Our energetic and motivating therapists provide a personalized, focused approach to “Move you Forward” and get you back to your life …and you’ll probably have fun while you’re doing it! We use an evidenced-based approach and we support generous continuing education for our staff, providing you a treatment plan designed specifically to reduce your pain, get you moving, and reduce future injuries. Our staff specializes in a range of treatments including Custom Foot Orthotics, Oncology Rehabilitation & Lymphedema Treatment, Graston Technique, Concussion Management, Message Therapy, Occupational therapy, Wound Care, and Vestibular Rehabilitation.
Our Kihei Staff
Tiffany graduated from Duquesne University in 1998, with her Bachelors in Athletic Training and her Master’s in Physical Therapy. She also played Division I Volleyball while at Duquesne. In August of 2015, she graduated from Evidence In Motion’s Executive Private Practice Doctoral Program. She is a Certified Lymphedema Therapist, receiving training in 2003 (135 hours) and then sitting for the LANA (Lymphology Association of North America) exam, the highest standard in credentialing among lymphedema therapists in the US.
Tiffany is a PORi (Physiological Oncology Rehabilitation Institute)- Certified Oncology Rehabilitation Therapist. She has completed the Foundations of Oncology Coursework, Chemotoxicity and Cancer Exercise Management, Head and Neck Cancer and also the Breast Cancer Training. She has mentored and trained with the founder of PORI, and is excited to continue to expand Imua’s Oncology Rehabilitation Program to meet all the needs of Maui’s Cancer population.
Tiffany serves as Imua Physical Therapy’s Director of Clinics. Throughout her career, she has served several roles in the physical therapy profession in managing outpatient clinics and now as a private practice owner. She enjoys the opportunities she has to mentor, coach and train younger therapists and assistants in documentation, clinical skills, and leadership. She has been an active member of the APTA and the Hawaii Chapter of the APTA since 2005.
She is also passionate about volunteering with Assistance Dogs of Hawaii, and has been a Puppy Raiser for several dogs in the last few years that have been permanently placed in facilities. When not working, Tiffany loves spending time with her husband and twin boys being active or supporting their activities. She also enjoys yoga, stand up paddleboarding, hiking and relaxing with her family on Maui.
Sami grew up in Los Angeles, California before she moved to Tucson and graduated from University of Arizona with her Bachelors in Public Health in 2018. She continued on to get her license as a Physical Therapist Assistant, as she loves working with people and making a difference every day.
Sami has had a passion for health and fitness since she was young, as she played soccer and softball throughout her childhood. She later followed that passion into CrossFit, and finally found her way into the field of physical therapy by working as a PT technician for two years. Since then, Sammy knew she was meant to be a PTA, which is what drove her to continue her education not only to get her license, but to go on to specialize in oncology.
Sami has completed PORi’s Foundation of Oncology training, and looks forward to continuing her education and oncology rehabilitation.
One of Sami‘s favorite places to be is the beach, as she is happy snorkeling, scuba diving, or just relaxing. When not on a beach, Sammy loves exploring Maui and all it has to offer!
Melissa was born and raised in western NY, then moved to Chicago. Melissa became interested in massage work after her own injury and chronic illness. Massage helped her to heal and she desired to help others do the same. In pursuit of her calling, she attended the Soma Institute of Massage, where she was valedictorian. During her studies, she had the opportunity to complete an internship at the Rehabilitation Center of Chicago where she worked on professional athletes, local marathon runners and patients with chronic pain and injury. Maui fulfilled her dream of living on a tropical island and she is now involved in the local mommy and church communities here, where she spends part of her time planning play groups and helping to run the Keiki Klothing Exchange. Melissa is trained in many modalities that allows for customization of massage to each patient’s needs with any injury, illness or pain. Melissa believes that massage has a place in both healing and preventing injury/illness.
Carlos Loves Healing and poetry
He wanted his biography to be honest
So he wrote for this web page a tiny sonet
Carlos Dantes was born in Chicago,
Humble beginnings and a blue collar upbringing
They would travel the Americas
Looking for the right space to grow
And a home they could call their own.
