Meet the ASPIRE Team
AARON MCGUINNESS, PT, DPT, OCS, OWNER
LOCATION: FOOTHILL
HOURS: M/W/F 7:00AM-6:00PM
Born and raised in Glendale, Aaron McGuinness is the founder and owner of Aspire Physical Therapy & Sports Performance. He specializes in orthopedic and sports physical therapy. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Gonzaga University, where he was a 4-year starting shortstop on the Bulldog baseball team. He completed his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Southern California in 2011 and was accepted into the university’s residency program, where he completed his Orthopedic Certified Specialist in 2011.
Aaron worked closely with many sports physicians, including a Dodger physician, Dr. John Itamura, the USC sports physician Dr. George Hatch, and the Lakers physician Dr. Dan Kharrazi with Kerlan and Jobe Orthopedics. Aaron works with a wide array of athletes, from adolescent to professional, by developing sport specific exercises, injury prevention programs, post-operative protocols, and strengthening programs to return to the prior level of function.
Aaron’s Vision: “I want to help athletes of all ages perform at the peak level with strength and body mechanics that will promote the athletes maximum ability while preventing injury. Many athletes are unaware of their faulty movement patterns and risk for injury until it is too late, and that’s where we can help. With proper training, treatment, and motivation the athlete can get the most out of themselves. And remember, we are all athletes in our own way, so this approach is appropriate for all patient types.”
Certifications:
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
Orthopedic Certified Specialist (OCS)
CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer
Hawk Grips Technique for Manual Therapy
KEVIN YU PT, DPT, OCS
LOCATION: SAN FERNANDO RD/GLENDALE
HOURS: M/T/TH 7AM-6PM, W/F 7AM-12PM
Kevin Yu received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychobiology from the University of California, Los Angeles. He graduated from the University of Southern California with his Doctorate in Physical Therapy, and then completed USC’s Orthopedic Residency program to specialize in orthopedic injuries.
Kevin grew up in the Los Angeles area, playing various sports, such as basketball, football, and a more recent interest in the game of golf. This passion for sports and exercise led him to pursue further education as a certified strength and conditioning specialist, to develop a better understanding of exercise principles to treat various patient populations.
Kevin has a passion for helping individuals understand how to optimize their health and physical ability, so that they return to their personal passions and joys in life. He uses current evidence-based research, his strength and conditioning background, and a whole-body perspective to guide his treatment practice and provide the best care possible for his patients.
In his personal time, Kevin enjoys playing golf and basketball, watching his Lakers win championships, and finding delicious restaurants and foods throughout the LA area.
Certifications:
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
Reid Gantney, PT, DPT, ATC, CSC
LOCATION: FOOTHILL
HOURS: M 8AM-6PM, T/T 7AM-6PM, W 12-6PM, F 7AM-12PM
Reid was born and raised in La Canada, and has been involved in youth sports in the area his whole life as a player, coach, and Athletic Trainer. While attending his undergraduate studies in Athletic Training at California State University Northridge (CSUN), Reid coached high school football and volleyball at La Canada High School and Saint Francis High School.
Reid started his professional career as the Head Athletic Trainer for John Burroughs High School in Burbank, where he worked for the better part of a decade to evaluate, rehabilitate, and prevent injuries to student athletes. During that time, Reid continued to pursue his education, completed his Masters Degree in Exercise Science, and became a certified strength and conditioning specialist.
He also became a part time faculty member at CSUN as a professor in the kinesiology department, sharing his passion with future athletic training students. Reid decided to further his clinical knowledge and returned to CSUN to complete his Doctorate in Physical Therapy. At CSUN, he developed a passion for working with a wide variety of patients beyond athletes. Reid is grateful to serve the community he calls home to his family.
Martha Goodwin, PT, DPT, OCS
LOCATION: OCEANVIEW
HOURS: M 12:30-6:30PM W 1PM-6:30PM
Martha received her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and Sports Studies at the University of Tampa with a minor in Chemistry.
While attending the University of Tampa, she was a member of the women’s soccer team, winning a NCAA National Championship. Martha initially became interested in physical therapy after multiple knee injuries and subsequent surgeries she underwent in high school and college.
Her desire to return to athletic competition following injury has led to her interest in treating individuals who wish to return to a previous level of function post injury, whether it is athletic competition or daily activities.
After graduating from the University of Southern California with her Doctorate in Physical Therapy, she participated in a rigorous post-doctorate residency program at USC to specialize in orthopedic injuries.
She is now a board certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist. In her free time, Martha enjoys hiking, running, baking bread, and the company of her family and friends!
