Paradigm Physical Therapy Team | Paradigm Physical Therapy

Donald Sanchez, PT

Founder/President · All Paradigm Locations

Donald graduated from UNM’s Division of Physical Therapy in 1983. He has worked in several clinics throughout the Southwest but returned to his hometown of Los Lunas in 1996 to fulfill the dream of owning his own practice. He has dedicated his life to physical therapy and the application of a comprehensive, all-inclusive approach to patient care. He believes that physical therapy is a perfect venue to be able to help people and touch lives. Donald is committed to the advancement of the profession of PT and the ongoing conversation of the healing capacity of the human body.

Donald lives in Los Lunas with his wife Loraine and their son Estevan. He enjoys gardening, classic cars, exercise, and the outdoors.

Steve Waghorn, PT, Practice Administrator

Physical Therapist / Practice Administrator · All Paradigm Locations

Steve graduated in 2004 from UNM’s Division of Physical Therapy with a Master’s degree. Steve has been with Paradigm Physical Therapy since 2000, starting out as a therapy technician. His relationship with Paradigm influenced him to return as a therapist.

Nicole Rejda

Chief Administrative Officer · All Paradigm Locations

Nicole is the heart and soul of Paradigm. She helps to bridge the gap between clinical staff and administrative staff and has more responsibilities than can be listed. She has been with Paradigm since 2010 and in her time has effected very positive change. She is married with 2 children and lives in Valencia County.

Los Lunas Staff

Elizabeth Shiels, PTA,

Staff Physical Therapist Assistant · Los Lunas

Liz graduated from Pima Medical Institute Albuquerque campus April 2017 and began working for the Los Lunas Clinic in September as a PTA. She has nearly 20 years of experience as a certified group fitness instructor and personal trainer with the American Council on Exercise and was a former licensed Registered Dietitian at UNMH. Liz is also a Local Weightlifting Competition Referee and registered Masters Lifter with USA Weightlifting. During her free time, she enjoys swimming, yoga, gardening, and vacations with her family.

Carla Jester, PTA

Staff Physical Therapist Assistant · Los Lunas

Carla graduated from Pima Medical Institute in June of 2013 and began working for the Los Lunas clinic in July as a PTA. She is also a personal trainer certified through the American College of Sports Medicine. She brings with her 17 years of medical experience as a paramedic in Oregon, and finds that the knowledge serves her well in the field of physical therapy. Carla is an endurance road cyclist who regularly participates in events with distances anywhere from 50 to 111 miles. She also enjoys other outdoor activities such as hiking, snowshoeing, and flatwater kayaking.

Frances Lowenberg, PTA

Staff Physical Therapist Assistant · Los Lunas

Francie is from Dallas TX, and moved to Albuquerque in 1993 to attend the University of New Mexico to study Art and Education. She has been a PTA since graduating from Carrington College in 2012. Before becoming a PTA, Francie was a gymnastics instructor. Besides gymnastics, she has been involved in equestrian vaulting, and is the conditioning coach for a vaulting club in Corrales. When not working or vaulting, she enjoys spending time with family, hiking, gardening and creating fiber art paintings.

Lauren Baier, PT, DPT

Staff Physical Therapist · Los Lunas

Lauren is a Wisconsin native who earned her undergraduate degree at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota in Biology and Spanish. She attended physical therapy school at Washington University in St. Louis and worked as a physical therapist in Northeast Missouri before relocating to New Mexico to be closer to family, warmer weather, and mountains. Lauren takes a movement system approach to physical therapy evaluation for othopedic pain problems, watching for movement faults or poor body mechanics that may be increasing pain. In addition to orthopedic physical therapy, Lauren enjoys seeing patient with neurological or vestibular conditions. She especially enjoys balance training.

In her spare time, Lauren enjoys hiking, rock climbing, biking, swimming, triathlons, cooking, and time spent with family.

Isaac Aragon, PT, DPT

Staff Physical Therapist · Los Lunas

Isaac is a graduate of Regis University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program in Denver, CO. Prior to attending Regis, he was a member of the St. John Fisher College men’s basketball team in Rochester, NY before returning to his home state to complete his Bachelor’s degree in Community Health and Cultural Studies from the University of New Mexico. Isaac has a strong orthopedic background, with a special interest in Manual Therapy. His philosophy is one that promotes a holistic, multi-modal approach in facilitating and encouraging the healing process.

Isaac is thrilled at the opportunity to return home and serve the communities in his beloved New Mexico. In his spare time, he enjoys skiing, fly fishing, mountain biking, and playing music.

