to become certified in Manual Therapy in the near future.

I was born and raised in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and I love to read and cook in my spare time.

Brandy Harley, PTA

Originally, I started with GMO as a Physical Therapy Technician from 1990 to 1997. I then attended the Physical Therapist Assistant Program (CACHE) through Charles County Community College which is a combination of Charles County Community College, Anne Arundel Community College, and CHEsapeake College. Each class consisted of 25 students. Shortly that, I returned to GMO as a Physical Therapist Assistant in 2006.

GMO has always treated me with great respect and equality. I love physical therapy because I truly enjoy helping people get better and return to their everydaly life prior to injury and without pain and dysfunction. Knowing that I can impact someone’s life by just being me and doing what I love brings me personal satisfaction.

In December 2008, I finished my course work and obtained a degree in Massage Therapy from The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) By the end of 2009, I hope to become a licensed massage therapist which is my second passion.

My favorite past times are to be outdoors in the sunshine, spending time with my family and friends, being a mom and just recently becoming and being a wife.

Nicole Garner, PT, DPT

I graduated from High Point University (High Point, North Carolina) with a B.S. in Exercise Science in 2004. I completed Didactic Physical therapy course work at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and graduated with a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in September 2009. During my PT education I completed full clinical affiliations with: Calvert Sports Physical Therapy (outpatient orthopedic), Peninsula Regional Medical Center (hospital acute care), Johns Hopkins Bayview Geriatric Care Center (inpatient geriatric rehab), and at the National Rehabilitation Hospital (mixed outpatient), and had shorter clinical experiences with The Salisbury Hand Center, Deer’s Head Hospital Center, and Chesapeake Rehabilitation Center.

In February 2009, I was welcomed onto the GMO physical therapy staff at our Waldorf location.

Donna C. Concepcion, PT

I once received a card from patient with the line, “Thank you for making me walk again!” This patient’s heartfelt gratitude for getting her back on her feet after surgery, among others who are able to return to their pre-morbid lifestyle at home and at work, makes Physical Therapy a very gratifying profession. I consider it a blessing to be in a career which creates a significant difference in a person’s life.

I am Donna Cruz-Concepcion, a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy graduate from Angeles University , Angeles City , Philippines . I’ve been in practice since 2001 and I just recently joined Greater Metropolitan Orthopedics. Complementing my clinical experience in out patient, hospital and home care settings, I have completed a number of continuing education courses related to orthopaedics, sports injuries, and manual therapy. I intend to pursue my doctorate degree and earn certification in either orthopaedics or manual therapy in the future.

Apart from work, I stay busy at home playing with my little one.

Vanessa Lagera, PT

I love this career because it gives me a chance to help  people feel better and be healthier. I have been a physical therapist since graduation with a bachelors in Physical Therapy from the University of the Philippines in October 1993. I came to the United States in 1996 and started working in the brain injury program of a rehabilitation hospital  in Fort Lauderdale. Later,  I transferred to it's general outpatient clinic and found I liked orthopedics best. I continue to learn new things as I take on new assignments, treat different conditions and as I take continuing education. I have been with Greater Metropolitan Orthopedics since 2001 except for the years 2004 - 2005 when I did travel PT assignments and also worked in a school for kids with disabilities. It's very rewarding to see people getting better. I have a lot of fun getting to know these wonderful people I meet and work with everyday, who come from vastly different backgrounds and life experiences. Outside of work, I love to hang out with loved ones, travel, read, eat out and volunteer for causes I believe in, one passion being healthcare for  the poor in developing nations.

Susan Ramsey, PTA, AAS

I have been a PTA since 1994 where I earned my AAS degree from NOVA. Originally, I earned my BS in Physical Education from GMU, where I received a good background in teaching and coaching athletics. I love working with Orthopaedic clients. I’m married with 6 children under 12, so I stay very busy with baseball, scouts, piano lessons, and other activities. I’m a native of this area, as I was born in Washington DC, and raised in Arlington. I still enjoy playing adult softball with my husband.

Mary Woodbury, OT, CHT

I have been an Occupational Therapist for 20 years earning my bachelors degree in OT in 1989 from the University of New England in Biddeford, Maine. Thus far, my career has included patient care in many arenas including acute and rehabilitation settings, home health and outpatient care. I have spent the past 15 years primarily in expanding my knowledge and expertise in the orthopedic “hand” arena and became certified as a hand therapist in 2007. I began employment with Greater Metropolitan Orthopedics in the Alexandria location in October 2006. I enjoy interacting with patients each day. I am greatly satisfied when I can assist a patient to achieve improved use and independence with their daily living activities through restoration of hand and upper extremity function.