Board certified Orthopedic clinical specialist
Certified PWR! Clinician: Parkinson’s Wellness Recovery
Daniel Fox, PT, DPT, SCS, ATC
LOCATION: OCEANVIEW
HOURS: M/W/F 9AM-6PM
Daniel Fox received his Bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training from the University of New Mexico. He graduated from the University of Southern California with his Doctorate in Physical Therapy, then completed USC’s Sports Residency program the following year. Through this rigorous curriculum, he learned to use evidence-based practice to help professional, college, and amateur athletes achieve their goals and prevent further injury.
Daniel grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and played every sport he could, including basketball, soccer, golf, tennis, and baseball. He developed an interest in sports medicine after suffering a torn ACL while playing basketball. He is still passionate about using his own experiences with a year-long recovery process to help athletes recover from their own ACL injuries.
When not in La Cañada, Daniel has had the opportunity to travel the world, providing medical care to Olympic-level swimmers. He works as the team physical therapist for the Toronto Titans, a professional swimming team in the International Swimming League (https://isl.global/). Daniel specializes in shoulder injuries in overhead athletes and enjoys using the lessons learned from treating Olympians to help every patient he sees.
Outside of the office, Daniel still enjoys playing basketball, golf, tennis, and spending time with his fiancé. Between swimming trips, they both return to the mountains of New Mexico to visit family and get lost hiking and snowboarding.
Certifications/Memberships:
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC)
USC Sports Physical Therapy Resident
American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
California Physical Therapy Association (CPTA
Naomi Shapira, PT, DPT, ATC
LOCATION: OCEANVIEW
HOURS: M-F 9AM-6PM
Originally born in Israel, Naomi moved with her family to Dallas, Texas at the age of 10. She began her pre-professional ballet training there and was invited to train at the School of American Ballet (SAB) in New York when she was 16.
After graduating from SAB, she joined Los Angeles Ballet and danced professionally with the company for 2 years, before changing career paths to pursue physical therapy.
She earned her Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from California State University, Northridge, and her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Columbia University. She is happy to be back in LA and excited to pursue her passion for treating dancers and general orthopaedic patients.
In her free time, Naomi still enjoys taking ballet classes. She also loves cooking and finding the best foodie spots around town.
Certifications/Memberships:
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC)
ARMAND SALAS, pt, dpt
LOCATION: SAN FERNANDO RD/GLENDALE
HOURS: M-TH 8AM-6PM, F 8AM-12PM
Armand Salas graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Psychology, and in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. He found his passion for physical therapy during his time with his grandmother or “abuela”, in which he witnessed how physical therapy could help those move in all facets of life. After being inspired to become a physical therapist, he graduated with his Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of California.
Armand grew up in the border town of El Paso, Texas, where Latino culture and “Spanglish” are common themes. His passion continues to stem from empathizing with his patients to meet them where they’re at, while combining his treatment with his love for movement analysis. He loves working with both inpatient and outpatient populations, where he treated various post-op patients, including those with Parkinson’s Disease and CVAs.
He earned his Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree from USC this past May, and will be working at our Los Angeles/Glendale location.
Outside of being a complete stud in the clinic, Armand enjoys weightlifting, hiking, practicing Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, and listening to EDM while Armand frequents various food stands around L.A. (As an El Paso, Texas native, Armand has enjoyed eating burritos his whole life to maintain his physique!) On the weekends, he enjoys practicing Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, and bike riding around L.A. Fun fact: Armand is full of love due to having had open heart surgery at 4-years old.
Certifications:
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
Robert Fundter, PT, DPT
LOCATION: LA CRESCENTA
HOURS: M-TH: 7AM-6PM
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
CPR Certification
adriana Ardila, PT, DPT
LOCATION: FOOTHILL
HOURS: M 1PM-6PM, T 8AM-6PM, W 7AM-6PM, TH 8AM-6PM, F 1PM-6PM
Adriana graduated from Columbia University with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy, and is currently a USC orthopedic resident, delving deeper into her orthopedic clinical experience and research.
She was born in Bogotá, Colombia, and raised in Miami, FL. Throughout her youth, she has studied all styles of dance, from classical to social and cultural. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts at Florida State University. Adriana has performed professionally with Princeton Ballet, and various dance festivals both nationally and internationally.
Through her experience teaching dance, she fostered her understanding of movement patterns and injury prevention. She prioritized learning and nurturing people’s needs to maximize movement efficiency, empowering clients to proactively prioritize their health.
Adriana is a lifelong student dedicated to traveling all over the world to teach, dance, perform, build community, and learn about different cultures.