David Garcia, PT, DPT

Staff Physical Therapist · Los Lunas

An Albuquerque native, David earned his Doctorate from UNM’s Division of Physical Therapy. He has served Oregon, northern New Mexico, and worked briefly in Roswell, but has since returned to serve his beloved home town. He has had experience with both pediatric and neurological populations, but especially thrives treating orthopedic conditions. His goal is to perform comprehensive, patient-centered therapy which encourages you to return to the activities, hobbies, and sports which often define us.

In his free time, you are likely to find David adventuring — hiking with his dog Hugo, traveling, biking, snowboarding, wake boarding, rock climbing, fishing and camping.

Leah Rigdon, PTA

Staff Physical Therapist Assistant · Belen/Los Lunas/Bernalillo/South Valley

Leah grew up in Wisconsin, and has lived in New Mexico since the fall of 2012. Leah graduated from Carrington College in 2014, and has been a PTA w/ Paradigm since graduating. She is very happy to have had the opportunity to learn and grow w/ the company, and looks forward to continued growth. She enjoys helping others reach their goals, and being able to meet so many people. Leah enjoys working w/ return to sport athletes, and has completed her certification in Kinesio Tape. In her spare time Leah enjoys golfing, tennis, fishing, horseback riding, and reading.

Belen Staff

Lindsey Phillips, PTA

Staff Physical Therapist Assistant · Belen/Los Lunas

Lindsey was born and raised in los lunas nm. She began her career with Paradigm as a clinic attendant, until she graduated from Pima Medical Institute as a PTA on 2015. Lindsey is excited to be apart of a team that is passionate about helping people accomplish their goals. In her spare time she loves to play volleyball, exercise, and spend time with her family.

Ben Porcher, PTA

Staff Physical Therapist Assistant · Belen

Ben recently graduated from Pima Medical Institute in 2015 to pursue a career in rehabilitation that he has always been drawn towards. He has lived in Belen since 1996 with his wife and three children and enjoys working with people to help them achieve their goals. Ben is an avid outdoor enthusiast who enjoys hiking and running.

Erin Aragon, PT, DPT

Staff Physical Therapist · Belen

Erin is originally from Northern California. She received her Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology from The Pennsylvania State University in 2012 and went on to complete her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at Regis University in Denver, CO. Erin looks forward to exploring all that New Mexico has to offer and is excited to be part of a team that is patient centered and dedicated to improving the lives of individuals within it’s community.

Jesse Swann, PT, DPT

Staff Physical Therapist · Belen

Jesse grew up south of Belen, in the small town of Contreras, and has lived in Albuquerque and Bosque Farms throughout his coursework in undergrad and graduate school. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science in 2013 and his Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy in 2016, both at the University of New Mexico. Jesse enjoys the orthopedic setting due to the variety of age groups and diagnoses he gets to work with. He is especially interested in sports rehabilitation, working with various hand/wrist and foot/ankle diagnoses and patients with amputations. He is excited to go to a variety of continuing education courses to expand on the knowledge he has gained in his school coursework. He works to incorporate full-body, multi-system treatment approach with all patients, including working to improve breathing and diaphragm control in patients with chronic back pain.

Jesse is excited to be back in the town he grew up in and to be able to give back to the community of Belen.

Jason Sedillo, PT, DPT

Staff Physical Therapist · Belen

Jason graduated in 2017 from UNM’s Division of Physical Therapy with a Doctorate degree. Jason has been with Paradigm Physical Therapy since 2007, starting out as a therapy technician and working in the gym program. His experience working with Paradigm and patients influenced him to return as a therapist.

Jennifer Driskell, PTA

Staff Physical Therapist Assistant · Belen

Jennifer graduated from Carrington College in June 2016 and began working for Paradigm Physical Therapy in July as a Physical Therapist Assistant. Jennifer is proud to say she was born and raised in Los Lunas. After graduating from Los Lunas High School, she attended New Mexico State University where she received her bachelor’s degree in Individualized Studies, with an emphasis in Sports Care Management and a Minor in Psychology. Jennifer is excited to have the opportunity to give back to this wonderful community by caring for her friends and neighbors and all the wonderful residents of Valencia County. She has always been very passionate about helping others achieve their goals.

In her down time, Jennifer enjoys spending time with family and friends, gardening and hiking.

Bernalillo Staff

Steve Waghorn, PT, Practice Administrator, Clinic Manager

Physical Therapist / Practice Administrator/Clinic Manager · Bernalillo / South Valley

Linda Stewart, PT

Staff Physical Therapist · Bernalillo

Linda graduated from the University of Kansas Medical Center, School of Physical Therapy in 1978. She worked in Alabama as a physical therapist for 34 years before relocating to New Mexico. She has been at the Bernalillo clinic since February of 2013.

