Fortanasce & Associates Physical Therapy

Our Staff

President: Michael G. Fortanasce, PT, DPT

Michael G. Fortanasce received his Master of Science in Physical Therapy from Boston University in 1977 and received his Advanced Standing Clinical Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) from the University of Southern California in 1996. Dr. Fortanasce founded Fortanasce & Associates in 1981 beginning with three small rooms and has built the Arcadia facility into the 11,000-plus square-foot free-standing facility that it is today. Dr. Fortanasce is a regular speaker at the accredited Southern California physical therapy schools as well as many other programs throughout the nation with topics ranging from ethics in clinical practice to the steps necessary to insure the growth and survival of our profession. He has presented numerous papers at state and national professional meetings and continues to be a crusader for each and every patient and the profession of physical therapy

Ken Mengel, PT, MPT,OCS

Kenneth W. Mengel received his Master of Physical Therapy from the University of Southern California in 1994 and has been with Fortanasce & Associates since 1989. He earned board certification as an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist in 2001. Ken has published research in the Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy relating to knee pain and specific treatment intervention and has served as a part-time faculty member at Western University of Health Sciences, Department of Physical Therapy, where he taught Kinesiology, Musculoskeletal Evaluation and Treatment as well as Joint Kinesiology in the Osteopathic Medicine program.

David A. Gutkind, PT, DPT, OCS

David A. Gutkind received his Bachelors of Science in Physical Therapy from California State University at Northridge in 1989 and became board certified as an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist in 1997. He received his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Western University in December of 2006. He has developed and participated in a variety of programs used in both clinical and industrial settings focusing on prevention of and early intervention for workplace injuries. Additionally, he has guest lectured at local physical therapy programs and has presented numerous training classes at the corporate level. With over18 years of clinical experience and a wide range of continuing education background, he is well trained to achieve successful outcomes with orthopedic and neurological conditions. He enjoys athletics of all kinds and stays busy outside the clinic with his wife and 3 children.

Director of Hand Therapy/Occupational Therapy Services: Janice D. Rocker, MS, OTR/L, CHT

Janice D. Rocker has her master's degree in Occupational Therapy from Boston University. She received her certification in hand therapy (CHT) in 1991 when the exam was first offered. She has practiced hand/arm therapy since 1985 with empathy and humor. Professionally she has lectured, and published articles in peer reviewed journals. Specialties include treating fingers, thumbs, hands, wrists, forearms, elbows and shoulders. Janice enjoys wound/scar management, manual edema mobilization, myofascial release, customized splinting, and gearing your rehabilitation exercise program towards your particular needs.

Janice also is a certified Structural Yoga Therapist, and was certified by Mukunda Stiles in 2005. Private one-on-one sessions may be scheduled to enjoy the benefits of yoga including: manage stress and pain, improve strength, joint flexibility, balance, digestive health, immune system. Specific yoga postures and meditation helps you to have a restorative effect, greater sense of well-being, reorganize and rejuvenate your mind and body. Changes occur by working through the body/the breath. Yoga helps to shift your focus away from anxiety, anger, depression towards relaxation, contentment and joy.

Clinical Director, La Verne:
Monica Cummings, PT, SCS

Monica Cummings received her Bachelor's Degree in Physical Therapy from California State University at Long Beach in 1983 and her board certification as a Sports Clinical Specialist in 1993. She has been with Fortanasce & Associates since 2002. Monica has served as clinical liaison for the U.S. Olympic Committee, U.S. Figure Skating and Rugby Teams, the Joffrey Ballet and the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes Minor League Baseball team. Her special interests lie in the evaluation and treatment of foot-ankle, shoulder and spine injuries, with particular interest in throwing and running mechanics and rehabilitation.

