Staff

Trisha Hopps, PT, CPI

Trisha Hopps, PT, CPI, co-founder, graduated from Cal. State University, Northridge and became a Physical Therapist (PT) in 1991. She has been working in Butte County since that time (7 of those years as a Rehabilitation Director) and has had the opportunity to work in many different clinical settings.

During those years, Trisha felt the urge to open her own practice with the vision of providing quality, hands on therapy in a non-traditional, warm, friendly and fun environment. Her visions became a reality when Ridge Physical Therapy & Wellness Center opened its doors in December, 2002.

Trisha and her staff strive to provide the best therapy services to enable each person return to a quality, active and healthy life style. She realizes there is always more to learn and frequently attends continuing education classes in manual therapy techniques, the treatment of women's health issues and Pilates exercise. After completing an 8 month training regimen, she became a Certified Pilates Instructor (CPI) in January 2007, specializing in Pilates for Rehabilitation. This form of exercise has been so beneficial for each patient's rehabilitation process.

With the variety of seminars she has attended over the years, Trisha has come to realize one must treat the whole body and attempt to find the cause of the problem not simply treat the area of pain. The pain is the symptom, but the cause often lies elsewhere. Each person's response to treatment and progression through the rehabilitation process is different and that's why she loves being a therapist... It is challenging and very rewarding.

Trisha and her family moved to Paradise when she was 10 years old and she began her competitive athletic career. As a Bobcat Alumni, she was inducted into the Paradise High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007. She tries to maintain a certain level of fitness and health by participating in many activities including working out, bike riding, camping, boating and travel (when she can!). She loves animals and feels very fortunate to be able to bring her dog Molly, clinic mascot, to work every day!

Read about Trish's continuing education.

Kathleen Pappani, PTA, CMT

Ever interested in how physical health compliments all other realms of wellness, Kathleen Pappani, PTA, received a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Health Education from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo 1991. In 1995 she became a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) and in 1999 she earned her certification as a Massage Therapist (CMT).

Kathleen has thoroughly enjoyed working in the variety of settings physical therapy has to offer, but she was most professionally inspired when she began attending Myofascial Release (MFR) seminars in 2007, taught by John F. Barnes, PT. She joined the Ridge team in August, 2007 and is thrilled to be part of this gifted team of therapists and staff.

Kathleen and is looking forward to continuing the educational process in the pursuit of giving the best hands-on, individualized treatment each person deserves in their own personal pursuit of health and wellness.

At home Kathleen spends her time herding cats, dogs and kids and takes every opportunity to get outdoors to run on dirt trails or float down streams.

Read about Kathleen's continuing education.

Lisa Flores, CPI

Lisa has been a Paradise resident since 2005. She grew up in the Santa Cruz Mountains in California and began studying ballet in 1972 in San Jose with Gloria Vauges-Mohr of the New York City Ballet. Lisa's studies continued at the Cornish Institute of Fine Arts in Seattle, Washington and she performed and taught Ballet and Modern Dance for the next 30 years. She also helped form and co-direct a non-profit dance company in the Pacific Northwest.

Driven by the desire to prolong her movement career, Lisa started studying Pilates and Yoga to balance the sometimes grueling life of a dancer. Falling in love with both disciplines, she decided to pursue them and become certified to teach both.

In 2003, Lisa achieved her vision and became a Certified Pilates Instructor (CPI) through the ITT Institute of San Francisco, led by renowned teacher Madeline Black. Additionally in 2006 she became certified to teach Yoga through the White Lotus Institute of Santa Barbara.

Lisa's greatest joy is helping people find a connection to their bodies and realizing the miracle of movement, whether it be dancing, or simply bending over put on a shoe, or lifting a shovel!

For many years she accompanied her father, Tony Flores, a talented Sicilian born mandolin player. She has a son, Bo, who lives in San Diego and is also a fine musician. In her "spare time", Lisa nourishes her flower and vegetable gardens.

Sheila McDonald, Office Manager

To her pleasure, Sheila has been involved with Ridge Physical Therapy & Wellness Center since its inception, December 9, 2002. She has an extensive background in business and has spent most of her career involved with the inner workings of business and its many faceted activities.

When Trish said, "Mom, I need your help," it was natural for Sheila to come aboard as Office Manager. Sheila certainly wasn't prepared for the diversity of jobs for which she is responsible. But, it has allowed her to put on her thinking cap and work things through and achieve the final outcomes. Sometimes things take longer than she'd like but Rome wasn't built in a day.

To Sheila, one of the greatest benefits of being at Ridge Physical Therapy & Wellness Center daily is working with the talented and knowledgeable staff. They are all brilliant and collectively have many, many years of experience and expertise in the therapy field.

Sheila especially enjoys talking with the patients and their family members and hearing about their interests and activities. What's most exciting is seeing each person improve as they heal and become active in their day to day living. This is the greatest gift that can be given...and is done here on a daily basis. Sheila is grateful to be part of this growing, prosperous and successful Wellness Center.

Sheila has lived in Paradise since 1975. She has 3 daughters and is a huge NASCAR fan. Jimmy Johnson is her favorite driver. Sheila and her husband have been attending the race in Las Vegas every March for years.

Molly

Molly, a Yorkshire terrier, has been our Clinic Mascot since May, 2003. She enjoys being a part of the goings on at the clinic, greeting each person as they come through the door. She often has a calming effect on our patients and has frequently been called a "healing assistant". Molly's Favorite Person is our mailman, Floyd; she eagerly awaits his arrival each day (and the daily cookie he brings).