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
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.
Lauren Baier, PT, DPT
Staff Physical Therapist, Assistant Clinic Manager · Los Lunas
Amand Kropf, PT, DPT
Staff Physical Therapist Assistant · Los Lunas
Amanda graduated in 2016 from Touro University Nevada in Henderson and has been practicing in Las Vegas, Nevada. She recently moved back to Albuquerque to be closer to family and is excited to be working at Paradigm. In her free time, she likes to play with her dog, read, go to the movies, and hang out with her nieces and nephews. She also attempts to go to as many concerts as possible.
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.
Steven Clark, PTA, BSPTA
Staff Physical Therapist Assistant · Los Lunas
Stephen graduated from Pima Medical Institute and began working as a physical therapist assistant in 2018. During his time gaining experience and honing his skills at Paradigm, Stephen obtained his Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant from Pima Medical Institute. Stephen places a large emphasis on combining manual therapy and therapeutic exercise to improve patient outcomes. In his spare time Stephen enjoys exercising, rock climbing, archery, and obstacle course racing.
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.
Gabriella Mendoza, PTA
Staff Physical Therapist Assistant · Los Lunas
Bio Coming Soon!
Belen Staff
Jesse Swann, PT, DPT
Staff Physical Therapist, Assistant Clinic Manager · 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.
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.
Sara Sollars, PTA
Staff Physical Therapist Assistant · Belen
Sara graduated from Pima Medical Institute and became a licensed PTA in 2018. She continues to challenge her skills and knowledge in the field of physical therapy by attaining an advanced degree while practicing here at Paradigm. She enjoys the variety of patients she treats and strives to make therapy an engaging and fun experience. In her free-time she can be found on the lake, camping, snowboarding, jogging, and competing in long-distance obstacle races.
Mary Porcher, PTA
Staff Physical Therapist Assistant · Belen
Mary, known as Maggie to her friends and patients, is a Belen local who has been with Paradigm since 2017, starting out as a gym technician and then as a part of our fantastic front desk staff. She graduated from CNM and became a licensed PTA in 2019 and her attachment to the community and previous experience with patients inspired her to return as a therapist. Maggie believes in taking a holistic approach to healing and giving patients the opportunity to take an active role in their recovery and health and she’s looking forward to giving back to the community she grew up in. In her spare time she enjoys going to the lake, hiking, and spending time with her family and dogs.
Lindsey Reynolds, 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.
Gabriella Mendoza, PTA
Staff Physical Therapist Assistant · Belen
Bio Coming Soon!
Bernalillo Staff
Steve Waghorn, PT, Practice Administrator, Clinic Manager
Physical Therapist / Practice Administrator/Clinic Manager · Bernalillo / South Valley
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.
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.
Sean Lichtenberger, PTA
Staff Physical Therapist Assistant · Bernalillo
Graduated 2014 from NWTC in Green Bay Wisconsin. Sean moved to New Mexico in late 2019 from San Antonio Texas and started that year with Paradigm. He enjoys interacting with his patients to make each session enjoyable. In his spare time Sean enjoys working out and being outdoors hiking and exploring New Mexico.
Cynthia Villyard, M.F.A., PTA
Staff Physical Therapist Assistant · Bernalillo
Gabriella Mendoza, PTA
Staff Physical Therapist Assistant · Bernalillo
Bio Coming Soon!
South Valley Staff
Caroline Ludwig, PT, DPT
Staff Physical Therapist · Bernalillo
Caroline is originally from northern Georgia. She moved to New Mexico in 2017 with her husband to relocate for military service after graduating with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA. Her undergraduate degree is a Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sports Science from the University of Georgia, with which she served as a Wellness Coach for two years following graduation.
She enjoys working with patients of all ages, particularly those seeking knowledge on how to lead a more active lifestyle and engage in preventative care to avoid future injuries. She also enjoys helping people with dizziness and vestibular disorders.
Her hobbies outside of work include spending time with her husband and dog, traveling, and going for hikes to enjoy the beautiful Southwestern landscape and the therapeutic effects of nature.”
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.
Eryk Ocasio, PT, DPT
Staff Physical Therapist, Assistant Clinic Manager · 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.
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.
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.
Adrian Avitia, PTA
Staff Physical Therapist Assistant · South Valley
Adrian graduated in 2018 from Central New Mexico Community College. He believes in establishing great rapport with patients to help them live a better quality life. He is committed to growing as a healthcare professional with Paradigm and furthering his education. He was born and raised in Albuquerque, NM and he is driven to serve his community. Some of his favorite activities include swimming, kickboxing, hiking, volleyball and fishing. professional with Paradigm and furthering his education. He was born and raised in Albuquerque, NM and he is driven to serve his community. Some of his favorite activities include swimming, kickboxing, hiking, volleyball and fishing.
Gabriella Mendoza, PTA
Staff Physical Therapist Assistant · South Valley
Bio Coming Soon!