Lee Vaughan Wampler, PT
Virginia Director

Lee has worked in the metropolitan area over 27 years. As an honor graduate from Lynchburg College, honor student from George Mason University and Physical Therapy honor degree from Howard University in 1982, she brings vast experience in the field of Physical Therapy. She has a proven reputation of treating successfully, varied diagnoses with specialties specifically in Sports Medicine, Spinal Dysfunction, Fibromyalgia, Myofascial Pain and TMJ disorders. Lee also provides an Osteoporosis Program and an increasingly popular Golf Performance Program. Lee has been a member of the APTA since 1980 and held various positions on the executive board of the APTA and VPTA since 1985. She has been a consultant and contact for the Public Relations and other sections of the APTA as well. Lee was a past recipient of the Who’s Who of business leaders; an honor limited to individuals who have demonstrated leadership and achievement in their profession. She is very active in the community through her Physical Therapy contacts, consults with various sports teams for injury management and prevention; and also assists in performing Sports Physicals and Flexibility Assessment for the local High School (South County Secondary School). Lee and her husband enjoy spending time with their teenage girl with many community activities.

Robin Hurley, PTA
Clinical Coordinator

I was born in Arlington, VA and grew up in an ever-growing family. I have seven brothers, one sister, and twenty nieces and nephews...and counting. I have a twelve-year-old son named Benjamin and we both love family time and "hallway soccer". I graduated from the Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Northern Virginia Community College in May 2007 and have been with GMO since August 2008. It is a pleasure working alongside such a wonderful group of professionals and I am enjoying working with our motivated patient population.

Cary Peralta, PT
Clinical Coordinator

From Baguio City Philippines, Cary earned his Bachelor’s of Science in Physical Therapy in 1997. After working as a licensed physical therapist in the Philippines, Cary came to the United States in 1999 and received his PT license in 2001. Cary has focused on sports rehabilitation and orthopedics by utilizing the Maitland Manual Therapy approach .His passion is assisting patients in achieving their therapy goals. Cary joined the GMOI staff in December 2009. Cary loves to spend his time with his wife and two kids. He is also bilingual, speaking both English and Tagalog.

Anne Glynn, PTA

Though born and raised in Missouri, I've spent more than 30 years in the DC area.  After graduating from Indiana Univ. with a degree in psychology, I had a variety of jobs, from social worker to children's librarian!  The late 70's brought the aerobics craze and I became an instructor, continuing to take continuing ed. in step, aquatics, and strength training.  After earning my certificate in personal training, I saw the need to modify all I had learned to special needs populations and seniors.  Giving in to a  lifetime desire to pursue something the medical world, it seemed like a natural transition into physical therapy. Since graduating from NOVA, in 1997, I have worked in orthopedics and I can say that I am finally really using that degree in psychology. I love getting to know the patients, earning their trust, and watching them get better. Along the way, I managed to raise two spectacular sons.  Weekends find me power walking and watching quirky independent films. I know with the therapists and physicians at GMO, I'm part of a distinguished team.

Pam Tinker, PT

Pam Tinker is a Licensed Physical Therapist who graduated from the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond. Pam worked for 18 years in the INOVA health system. She was instrumental in the planning and implementation of the of the Mount Vernon Hospital Rehabilitation program. She directed the program which included Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech-Language Pathologists, Recreation Therapists, Neuropsychologists and Physiatrists. In her capacity as Director she supervised over 100 employees and an operational budget of several million dollars. Other experience includes school based physical therapy in Fairfax County and Falls Church Public Schools, home health physical therapy and geriatric care. She has also completed the certification course in Thai Yoga Massage from the Lotus Palm school in Canada. In her capacity as the Founder and Executive Director of Frog Pond Early Learning Center, she directs one of the few inclusion model preschools in the area. About 20% of the children attending her school have a special need that the school accommodates. The non-profit school has an earth-based curriculum and includes a small farm with dwarf goats, ducks and chickens as well as two acres of grounds and gardens. The Huntley Meadows Park located next door extends the children’s experience and knowledge of the cycles of nature as they walk through the wetlands each week. She is married to Cardiologist, Bruce Tinker and has a son, Robby Tinker and a daughter Becca Tinker. Robby is a graduate student at Oregon State and Becca is in her last year at University of Oregon. Pam, Robby and Becca are tribal members of the Cherokee Nation in addition to their English, Scotch, and Irish heritage.