Jamila Nicks, PTA

Staff Physical Therapist Assistant · Bernalillo

Jamila graduated in 2010 with a BS in Exercise Science from UNM. She worked as a Physical Therapy Technician for a number of years before becoming a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant in 2013. She has been with Paradigm since July 2013.

Cynthia Villyard, M.F.A., PTA

Staff Physical Therapist Assistant · Bernalillo

Cynthia (known as “Cy”) is a recent graduate of Pima Medical Institute’s Physical Therapist Assistant Program. As a former dancer, choreographer, and competitive fencer, Cy applies the knowledge she has gleaned from years of teaching, coaching, and mentorship to her work at Paradigm Physical Therapy. As an older athlete (two-time national medalist in women’s saber, age 40-49 years), she is especially inspired to work with older adults and help them overcome the challenges of improving their strength and balance in their daily lives.

Cy earned a B.A. in Dance in 1992, an M.F.A. in Dance in Related Arts in 2000, and an Associate’s of Applied Science in 2017. She lives in Albuquerque with her whimsical dog Hobbit and her grumpy cat Sargent Willis.

Ben Gonzalez, PT, DPT

Staff Physical Therapist · Bernalillo

Ben is a graduate from the University of New Mexico Division of Physical Therapy where he received his Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2017. Prior to attending UNM, he received his Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology at the Master’s University in Santa Clarita, CA. He has had clinical clerk-ships primarily in the orthopedic and sports setting where he gained useful experience and learned from highly skilled clinicians. He has developed particular interests in manual therapy; sports rehabilitation and injury prevention. Ben is very passionate about patient centered care and strives for the clinical excellence that Paradigm promotes.

Margaret Valdez, PTA

Staff Physical Therapist Assistant · Bernalillo

Margaret is a Native New Mexican and lifelong Bernalillo Resident. She graduated from Pima Medical Institute with a Physical Therapy Assistant degree in 2015. She has work in various therapy settings including: outpatient, pediatrics and in schools. She enjoys spending her downtime with her family and and she has a passion for fitness and outdoor activities.

South Valley Staff

Claire Shores, PT, DPT

Staff Physical Therapist · South Valley

Claire is a native New Mexican, she attended the University of New Mexico where she received a bachelor in nutrition and a doctorate of physical therapy. Claire is happily married and has two dogs who she enjoys spending time with. She also enjoys traveling and going on outdoor adventures, such as running, hiking, skiing and mountain biking. Claire enjoys working in the orthopedic setting because of the variety of people she is able to work with. She has a certification in pelvic floor rehabilitation to better help serve women with pelvic floor dysfunctions such as incontinence and pelvic pain. She looks forward to helping patients through therapy to strive for a happier, healthier life.

Jennifer Dominique, PTA

Staff Physical Therapist Assistant · South Valley

Jenny Dominique is a recent PTA graduate from San Juan College. She is also a certified yoga instructor with over ten years experience of working with a wide variety of clients. She has a passion for empowering individuals to understand their bodies and take an active role in their healing. She has called Albuquerque home for the last ten years, and enjoys hosting potlucks, family game nights and camping trips with her husband, two awesome sons, and her goofy 95-pounds-of-love mutt, Olivia.

Eryk Ocasio, PT, DPT

Staff Physical Therapist · South Valley

Eryk is originally from Alamogordo, NM, received his Bachelor’s in Business Administration at NMSU in Las Cruces, NM in 2009 and his Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Washington University in St Louis, MO in 2015. After working in a hospital based clinic in northern Missouri doing outpatient and inpatient care for a couple years, he is happy to be back in his home state near family and friends (and with much better weather!). His treatment philosophy involves incorporating not only exercise prescription but also addressing the mechanics of functional motions one does in everyday life that can aggravate or lead to an injury (getting up from a chair with knees together, standing with slouched posture, walking with feet pointing outward). He has a lovely, wonderful wife and a cool dog and enjoys hiking, climbing, biking, playing bass, and martial arts.

Steven West, PTA

Staff Physical Therapist Assistant · South Valley

Steven has been an Albuquerque resident for over 20 years, and loves the culture and environment of New Mexico. Steven found his love for physical therapy while working as a therapy technician, and found himself seeking a PTA degree. He graduated in 2015 from Carrington College as a Physical Therapist Assistant. Steven has experience in hands on care with techniques of manual therapy, modalities, therapeutic exercise, and taping. In his off time he enjoys technical challenges working in the garage or spending time with the family.