Lilian Chen-Fortanasce, PT, DPT

Lilian Chen-Fortanasce was born and raised in China . After graduating from East China Normal University with her Masters in Sports Biochemistry, she ventured over to the United States to pursue a career in movement science. She received her second Masters in Kinesiology-Exercise Physiology from Bowling Green State University . She earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Southern California in 2003. After graduation, she practiced at USC University Hospital/USC Norris Cancer Hospital. She finished a one year long post-graduate manual therapy program in 2005. She joined Fortanasce & Associates and finished her Orthopedic Residency Program in 2006. She is a member of American Physical Therapy Association. She loves to do Pilates, play tennis, travel, and eat spicy food. When she is not busy working at the clinic, she loves spending time with her husband and their gorgeous baby boy.

Anang, PT, DPT

Anang is a graduate of McGill University in Montreal with a B.Sc. in Physiology. He earned his Doctorate in Physical therapy at Univeristy of Michigan - Flint with interests in Orthopedic and Vestibular rehab. He recently completed a post-graduate year-long manual therapy program. Anang currently serves as Clinical Director of Continuing Education and organizes placement of student interns from the various southern California physical therapy programs. He is a member of American Physical Therapy Association and Orthopedics Section. He enjoys many sporting activities including coaching soccer, tennis, and hockey.

Tamara Enfiedjian, PT, DPT

Tamara Enfiedjian is an alumnus of University of California, Fresno with a B.S. in Kinesiology-Exercise Science. In 2006, she earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Chapman University with special interests in Orthopedics. Tamara is a Certified Athletic Trainer and is also currently enrolled in the Kaiser -Affiliated Orthopedic Residency Program at Fortanasce & Associates. She is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and Orthopedics Section. Tamara's interests include cultural and church related events, outdoor activities like hiking, and adventuring around the world.

Karen Hwang PT, DPT

Karen Hwang was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. After graduating from the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor with her Bachelor of Science is Biology, she traveled out to Los Angeles to attend the University of Southern California where she received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. Karen is also a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and Orthopedic Section. She enjoys eating, especially stuffed Giordano's pizza from Chicago, cooking, traveling, and exercising. Karen stays loyal to her undergrad alma mater and loves watching Michigan football... Go Blue!

Casey Chaney, PT, DPT, CSCS, PhD

Casey Chaney received her PhD from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah. She earned her Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist credential (CSCS) in 1998 and board certification as an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) in 2000.Casey received her degree in physical therapy from Russell Sage College in New York, where she also earned a master's degree in Health Education. She is active in research and has contributed to articles that have been published in journals put out by both the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Physical Therapy Association.

Currently, she is serving as the Vice-President of the San Gabriel Valley District of the California Physical Therapy Association (CPTA) and was recently elected to the Chair-Elect position of the Nominating Committee for the CPTA. She is also an active member of the APTA and attends national, regional, and local meetings regularly. She has been an invited speaker at all levels of these meetings.

Casey works full-time at Western University of Health Sciences in the Department of Physical Therapy Education where she coordinates and teaches Musculoskeletal Evaluation and Treatment of the Lower Quarter, Physiology of Exercise, and part of the Upper Quarter Musculoskeletal Evaluation and Treatment course as well. She sees patients on Mondays and Wednesdays at Fortanasce.

Sam Orefice, ATC, CSCS

Sam Orfice is our Director of Sports Medicine and Fitness Programs. He has been with the clinic since 1998. He received is BS in Sports Medicine from California Polytechnic University, Pomona in 2000. He earned his certification as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist in 2000 and his Athletic Trainer Certification in 2001. Away from work, he enjoys spending time with his wife and 2 children.

Johnny Chen, DPT

Johnny Chen completed his undergraduate work in Integrative Biology at the University of California, Berkeley. He earned a Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree at the University of Southern California in 2005. Johnny is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association and Orthopedics Section, and continues to pursue specialist education in his career field. Bilingual in English and Mandarin, he joined the Fortanasce staff in 2007 to provide quality physical therapy care to a diverse patient population. He plays many sports such as football, basketball, and baseball/softball. In addition to being an avid sports fan (Go Cal Bears!), Johnny enjoys movies, traveling, and spending time with his family. In August 2008, he will also be a father for the first time!

Mike Bender, DPT