About Us
Michael B. Miller DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT
​
Michael graduated from California State University, Long Beach in 1990, completed his Masters in 2006 at Loma Linda University, and completed his DPT at Western University in 2012. He completed the PNF Post Graduate training course at Kaiser, Vallejo in 1995 and the Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Orthopaedic Residency Program in 1997. A Board Certified Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy since 1997, is a part-time instructor at California State University Long Beach, clinical specialist at PT@theBeach, and Clinical Faculty for several Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Residency Programs. He is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Therapists.
Michael’s resumé includes the following:
​
-
He presented at State and National conferences.
-
He served on the task force for APTA Residency Task Force on Guidelines for Curriculum Development for Postprofessional Residencies in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy and Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy.
-
He authored the APTA home study courses 13.1 Patient in PT: The power of the Psyche. ESSENTIAL SKILLS FOR INTERVIEWING AND EDUCATING PATIENTS WITH PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPAIRMENTS
-
He authored Current Concepts in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy: Cervical Spine Monograph for the Orthopaedic Section of the APTA.
Michael is a past Chair and item bank coordinator for the Orthopaedics Specialty Council and currently a course developer and instructor for the Advanced Clinical Practice courses offered through the APTA.
Chad Nicholson PT, MPT, OCS, FAAOMPT
Chad graduated from California State University, Long Beach in 2005 with his Master’s in Physical Therapy. He is a 2006 graduate of the Kaiser Permanente Southern California Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Residency program and a 2008 graduate of the Kaiser Permanente Southern California Manual Therapy Fellowship program. Currently, Chad is a clinical specialist and faculty member of the Kaiser Permanente Southern California Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Residency Program in Anaheim, California.
He served on American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education as an Accreditation Services Committee Member from 2010-2017. He has been a teaching assistant for the Learning Movements Seminars since 2009 and moved into the lead instructor role in 2022. Chad arrived at a career in PT through rehab from injuries suffered mountain biking. He still rides regularly and participates in local competitions when time and training permit.
Karina Smith, PT, DPT, OCS, SCS, FAAOMPT
Karina is a graduate of Azusa Pacific University in 2010 and completed her residency in Orthopedic Physical therapy at Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles in 2011. She went on to complete a Fellowship in Manual Therapy and Sports Rehabilitation in 2012. She currently works as a PT Clinical Specialist assisting the Orthopedic Surgery department in their care for patients with Knee OA at Kaiser Permanente Anaheim in addition to her patient care duties. She also mentors in the Kaiser Orthopedic Residency and Sports Rehabilitation Fellowship programs in Southern California. She has been presenting on topics of Knee and Shoulder Examination and Rehab in the Learning Movements series since 2022.
Erik Murata PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS
Erik is a Graduate of the University of Southern California in 2018. He went on to complete his Orthopedic Residency Training through Kaiser Pernamente Southern California in 2019 and a Fellowship in Manual Therapy and Sports Rehabilitation at Kaiser Orange County. Erik is currently working as a staff Physical Therapist at Kaiser Anaheim. Erik loves the ocean and can often be found catching waves near his home in Costa Mesa.
Kaitlyn Alvarez PT, DPT, OCS
Kaitlyn graduated from Azusa Pacific University in 2019 with her Doctorate in Physical Therapy. She went on to complete an Orthopedic Residency through Kaiser Permanente Southern California in 2020 and a Spine Rehabilitation Fellowship in 2021. Kaitlyn is currently working for Kaiser Permanente in Orange County as a staff physical therapist. During her spare time she enjoys traveling, reading good books, drinking coffee, and taking her American Eskimo pup on fun adventures.