Carlos was raised by Ascension and Frank Dantes.
He chose to be a PTA out of love for medicine,
the absolute beauty in the complexity of the human body,
And the ability to learn how to restore muscles and bones with precise movements and thoughtful physical exertion.
Carlos graduated from San Jacinto College in 2007,
And from JFK to OGG has assisted thousands in regaining their vitality and mobility.
Carlos thoroughly enjoys seeing people improve, progress, and regain function. He enjoys being part of a team of “healers” that can assist fellow souls in revamping their flesh and blood chariot in order to reach their life’s ambitions.
When not performing his studied vocation, Carlos enjoys drinking a “caballito” of mezcal with his lady at sunset. Jousting his foes at chess with furious vigor. Reading anything by the lauriet Gabriel Garcia Marquez who he esteems as the greatest writer of all time. Listening to whales sing whilst standing on his stand up paddle board. Watching the latest independent movie released somewhere outside the United States or toiling with his friends as they concoct a new adventure on this lovely island we call home.
Our Lahaina Staff
Peter R Ferrer is a graduate from Barry University In Miami Florida with a Masters degree in Physical Therapy. He has 26 years experience and has worked in several settings including a Trauma Hospital, occupational medicine, orthopedic and sports medicine.
He has actively been taking advanced training and coursework throughout his career. Peter has a diverse background that includes Cranio-sacral (Upledger Institute) and has more recently completed a 3 year Clinical osteopathic/Manual therapy degree from the French Osteopath Alain Gehin.
Peter also was manager/Supervisor of a large trauma hospital Outpatient PT dept and was director of clinical education. He has also taught several courses in gentle osteopathic techniques such as MET (Muscle energy) and Tensegrity.
His specialties are knee and ankle rehab but is well versed in a variety of disorders as well as chronic pain syndromes. Peter enjoys an active lifestyle that includes surfing, yoga, golf, hiking and swimming. He is currently living In Napili with his wife Alna and their dog Irie and is thrilled to be in Maui serving the community.
Colin was born and raised in Nashville, TN. He studied health sciences as an undergraduate and received his Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from the University of Tennessee – Knoxville in 2013. At the beginning of 2015, he went on to pursue his DPT in physical therapy from Tennessee State University.
He has a particular interest in othopedic therapy and had the opportunity to study under a NAIOMT-certified physical therapist in Chicago, IL who specialized in sports and recreational therapy with an emphasis on rehabilitating golfers and cyclists.
His clinical experience has taken him from the surgical orthopedic unit of a large hospital in downtown Nashville to the close family of Imua Physical Therapy, directing the recovery of professional athletes, dancers and workers alike. Colin has since returned to the island of Maui to rejoin the Imua family, where he is able to partner many of his hands-on techniques with the exceptional variety of practitioners that Imua has to offer.
He currently lives in west Maui with his beautiful wife, Chelsea. Together, they enjoy backpacking, snorkeling, golfing and chasing the best sunsets that any town has to offer.
Colin was born and raised in Nashville, TN. He studied health sciences as an undergraduate and received his Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from the University of Tennessee – Knoxville in 2013. At the beginning of 2015, he went on to pursue his DPT in physical therapy from Tennessee State University.
He has a particular interest in othopedic therapy and had the opportunity to study under a NAIOMT-certified physical therapist in Chicago, IL who specialized in sports and recreational therapy with an emphasis on rehabilitating golfers and cyclists.
His clinical experience has taken him from the surgical orthopedic unit of a large hospital in downtown Nashville to the close family of Imua Physical Therapy, directing the recovery of professional athletes, dancers and workers alike. Colin has since returned to the island of Maui to rejoin the Imua family, where he is able to partner many of his hands-on techniques with the exceptional variety of practitioners that Imua has to offer.
He currently lives in west Maui with his beautiful wife, Chelsea. Together, they enjoy backpacking, snorkeling, golfing and chasing the best sunsets that any town has to offer.
