Jackie Smelser | Owner, PT
Jackie Smelser LOVES working as a Physical Therapist. She received her Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy from California State University, Sacramento and her Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology from California State University Polytechnic, San Luis Obispo.
Jackie’s father owned a fitness and athletic training center in Santa Cruz, California. This is where her love for health, fitness, biomechanics and orthopedics started. She was a personal trainer through college and found her passion to be working with people who were struggling with injuries.
After attending Physical Therapy school Jackie was lucky enough to receive extensive training through the North American Institute of Manual Therapy and hone her skills in manual therapy. She became proficient at treating a wide variety of orthopedic injuries, a true passion of hers.
Then the opportunity presented itself for Jackie to go through Pelvic Health PT training. This training elicited many “aha” moments for Jackie and she has since become extensively trained in pelvic health physical therapy and is proficient at treating a wide variety of pelvic health ailments. The ability to work on the pelvis from the inside out has allowed Jackie to have much success in treating spine, pelvic, hip and lower extremity dysfunctions with increased specificity and efficiency.
Jackie wanted to create an environment where all people feel comfortable and safe attending Physical Therapy for a wide variety of ailments. She opened Sunrise Physio in Northwest Crossing with a goal of providing excellent care for all humans in the areas of orthopedics and pelvic health physiotherapy. Opening Sunrise Physio has been one of the most fun, inspiring and rewarding experiences of her life and she is extremely honored and humbled to work with both her Sunrise Physio team and her patients every day.
Nicole Bisson | PT, DPT
Nicole is a highly skilled and compassionate physical therapist with a commitment to optimizing the health and well-being of individuals. With a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from AT Still University, she focuses her practice in treating patients with orthopedic and pelvic health conditions.
She is committed to continuous learning and has pursued further education in post partum athleticism and return to sport, as well as visceral mobilization that helps address scar tissue and restrictions of the abdominal cavity from previous abdominal surgeries. She has a passion for orthopedics, and has expertise on assessment and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions, particularly those affecting hip, low back, shoulder and knees
Known for her empathetic and patient centered approach, Nicole takes time to listen to each patients unique needs/ concerns while developing personal treatment plans to help empower each individual to actively participate in their rehabilitation journey. She will employ a comprehensive treatment plan incorporating manual therapy, therapeutic exercise and patient education.
When not in the clinic she love most activities that involve the outdoors, taking road trips, spending time with friends and planning her next overseas adventure.
Jill Stephenson | PT, DPT
Jill received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Colorado – Denver and moved to Bend in 2020. Jill specializes in both orthopedic and pelvic floor therapy and enjoys a holistic treatment approach.
Jill appreciates treating patients across the life span with a focus on patient education and returning patients to what they love. Utilizing a manual based treatment approach, Jill is passionate about unwinding dysfunction to get to the root of the issue. Jill strives for a collaborative approach with each patient with the ultimate goal of independent self-management with a focus on functional exercise and movement patterns.
Jill utilizes her highly intuitive manual skills and orthopedic background alongside her Pelvic Floor training and is a certified Pregnancy and Post-partum Corrective Exercise Specialist. She is passionate about treating pelvic floor dysfunction, young athletes, patients with vestibular dysfunction, cervicogenic headaches, and orthopedic injuries.
Like most people in Central Oregon, Jill enjoys getting outside with her husband to connect with nature and relax. In her free time, Jill loves creating with her hands through sewing, knitting, and art of all kinds.
Emily Richart | PT, MPT
Emily is an experienced Physical Therapist who values an individual approach to person-centered care. She cares deeply about creating a safe and empowering place for you to build awareness of your body and reach your goals.
Emily received her Masters in Physical Therapy from Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, Scotland, where she had the opportunity to learn from and train with physical therapists from around the world. Since then, she has gained experience across the spectrum of PT, using her skills in pelvic health, orthopedic and neurological rehabilitation to take a holistic perspective to your treatment.
Emily is also a certified Pregnancy and Post-partum Corrective Exercise Specialist and has completed additional training in Oncology of the Pelvic Floor and Pilates-based rehabilitation to support her pelvic health clients. She values the vulnerability and courage it takes to start the journey of reconnecting with your body, and is dedicated to providing a collaborative environment for you to learn and build strength.
When not in the clinic, Emily enjoys being out in nature with her dog, traveling, connecting with new and old friends, and writing poetry/short fiction. She is thrilled and honored to partner with you on your wellness journey.
Hannah Mattson | PT, DPT
Hannah received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Regis University in Denver, Colorado with American Academy of Academic Physical Therapy Honors. After adventuring in Colorado, Hannah is excited to be in Bend, Oregon where her family now resides.
Growing up in Alaska, Hannah spent her time with family exploring the rugged outdoors and hiding from the cold by playing a variety of indoor sports, which ultimately influenced her to become the “movement geek” she is today. Within the world of orthopedics, Hannah is there to assist her patients by encouraging them to return to the activities that bring them joy. Hannah also specializes in pelvic health rehabilitation for all genders and is passionate about creating a safe space to address concerns that are often heavily stigmatized in our culture.
As a physical therapist, Hannah strives to focus on individual empowerment. She does so by acting as a guide for her patients’ recovery through a blend of manual therapy, movement prescription, and education. She seeks to provide compassionate care for the whole person by considering all aspects of the individual - their goals, their needs, and their values.
Hannah’s ultimate goal in healthcare is to improve access to equitable care for marginalized groups, advocate for nationwide direct access, and participate in conversations surrounding medical bias and stigma – specifically size based stigma.
Outside of work, Hannah does not sit still often - unless she is with a good book, a cup of coffee, or a good friend. She enjoys spending her time doing the typical Bend activities, specifically the ones that remind her she can do hard things. Honorable mentions are - river surfing, skiing, and mountain biking.