top of page

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 Dravillas
John Headshot 1.jpg

John Dravillas

PT, OCS, MTC, CCI

Founder and director of Physical Therapyworks, PTWorks+, 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 nearly thirty 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 Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist, a Certified Manual Therapist, and a Certified DNS Exercise Trainer.

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 20 years, and was recently nominated for the Henry O. and Florence P. Kendall Practice Award.

 

Click here to view John's Post Graduate Education List 

PXL_20250502_185715024.jpg

Michelle Bukhman

PT, DPT

Staff Physical Therapist

Michelle earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Azusa Pacific University in 2024, after completing her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology at California State University Northridge (CSUN) in 2021.

 

Her interest in physical therapy began when she saw how much it helped her grandmother—giving her the tools for mobility and independence. Inspired by that experience, Michelle hopes to create the same kind of positive impact in her patients' lives that her grandmother’s therapist made in hers.

 

As a DPT student, Michelle and her colleagues published a study on children and adolescents with cerebral palsy. She has worked with a wide range of patients, from post-surgical cases and stroke survivors to marathon runners returning to sport.

 

Michelle strives to provide patient-centered care and uses the best available research to support her patients in achieving their goals.

 

In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, baking, and exploring the city.

PXL_20260905_001349480.jpg

Grace King

SPT

USC Physical Therapy Student

 

Grace earned her B.S. in Kinesiology from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 2023 and is currently completing her final year of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the University of Southern California.

 

As a former NCAA Division I indoor volleyball athlete, Grace experienced firsthand the importance of injury rehabilitation, prevention, and maintaining a healthy, resilient body. Her passion for physical therapy grew while working as a Physical Therapy Aide during college, where she discovered how rewarding it is to support patients throughout their recovery, build meaningful relationships, and celebrate their progress.

 

During physical therapy school, Grace has gained experience in both outpatient and inpatient settings, including exposure to pelvic floor physical therapy. She enjoys working with patients across the lifespan and is passionate about helping each person return to the activities that are most meaningful to them.

 

Outside the clinic, Grace enjoys playing beach volleyball, cooking new recipes, doing puzzles, and spending time with friends!

PXL_20260905_001230536.jpg

Jenelle Jaramillo

SPT

USC Physical Therapy Student

 

Jenelle earned her Bachelor of Science in Physiological Science from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 2023. She is currently a third-year Doctor of Physical Therapy student at the University of Southern California (USC).

 

Jenelle’s interest in physical therapy began in high school, where she worked as a student athletic trainer. Her passion for the profession grew as she applied what she learned to help care for her grandparents. She later worked as a physical therapy aide at Ho Physical Therapy in Beverly Hills, where she developed a strong interest in treating older adults and individuals with temporomandibular disorders (TMD).

 

Through her clinical education, Jenelle has gained experience in outpatient and inpatient orthopedic settings with patients across the lifespan. She believes effective physical therapy combines movement analysis, evidence-based practice, and a strong therapeutic relationship. She is committed to lifelong learning so she can continually provide high-quality, individualized care.

 

After earning her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, Jenelle hopes to specialize in treating older adults and individuals with TMD. Outside the clinic, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, practicing Pilates, and reading.

PXL_20260708_021508693.jpg

Brit Hirsch

PTA, BA, RYT-200

Physical Therapist Assistant, Clinic Linchpin

Brit earned her PTA license in 2025. She previously received her B.A. in Sociology from UC Berkeley in 2013, but after spending a few years behind a desk she realized she missed being active and working directly with people. In 2018, she made a career change and became a PT aide at Physical Therapyworks, as well as a personal trainer, and yoga instructor—where she reignited her passion for movement and rehabilitation.

 

Now in her role as a PTA, Brit brings a strong foundation in therapeutic exercise, drawing on years of experience teaching movement since 2018 along with her expertise in yoga alignment and Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS) principles to help patients improve posture, core stability, and movement efficiency.

 

At Physical Therapyworks, Brit works hand-in-hand with the physical therapists to create personalized treatment plans and help patients not only recover but also understand how their bodies work in relation to their rehab goals.

