Juliana Ament PT, DPT, MOMT, OCS
Julie Ament is the owner of the clinic, and has been practicing physical therapy in North Pole since 1995. She earned her Master of Science Degree in Physical Therapy from Arcadia University in Philadelphia in 1990. She completed her Doctor of Physical Therapy with Regis University in 2012. Additionally she earned an Advanced Masters in Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy from the Ola Grimsby Institute in 1999 and completed Residency and Fellowship training in Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy. Julie is Board Certified as an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist in Physical Therapy by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties, and is certified in Dry Needling.
In her spare time Julie likes to garden, fish, camp, bike, ski and enjoy the Alaskan outdoors. She is a supporter of Nanook Sports, and is a fan of the Seattle Seahawks, the North Pole Patriots, and the Eielson Ravens.
Peter Bryant, PT, DPT
Peter Bryant graduated from Husson University located in Bangor, ME, in 2018 with a Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree. He followed his traveling dream to Interior, AK to practice Physical Therapy where both his grandfather and father loved. Peter has been working at North Pole PT since graduation and enjoys the opportunity to work in orthopedics. He has an interest in manual therapy as well as vestibular rehabilitation. He aims to receive his manual therapy certification in the future.
In his free time, he is excited to explore the Alaskan outdoors and culture with Auri, his Siberian husky. He enjoys downhill skiing, hiking, snow machining, swimming, and skijoring.
Melissa Bunselmeier, DPT
Melissa Bunselmeier graduated in 2014 from the University of Montana in Missoula Montana with a Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree. She spent her first 4 years as a physical therapist in Barrow, Alaska where she gained experience in a number of orthopedic, neuromuscular, and chronic pain conditions. She enjoys the opportunities at North Pole PT to work with sport specific rehabilitation while continuing to work with chronic pain and chronic disease patients.
Melissa grew up in Delta Junction and her love for interior Alaska and all it has to offer brought her to North Pole. She loves the outdoors and looks forward to sharing many experiences of fishing, camping, hiking, and hunting with her young daughter.
Laura Fields, DPT
Laura Fields has been working as a fill in therapist for the North Pole physical therapy since she retired from the Air Force, offering over 20 years of experience with orthopedic injuries and sports injury recovery. She also works with sports teams in our community, preventing injury and keeping athletes in the game. Laura served over 20 years as an officer in the US Air Force, practicing physical therapy and deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan to keep our troops on Mission and fit to fight. Laura also works with the US Olympic Committee, on call for sports medicine coverage at Olympic Training Centers and competitions.
When she is not in the clinic or on a Sports side-line, she is traveling the world – skiing, sailing, canoeing, biking, canyoning, kayaking… Anything outdoors!
Natalie Leffingwell, PT, DPT
Natalie Leffingwell graduated from Mount Saint Joseph University in Cincinnati, OH in 2015 with a Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree. She has been practicing in Cincinnati since graduation and joined North Pole Physical Therapy in March of 2017. Natalie wanted an opportunity to further her physical therapy career and have plenty of outdoor adventures, which is what lead her to the Fairbanks and North Pole areas. She has a passion for continuing education in manual therapy, fall prevention, and working with the geriatric population. Natalie’s interests include hiking, skiing, spending time with family and friends, and animal rescue.
Jim Pasek, PT, MPT
Jim Pasek is a 1998 graduate of the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota. He has worked in Fairbanks as an out-patient orthopedic and chronic pain physical therapist since 1999. Jim has received his manual therapy certifications with IAOM- US. Jim specializes in disorders of the cervical and lumbar spine. He is also interested in injury prevention in sport and recreational athletes.
Jim’s interests outside the clinic include biathlon, downhill skiing, snow machining, biking, hunting, camping, photography, and working on his old car.
George Salmon, PT, MPT
George Salmon is a frequent physical therapist provider with North Pole Physical Therapy doing both part-time hours and fill in practice. George is a long time Fairbanks man attending UAF for Physical Education and working locally as a personal trainer. He attended Physical Therapy school at Northern Arizona University and returned to Fairbanks to be an active member of the skijor community. George has done advanced training and Residency with the Ola Grimsby Institute in Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy in addition to his regular mindful choices of continued education in physical therapy. George and his wife Cindy Salmon, registered dietician, also own and operate Jammin’ Salmon’s Physical and Nutritional Therapy in Fairbanks.
Staff
Tara Harrell
Tara moved to North Pole, Alaska in 1988 when her father was transferred here by the Air Force. Tara finished out her school years at North Pole High School. After being a stay at home mom, and the kids went off to school, she attended UAF and became a Certified Medical Assistant. Tara spent 10 years in the Orthopedic field as a CMA before joining the administrative staff at North Pole PT. She loves spending time with her 3 children, husband, two cats and one playful dog. Tara likes traveling, camping and fishing. Her favorite place is the cabin her husband built in the White Mountains where she does a lot of reading and enjoying the peace of the remote area.
Brenda Karella
Brenda Karella was born and raised in North Carolina but Alaska has been home most of her life. She has worked in administration for more than 20 years with 12 years as an office manager for a pediatric therapy facility. She lives in North Pole and joined North Pole Physical Therapy as our Office Manager in the summer of 2017. She loves the outdoors, traveling, and most of all, family.
Pamela Leist
Born in California but raised for most of my life in Fairbanks, AK. Attended college in Springfield, MO and the Univ of AK Fairbanks. Started with NPPT in March, 2016, after moving to NP the previous December. Most of my career has been with the Univ of AK Fairbanks in Student Services, both locally and with the campuses in Kotzebue, Bristol Bay, Nome, Bethel and Interior Alaska. Hobbies include, catering, piano (keyboard), sewing, but most of all spending time with my daughters and their families!
Angela Skellie
Angela Skellie joined our office in 2014. She is originally from Upstate New York but has allowed the Army to determine her place of residence for the better part of twenty years. Angela and her family first moved to Alaska in 1998. She was smitten upon arrival and spent from 2001-2010 trying to convince Uncle Sam to allow her family to return. Now that they’re here, they plan to never leave. One of the things Angela enjoys the most about working in our office is meeting the patients. The community of North Pole is small, so it’s nice to see familiar faces around town. When Angela isn’t sitting at the receptionist’s desk, she enjoys spending time with her husband and five kids, raising a few farm animals, and exploring the Last Frontier.
Betty Vinson
Betty Vinson, one of our Southern Belles, is a receptionist in our office. She has more than 25 years of administrative and professional office experience. Originally from Tennessee, she has fallen in love with Alaska. Her faith and life experiences have made her optimistic, giving her a sense of humor and eagerness to laugh. A few of her favorite past times are family, the outdoors, and enjoying God’s handiwork.
North Pole Physical Therapy