Our Maui Lani Staff
Zachary was raised in Ventura, CA where he learned early on his love for sports, staying active, and being outdoors. While attending BYU Hawaii in his undergraduate studies, he worked as a Student Athletic Trainer and developed a passion for rehabilitation. He spent two years in Peru as a service missionary for his church, where he became fluent in Spanish.
Zachary earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from Loma Linda University, and has since then been working on becoming a Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist (COMT).
Zachary is a firm believer in the therapeutic benefits of manual therapy and employs a variety of techniques including joint mobilizations, soft tissue mobilizations, myofascial release, Active Release Technique (ART), cupping therapy, and Graston Technique to address musculoskeletal dysfunctions and alleviate pain.
Zachary specializes in diagnosing and treating a wide range of orthopedic conditions from head to toe. He also treats vestibular conditions with success in treating patients with Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) and vestibular hypofunctions. He is also trained to fit custom foot orthotics by Sole Supports to help posture and injuries of the foot.
As a passionate advocate for patient-centered care, Zachary believes in empowering individuals to actively participate in their own healing process. By tailoring personalized treatment plans and incorporating evidence-based practices he strives to provide the highest quality of care for every patient.
Zachary and his wife Al moved to Maui in 2020 and both enjoy surfing, hiking, skateboarding, going to the beach, and enjoying nature. They have a son named Crosby, who they enjoy raising in a healthy, active lifestyle with a love for God.
Tiffany graduated from Duquesne University in 1998, with her Bachelors in Athletic Training and her Master’s in Physical Therapy. She also played Division I Volleyball while at Duquesne. In August of 2015, she graduated from Evidence In Motion’s Executive Private Practice Doctoral Program. She is a Certified Lymphedema Therapist, receiving training in 2003 (135 hours) and then sitting for the LANA (Lymphology Association of North America) exam, the highest standard in credentialing among lymphedema therapists in the US.
Tiffany is a PORi (Physiological Oncology Rehabilitation Institute)- Certified Oncology Rehabilitation Therapist. She has completed the Foundations of Oncology Coursework, Chemotoxicity and Cancer Exercise Management, Head and Neck Cancer and also the Breast Cancer Training. She has mentored and trained with the founder of PORI, and is excited to continue to expand Imua’s Oncology Rehabilitation Program to meet all the needs of Maui’s Cancer population.
She is certified in Graston Technique, an evidenced-based form of instrument assisted soft-tissue mobilization that enables clinicians to effectively address scar tissue and fascial restrictions through comprehensive training, resulting in improved patient outcomes. She is Certified in Mechanical Diagnosis & Treatment, a well-researched, exercise based approach of assessment, diagnosis and treatment. She maintains her Athletic Training Certification, and she has also recently completed Complete Concussion Management Certification. Other clinical interests include Vestibular Rehabilitation (oncologic & non-oncologic) and NAIOMT.
Tiffany serves as Imua Physical Therapy’s Director of Clinics. Throughout her career, she has served several roles in the physical therapy profession in managing outpatient clinics and now as a private practice owner. She enjoys the opportunities she has to mentor, coach and train younger therapists and assistants in documentation, clinical skills, and leadership. She has been an active member of the APTA and the Hawaii Chapter of the APTA since 2005.
She is also passionate about volunteering with Assistance Dogs of Hawaii, and has been a Puppy Raiser for several dogs in the last few years that have been permanently placed in facilities. When not working, Tiffany loves spending time with her husband and twin boys being active or supporting their activities. She also enjoys yoga, stand up paddleboarding, hiking and relaxing with her family on Maui.
Sami grew up in Los Angeles, California before she moved to Tucson and graduated from the University of Arizona with her Bachelors in Public Health in 2018. She continued on to get her license as a Physical Therapist Assistant, as she loves working with people and making a difference every day.