In her free time, Brit loves practicing Spanish,  playing Mario Kart, and doing yoga.

Amit.jpg

Amit Lally

BS

Office Administrator, Physical Therapy Aide, Clinic Linchpin

Amit graduated from Cal State Los Angeles in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, with an emphasis in Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Exercise. He began his career working hands-on with patients in a university setting and later in private practice, assisting a wide variety of individuals ranging from post-operative patients to athletes and those new to exercise.

 

Over time, his role expanded into administrative responsibilities, where he developed experience coordinating patient scheduling, communication, and daily clinic operations, along with solving the occasional IT challenge around the clinic. Having grown within the practice, Amit now manages the front office, combining his clinical background and administrative experience to help create an organized, welcoming, and patient-centered experience for every patient.   

 

Outside the clinic, Amit enjoys exploring Los Angeles, visiting museums, playing Dungeons & Dragons, and spending time on his motorcycle enjoying the open road and a good breeze.

Jeremy PTW.png

Jeremy Ferdinand

BA, NASM CPT

Personal Trainer, Physical Therapy Aide

 

Jeremy earned his BA from LSU in 2022 and was a running back on the LSU Football Team. During his athletic career, he received coaching and mentorship from world-class trainers which shaped his understanding of fitness and performance. In 2024 Jeremy became a NASM Certified Personal Trainer (CPT), specializing in enhancing mobility and flexibility.

 

Currently, Jeremy works as a Physical Therapy Aide, collaborating closely with physical therapists to provide exceptional care and foster a welcoming, friendly environment for patients.

 

Outside of his professional pursuits, Jeremy enjoys long-distance running, hiking, surfing, playing guitar, and spending time with friends. 

PXL_20260610_220949353.jpg

Caitlin Zhang

NASM CPT (In Progress)

Physical Therapy Aide

 

Caitlin’s interest in physical therapy started in high school where she’d linger in the athletic trainer’s room perfecting her own stretching and recovery routine after cross country practice. Having been trained under a personal trainer for nine years alongside competitive swimming, golf, and fencing, she’s seen firsthand what athletes need to recover and perform. Her insight deepened through college exercise science programs and an independent research project exploring the effects of different recovery modalities on exercise-induced muscle damage.

 

Now studying Physiological Sciences at UCLA, Caitlin is earning her NASM CPT certification and aims to bring an athlete’s perspective on training and recovery to every session.

Outside the clinic, she enjoys long runs, karaoke, reading, card game nights with friends, and is currently trying to learn the guitar!

PXL_20260613_004940867.jpg

Joyce Meng

 

Physical Therapy Aide

Joyce is currently pursuing a B.S. in Physiological Science at UCLA. A lifelong basketball player, she developed a passion for health, performance, and injury prevention through years of competitive play. As a point guard, she competed in five years of club basketball and two years of high school basketball, helping lead her San Diego high school team to an undefeated season during her sophomore year. After graduating in Fall 2026, she plans to apply to Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs, with the goal of staying in Southern California.

 

During the past year, Joyce worked at an outpatient orthopedic physical therapy clinic in Santa Monica, where she gained valuable experience working directly with patients and further strengthened her passion for the profession. Her background includes guiding patients through individualized exercise programs, ensuring they understand and perform their prescribed exercises safely and effectively. Her favorite exercises focus on core strength and stability, creating a strong foundation for overall movement and function.

 

In her free time, she enjoys playing basketball, running, and jamming with her friends on the guitar.

Maya Zelcer
Brit Hirsch
Jeremy Ferdinand
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Yelp
CONTACT US 

719 Santa Monica Blvd

Santa Monica, CA 90401

tel:  310 260 9039

fax: 310 260 1091

info@physicaltherapyworks.com

CLINIC HOURS

M W: 8:00 am - 6:30 pm

T Th F: 8:00 am - 7:00 pm

Sat: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

RECEPTION HOURS

M-F: 8:30 am - 5:30 pm

Saturday & Sunday: No reception

Get in touch

Thanks for submitting!

© 2026 by Physical Therapyworks

bottom of page