Certifications:
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
MAGGIE YAMAMOTO, PT, DPT, NCS
LOCATION: FOOTHILL, OCEANVIEW
HOURS: M 10AM-2PM (Foothill), TH 10AM-2PM (Oceanview)
Maggie Yamamoto graduated from Gonzaga University with a degree in Human Physiology. She then earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Southern California (USC) and completed the USC/Rancho Los Amigos Neurologic Residency program shortly after.
She is a Board Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist in physical therapy. Before coming to Aspire Physical Therapy, she worked as a full-time clinical faculty at USC, gaining further experience working with individuals with chronic neurologic conditions. Some areas of expertise include neurodegenerative conditions, headaches/migraines, post-concussion/traumatic brain injury, stroke, AIDP/CIDP, and dizziness/vestibular disorders.
Maggie maintains her adjunct faculty position at USC and she continues to teach in the USC DPT Program. Maggie grew up in the Bay Area of Northern California and played many sports, including volleyball, swimming, and tennis. She was a swim coach for children ages 4-18 years old for 2 years, before embarking on her physical therapy journey.
She enjoys treating those with neurologic conditions and feels she can be a positive support and advocate for these individuals. Her goal is to help people maximize their ability to participate in their desired activities. In her free time, she enjoys being in the outdoors, hiking, swimming, backpacking, fly fishing, and skiing.
Certifications:
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
Board Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist (NCS)
Certificate in Pediatric Vestibular Rehabilitation, 2024
SHANT MINASSIAN, pt, dpt, ocs, CSCS, USAW-1
LOCATION: OCEANVIEW
HOURS: M-TH 8AM-6PM, F 8AM-12PM
Shant Minassian graduated from Cal State Northridge in 2018 with honors, earning his degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis on Exercise Science. In 2023, he received his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from USC and completed its Orthopedic Residency program in 2024. He has worked with various patient populations, from post-operative individuals to competitive athletes seeking a safe return to high-level play.
Shant has always been fascinated with how movement and exercise can promote healing, not only in the physical realm but also in enhancing mental and emotional well-being. He appreciates the human body and how interconnected each part is to create movement, and enjoys helping others feel and move better. This began before starting his DPT education, where he spent time working as a personal trainer and group exercise class coach.
He has also competed in and coached an Olympic Weightlifting team, taking part in local and semi-national meets. When he’s not in the clinic, he likes to stay active by training in Muay Thai, lifting weights, practicing photography, and relaxing at home, just watching cartoons.
Certifications:
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS)
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
United States American Weightlifting Level 1 Coach (USAW-1)
JAZEL CERVANTES CAMACHO, PT, DPT
LOCATION: LA CRESCENTA
HOURS: M-TH 7AM-6PM
Born and raised in Glendale, Jazel participated in dance, basketball, and softball from childhood until early adolescence. She graduated from the University of California, Riverside with a degree in Psychology. She went on to earn her Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree from the University of Southern California in 2024.
While completing the physical therapy program, she worked in various settings with a diverse patient population, from post-operative joint replacements to patients with neurological conditions and general orthopedic injuries.
Jazel enjoys the collaboration that comes with being a PT; this helps foster the most appropriate treatment plan to help patients reach their maximum level of functional mobility. She strives to give her patients the education and tools they need to be successful in their PT journey, which allows them to return to doing what they love.
During her free time, Jazel enjoys spending time with her family, cycling on her Peloton Bike, hiking, attending concerts, and most importantly rooting for the Dodgers… GO BLUE!
Certifications:
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
Jessica Ricafort – PT, DPT
LOCATION: OCEANVIEW
HOURS: M 8 AM – 12 PM T/W/TH/F 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Jessica earned her BA in Psychology from California State University, Sacramento and then went on to participate in a rigorous surgical internship as a pre-medical student at the University of California Davis Medical Center where her fascination for the human body grew. At UC Davis she utilized her passion for teaching as a student instructor for Introductory Psychology and a mentor for freshmen in addition to serving as a teaching assistant for various professors during her sophomore and junior years. She was also an active member of two honor societies, Psi Chi and Delta Epsilon Iota.
During her volunteer experience, Jessica learned that she did not want to pursue medical school. However, she had a deep knowledge that she wanted to work in the healthcare industry in some capacity.
So In 2014, Jessica moved to San Francisco to become a fitness trainer. During this time, she grew her own personal training business and worked for various gyms. While helping others look their best, Jessica realized that she wanted to become a movement expert and guide people to improve their quality of life. Jessica soon became a rehabilitation aide at Select Physical Therapy, where she confirmed her life’s calling to become a physical therapist. She went on to earn her doctorate in physical therapy from the University of Southern California.
