top of page
Staff Photo Professional 2.jpg

Meet the Team

At Physical Therapyworks, we combine science

with grit and compassion

Our methods are rooted in evidence-based practice: 

research, collaborative clinical experience and patient preference 

 

We are passionately committed to a holistic, effective

and sustainable approach to recovery and overall health

John Headshot 1.jpg

John Dravillas, PT, OCS, MTC, CCI is the founder and director of Physical Therapyworks and our Post-Professional Orthopedic Residency Program.

It was John’s lifelong dream to open a physical therapy clinic that provided exceptional, personalized care, with highly-skilled physical therapists. So he started Physical Therapyworks over twenty five years ago, where we combine a strong scientific background, evidence-based practice and a compassionate, progressive approach that brings patients the most advanced, reliable and effective evaluations and treatments available.

John received his physical therapy education at Washington University, which is consistently ranked among the top physical therapy programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, and was the pioneer in movement-focused physical therapy education, research and treatment. He is a Certified Manual Therapist and a Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist.

During John's professional education, he had the opportunity to shadow renowned orthopedist, John Itamura, M.D. for over seven years to further his clinical understanding and skills in regard to shoulder and elbow dysfunction. John has been a mentor at the renowned USC Post Professional Orthopedic Residency Program for over 10 years, and was recently nominated for the Henry O. and Florence P. Kendall Practice Award.

 

Click here to view John's Curriculum Vitae 

DSC09915.jpg
DSC09919.jpg

Justin Tong, PT, DPT is a staff Physical Therapist at Physical Therapyworks

Justin Tong graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from San Francisco State University and continued his education at USC completing his Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree in 2021. He has also completed the USC Post-Doctoral Residency Program. While completing his education, he worked with a variety of patients in the clinical setting ranging from post-operative patients to competitive swimmers, cyclists, volleyball players, and weekend warriors. He also spent time working with special needs children with the Southern California Special Olympics and Gabriel House of Mexico.

 

Prior to starting the DPT program at USC, Justin worked in the fitness industry for 18 years as a personal trainer and spin instructor. During that time, he specialized in corrective exercise and performance enhancement training and worked with clients to not only reach their fitness goals but to improve function and strength. He is an avid cyclist and has participated in cycling events like AIDS/Lifecycle for numerous years. He also enjoys swimming, playing volleyball, hiking, and weight training.

DSC09919.jpg
IMG_2672.jpg

Joe Abdulmasih, PT, DPT is a staff Physical Therapy Resident at Physical Therapyworks

Joe Abdulmasih graduated from Chico State in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Physiology. He continued his education at USC, receiving his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2022. As a DPT student, he was inducted into the ACAPT National Physical Therapy Student Honor Society and awarded the Order of the Golden Cane. He is a Physical Therapist participating in the USC Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency Program.

 

While completing his education, he worked with an array of patients ranging from chronic pain patients to professional athletes looking to return to sport. He was also heavily involved in research working in the Neuroplasticity and Imaging Laboratory (NAIL) at USC and collecting data for baseball research studies for the Clinical Biomechanics Orthopedic and Sports Outcomes Research (COOR) laboratory. As a Physical Therapist, Joe strives to provide patient-centered care and use the best available research to deliver the best outcomes to his patients. Outside of clinical practice, he enjoys shooting hoops, playing board games, and has recently picked up surfing and rock climbing.

Maya Zelcer Headshot-3_edited.jpg

Maya Zelcer, BS, PTA is a staff Physical Therapist Assistant at Physical Therapyworks

Maya graduated from UC Santa Cruz in 2014 with a bachelor’s of science degree in M.C.D Biology. While there, she was the captain of the water polo team and after recovering from her own injuries, she fell in love with Physical Therapy. She first officially entered the PT world as an aide and worked for 3 years in an aquatic physical therapy clinic. The covid-19 pandemic encouraged Maya to go back to school so she could make a more meaningful impact on the individuals she treats. She graduated from CBD College with academic honors in 2022 and received her licensure as a Physical Therapist Assistant. She also became the first Student PTA chair for the CA Student Special Interest Group, working alongside the CPTA to advocate for the PT profession. Maya has worked with a variety of different patient populations ranging from those with orthopedic to neurologic conditions. She is so excited to be part of the Physical Therapyworks Team and can't wait to help individuals reach their recovery goals.

 

In her free time, Maya loves hiking, swimming and finding the best coffee and pastry spots in town.

Doc - May 25 2022 - 6-55 PM.jpg

Scarlett Celis- Luna, BS, PTA is a staff Physical Therapist Assistant at Physical Therapyworks

Scarlett Celis-Luna obtained her Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology from California State University, Fullerton in 2014. She then worked as a P.T. Aide in an outpatient facility from 2014-2020. In 2020, she received an A.S. degree from the Physical Therapist Assistant Program in Cerritos College and obtained her P.T.A. license.

 

Scarlett has experience in working with various types of patients (including post-op orthopedic, neurological, amputees, and SCI’s) and in different therapeutic settings (including aquatic, in-patient, out-patient, and cardiac rehabilitation).

Scarlett strives to be a caring and compassionate clinician that is eager to use her specialized skills to provide quality care. Her love for rehabilitation comes from her own ACL injury in 2009 which ended her running career in college. Her hope is to make a positive impact to those in rehabilitation through her gained knowledge and support alongside PT’s. In her free time Scarlett enjoys hiking with her dogs, spending time with family, and trying new brunch restaurants with friends.

DSC09944.jpg

Brit Hirsch, BA, ACE CPT, NASM CES, RYT-200, Personal Trainer, Yoga Instructor, & Physical Therapy Aide

Brit is an energetic personal trainer with a bachelor of arts degree from UC Berkeley, a Personal Training Certification from the American Council on Exercise, a Corrective Exercise Certification from NASM, a Yoga Teacher certification from Yogaworks, and she is certified in the Barbell Rehab Method.

Driven by her passion for wellness for each unique individual, Brit carefully personalizes every program for her clients to build strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination. Many of her clients came to her while nursing an injury back to health. She works closely with their physical therapists in order to carefully create a safe and effective program for each of her clients that suits their particular needs and unique goals. Brit works with clients between the ages of  13-82 years old. Whether your goal is to build strength, increase mobility, improve balance, address muscle imbalances, refine mindfulness, or just generally feel more comfortable in your body, Brit can help you reach your goal.

Brit’s favorite physical activities include powerlifting, strength training, and yoga.

EMAIL: BRIT@PHYSICALTHERAPYWORKS.COM

Brit Hirsch Anchor
DSC09914.jpg
Luck Ong is the Office Administrator at Physical Therapyworks

Luck Ong is the Office Administrator at Physical Therapyworks and will always welcome and greet you with a smile.  She genuinely loves to make  everyone whom she meets feel right at home and valued.  It is in her DNA to go out of her way to be helpful and accommodating towards all. 

 

Luck is a native Southern Californian, a longtime resident of beautiful Santa Monica, and she cannot imagine living anywhere else. She is a proud graduate from UCLA with a Bachelors of Arts degree.  After college, Luck went on to have successful and lengthy careers in the banking, airline, and automotive industries prior to entering healthcare.  She has been happily helping patients for over 25 years and counting. Throughout her entire career, Luck has always held positions where excellent customer service is a must and a top priority.  She truly enjoys greeting, assisting and making everyone feel relevant and cared about.  When not hard at work, Luck can be found at the theater taking in the latest movie, cheering on her beloved Dodgers, rooting for her favorite football teams, dining at her favorite eating spots, and relaxing at the beach.    

EMAIL: INFO@PHYSICALTHERAPYWORKS.COM

bottom of page