Sami has had a passion for health and fitness since she was young, as she played soccer and softball throughout her childhood. She later followed that passion into CrossFit, then finally found her way into the field of physical therapy by working as a PT technician for 2 years. Since then, Sami knew she was meant to be a PTA, which is what drove her to continue her education not only to get her license, but to go on to specialize in oncology.
Sami has completed PORi’s Foundations of Oncology training, and looks forward to continuing her education in oncology rehabilitation.
One of Sami’s favorite places to be is the beach, as she is happy snorkeling, scuba diving, or just relaxing. When not on a beach, Sami loves exploring Maui and all it has to offer!
Adrianna Nunes is a licensed physical therapist at Imua PT and holds a doctorate in physical therapy. Dr. Nunes has experience with treating various impairments and is focused on providing optimal patient centered care.
Dr. Nunes received her bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science at California State University, Northridge. Along with focusing on her academics at CSUN, she received an athletic scholarship to play Division I Collegiate Soccer for the Women’s Soccer Team.
During her time as a soccer player, Dr. Nunes sustained many major injuries where she spent a lot of time in physical therapy. There is where she gained a great interest in pursuing physical therapy as a career. Dr. Nunes earned her doctorate in physical therapy from West Coast University in 2017. In her clinical internships, she worked at various settings and gained experience treating various diagnoses.
Prior to her time at Imua PT, Dr. Nunes worked at UCLA Rehabilitation Services and Vargo PT in Los Angeles where she focused on treating various post-operative, orthopedic and work-related injuries. Dr. Nunes is CPR, AED and First Aid certified.
Dr. Nunes is married with 2 children and enjoys exercising, watching movies/sports and spending time with her family.
Melissa was born and raised in Washington state, but has lived over half of her life on Maui. After her
Dr. Hannah is from Peachtree City, Georgia. She earned her Bachelor’s in Sports Science (2019) at Tusculum University, where she played four years of collegiate soccer as a goalkeeper. She obtained her Occupational Therapy Doctorate at Gannon University in Ruskin, Florida (2022). Hannah loves the holistic approach to therapy that she is able to use in her profession. She thrives on incorporating the mind, body, spirit approach and helping her clients improve and have better awareness of their bodies.
Hannah serves as a pelvic health and upper extremity therapist at our Maui Lani Clinic. She holds certifications as a pelvic health therapist from Herman and Wallace, and Lindsey Vestal’s OT Pioneers. Hannah adopts a personal and empathetic approach in guiding patients dealing with upper extremity pain, pelvic pain, post hysterectomy, endometriosis, pre or post-natal issues, and urinary or bowel incontinence. Hannah is enthusiastic and passionate about staying current on pelvic health research. She is currently pursuing her Fertility Specialist Certification in the 1st cohort of Dr. Yeni Abrams Triggered Academy.
Hannah is new to Maui, but felt God called her here to help bring awareness to pelvic floor therapy and assist all residents who are in need of services and looking for a holistic therapist who wants to get to the root cause both mentally and physically. She wants every client to know that she is there to help them along their own personal story. Each patient’s story is unique and specific to what they are going through currently and what they have been through in the past. “I will meet you where you are and continue to work with you as you grow and change directions on each path of life,”
Favorites:
Place: Beach
Food: Steak or Acai
Vacation Spot: Spain
Guilty Pleasure Song: Every Night Every Morning by Maoli
John, a Maui native, is a graduate of Baldwin High School. He earned his degree in Occupational Therapy from The University of Puget Sound in 1982 and has worked as an Occupational Therapist for over 40+ years. His notable work experience includes expertise in chronic pain management, work conditioning, and hardening programs, traumatic brain injury recovery and community integration rehabilitation, home evaluations, and employer based occupational health and ergonomic services. He has successfully evaluated and treated thousands of industrially injured workers and facilitated their return to work.