Jessica is a black belt in Taekwondo and is currently exploring other forms of martial arts. She loves to lift weights and participate in races. She completed the Spartan race trifecta last year. She enjoys dancing, cooking, indoor bouldering, snowboarding, reading, and spending time with her husband and labrador Retriever/Pitbull mix (Falcon). She is now in the middle of publishing a children’s storybook.
Known for her holistic therapy approach, Jessica draws on her 8 years of experience in exercise prescription to design creative programs that integrate each patient’s lifestyle and passions with evidence-based practices, delivering personalized and effective treatment plans.
Certifications:
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
ALEX ALVARADO, PT, DPT
LOCATION: OCEANVIEW
HOURS: M/T/TH/F 7AM – 6PM W/F 7AM – 12PM
Alex Alvarado received his Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Pre-Physical Therapy from San Diego State University. While in San Diego, he worked as a physical therapy aide, gaining experience working with patients and understanding how Physical Therapy can truly help people. He then attended the Western University of Health Sciences to earn a Doctorate in Physical Therapy, where he emphasized therapeutic exercise and manual therapy treatment plans.
Alex is passionate about educating patients on Physical Therapy and how PT can empower individuals to recover from their injuries. At the start of his career, Alex worked with an orthopedic surgeon, where he learned to manage the rehabilitation of post-operative patients.
His cases focused on the shoulders, knees, and spine, ranging from rotator cuff repairs to labral repairs, ACL reconstructions, meniscus repairs, and spinal fusions. He continues to challenge himself by learning the most recent evidence-based practices and implementing them into treatment plans.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Alex is a passionate fan of LA-based sports teams, including the Dodgers, Lakers, Rams, and Kings. His sports background includes playing baseball, soccer, and football, as well as coaching young athletes. In his free time, he loves swimming, hiking, and spending quality time with his family.
Certifications:
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
JERICK NOMURA, pt, dpt
LOCATION: OCEANVIEW
HOURS: Tues/Wed/Th/ Friday 7AM-6PM
Born and raised in Hawaii, Jerick grew up playing baseball year-round and staying active outdoors. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from Whitman College in 2021, where he played outfield for the Blues for four years.
After graduation, he spent a gap year working as a physical therapy aide in Hawaii, where he came to appreciate the value of physical therapy and grew his passion for helping others heal through movement. He went on to earn his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Southern California in 2025.
During PT school, Jerick gained experience in a wide range of clinical settings—from working on a hospital’s cardiopulmonary floor to treating professional baseball players during spring training. These experiences helped shape his approach to care: crafting personalized, evidence-based treatment plans that empower patients to return to the activities that matter most.
In his free time, Jerick enjoys fishing, golfing, playing pickleball, and supporting his favorite baseball team, the San Francisco Giants!
Certifications:
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
Patty Burson, PT, DPT
LOCATION: FOOTHILL
HOURS: Mon/Tues/Wed/Th/ 7AM-4PM
In the clinic, Patty brings a thoughtful, individualized approach to patient care, blending evidence-based practice with a deep commitment to education, empowerment, and movement optimization. She is especially passionate about helping people return to the activities they love with confidence and resilience. Outside of the clinic, she enjoys working out, going for walks, and spending time at the beach whenever she can—even if it’s a bit more of a drive now that she lives in Pasadena. She loves spending time with friends and family and cherishes quality time with “her people”.
Certifications:
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
Agnes Megerdichian OTR/L
LOCATION: LA CRESCENTA
HOURS: F 8AM-1PM
Agnes Megerdichian, OTR/L, is an occupational therapist specializing in hand and upper extremity rehabilitation. She earned her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in San Marcos and provides confident, evidence-based care for a variety of conditions, including injuries, post-surgical recovery, and chronic disorders affecting function. Agnes is dedicated to restoring mobility, alleviating pain, and enabling patients to return to meaningful activities through personalized treatment plans.
Outside of her professional role, Agnes enjoys spending time with her family, exploring new cuisines as an avid foodie, reading, playing soccer, spending time outdoors, and relaxing with her dog, Albi, who is her favorite couch companion. Her balanced lifestyle and dedication to personal well-being reflect the same focus and care she brings to her patients.
Certifications:
Master of Occupational Therapy
COURTNEY RUSSELL, Patient Care Coordinator
LOCATION: FOOTHILL
HOURS: WEEKDAYS 9AM-5PM
EMILY WONDERLING, Patient Care Coordinator
LOCATION: LA CRESCENTA
HOURS: WEEKDAYS 9AM-5PM
Jacqueline Ramirez, Patient Care Coordinator
LOCATION: OCEANVIEW
HOURS: WEEKDAYS 9AM-5PM
