Meet Our Staff

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Patti Sogaard, M.P.T.
Director

Patti graduated in 1996 with a Masters degree in physical therapy from the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, in Pomona, CA. She also earned a business degree from Loyola Marymount University. Before opening Advanced Orthopedic Physical Therapy (AOPT), she practiced Physical Therapy in the Los Angeles area for seven years including three years at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles, CA. Her continuing education credits include a Kaiser Residency program and several manual mobilization courses.

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Solomon Joseph, M.P.T

Solomon Graduated with a Masters degree in physical therapy from Loma Linda University in 1993. He earned a Masters degree in Chemistry from the University of California, Irvine in 1990 and has worked in the Long Beach area since 1993, including five years as a large outpatient facility Clinical Director. Solomon developed and is the director of our aquatic therapy program.

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Rusaly Mohammad, PTA/ATC

Rusaly graduated from California State University, Long Beach with a B.S. in Kinesiology in 2003. He passed his National Board Examination as an Athletic Trainer in 2004. In 2006, he graduated from Cerritos College and obtained his Physical Therapy Assistance License. Rusaly has been employed with us since 2003, but now works as a PTA / ATC. He also works in neurological settings helping acute and chronic patients with conditions such as strokes and brain traumas.

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Karsti Schelin, M.P.T.

Karsti Schelin is a pediatric physical therapist with over 10 years of clinical experience. She graduated summa cum laude with her masters in Physical Therapy in 2000. She earned her degree from Northern Arizona University where she received an award for Outstanding Graduating Scholar. Karsti has now opened Koastal Kids Pediatric Therapy in partnership with the therapists of Advanced Orthopedic Physical Therapy. Karsti specializes in the treatment of children with prematurity, developmental delay, hyopotonia, torticollis, sensory integration dysfunction, ASD, genetic and neurologic disorders.

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Karen Deal, OTR/L

Karen is Graduate of Loma Linda University and has been an Occupational Therapist since 1983. She has extensive experience in fabricating dynamic and static splints for multiple diagnoses. Karen joined AOPT in May, 2008. She achieved her Advanced Practice Certifications in Hand Therapy and in Physical Agents and Modalities in 2004. She also completed certification in Neurodevelopmental Techniques (Bobath) in 1989. She is currently studying to become a Certified Hand Therapist.

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Kim Sila
Office Manager, Billing and Claims Specialist

Kim has been with AOPT since 2002, managing the front desk. She has over 15 years of medical front office experience and is extremely proficient in handling all insurance and billing questions. She also coordinates scheduling and attains insurance authorizations for workers compensation cases.