John’s particular area of interest is rehabilitation of work related spine and orthopedic injuries with a focus on returning the client to work and/or maximizing their functional potential. Treatment emphasizes active participation of clients with their own rehabilitation process. John’s qualifications include expertise with functional/physical capacities evaluations, on-site job task analyses, ergonomic work station evaluations, environmental adaptations, modifications, injury prevention education, and return to work programs. He has co-authored a national publication on work hardening programs and has represented WA State’s Occupational Therapy Association by contributing to the Department of Labor and Industries ergonomic program guidelines. He has worked on the mainland for 17 years before returning to Hawaii. He also is an ISSA Certified Fitness Trainer.
Melissa was born and raised in western NY, then moved to Chicago. Melissa became interested in massage work after her own injury and chronic illness. Massage helped her to heal and she desired to help others do the same. In pursuit of her calling, she attended the Soma Institute of Massage, where she was valedictorian. During her studies, she had the opportunity to complete an internship at the Rehabilitation Center of Chicago where she worked on professional athletes, local marathon runners and patients with chronic pain and injury. Maui fulfilled her dream of living on a tropical island and she is now involved in the local mommy and church communities here, where she spends part of her time planning play groups and helping to run the Keiki Klothing Exchange. Melissa is trained in many modalities that allows for customization of massage to each patient’s needs with any injury, illness or pain. Melissa believes that massage has a place in both healing and preventing injury/illness.
Carlos Loves Healing and poetry He wanted his biography to be honest so he wrote for this web page a tiny sonet Carlos Dantes was born in Chicago, humble beginnings and a blue collar upbringing they would travel the Americas looking for the right space to grow and a home they could call their own.
Carlos was raised by Ascension and Frank Dantes.He chose to be a PTA out of love for medicine, the absolute beauty in the complexity of the human body, and the ability to learn how to restore muscles and bones with precise movements and thoughtful physical exertion.
Carlos graduated from San Jacinto College in 2007, and from JFK to OGG has assisted thousands in regaining their vitality and mobility. Carlos thoroughly enjoys seeing people improve, progress, and regain function. He enjoys being part of a team of “healers” that can assist fellow souls in revamping their flesh and blood chariot in order to reach their life’s ambitions.
When not performing his studied vocation, Carlos enjoys drinking a “caballito” of mezcal with his lady at sunset. Jousting his foes at chess with furious vigor. Reading anything by the lauriet Gabriel Garcia Marquez who he esteems as the greatest writer of all time. Listening to whales sing whilst standing on his stand up paddle board. Watching the latest independent movie released somewhere outside the United States or toiling with his friends as they concoct a new adventure on this lovely island we call home.
Sean is a 2001 graduate from the University of Puget Sound with a degree in Occupational Therapy. Sean has worked in a variety of settings including acute hospital care, sports, skilled nursing, outpatient, and home health.
He’s originally born and raised on Oahu, but has worked in California and Nevada, relocating to Maui to be closer to family. In his spare time, he coaches his son’s baseball and his daughter’s softball teams.
Melissa was born and raised in Washington state, but has lived over half of her life on Maui. After her
Spencer was born and raised on the North shore of Maui in the town of Haiku. Spencer first had interest in physical therapy after needing treatment to regain his walking ability after an accident in his early years. Since that time he wanted to be able to help others regain their function.
Spencer was awarded his clinical doctorate in physical therapy in 2017 from St. Augustines University in San Marcos California.
Spencer is married and has four wonderful children. He loves to spend time with family and eat good food. If he is not at the beach surfing or diving he can be found in his yard growing trees and plants.
Emily grew up in Portland, Oregon before moving to Corvallis to get her Bachelors in Kinesiology. After discovering her passion and love for the medicine of movement, she continued on to get her license as a Physical Therapist Assistant.
Emily has enjoyed exploring many aspects of health and fitness throughout the years. She enjoys learning about nutrition, teaching Barre classes, and continuing to explore many aspects of healing the body naturally. Since moving to Maui, Emily has gone on to specialize in oncology through PORi as a PTA and has found a real passion for the clients and difference we can make in their lives.
When not in the clinic, Emily enjoys spending time with her husband, spending time outside, and soaking up the sun!