Experience, Attentiveness, & Motivation.
We invest in the continued growth of our colleagues. We recognize that when we set our sights on expertise everyone benefits. Premier’s therapists combine clinical experience, attentiveness, and provide motivation to create programs set to accomplish your specific goals. We want to help you return to the activities you love!
Ken McKenzie
PT, MPT, DPT
Ken has been a physical therapist since 1997, treating a wide variety of patients. He co-owned and managed an outpatient physical therapy clinic for the last 12 years in Pineville, Louisiana, but had always dreamed of living in beautiful Colorado. So July 2014, he and his family moved to Arvada, and he opened his own outpatient clinic, Premier Physical Therapy, in Westminster.
Ken attended Florida State University 1991-1995 where he was an All American tennis player. He then received his Master of Physical Therapy from University of St. Augustine in 1997 and his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2007. Ken is a member of the APTA and the private practice section of APTA.
Eric Pankey
PT, DPT, MTC
Growing up in the state of Colorado, Eric attended Colorado State University where he received his Bachelor of Science in Health and Exercise Science in 2012. Wanting to pursue a career in physical therapy from a young age, Eric went on to achieve his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in December of 2015. Eric received his manual therapy certification in 2016 and is certified in dry needling (FDN). He is also a member of the APTA as well as the AAOMPT. When not treating patients in the clinic, Eric finds joy in a multitude of outdoor activities including hiking the Rocky Mountains and playing a variety of sports such as basketball, volleyball, and snowboarding. Along with helping others achieve their rehabilitative and personal fitness goals, living an active lifestyle is just one of Eric's many passions in life.
Kim Cavanagh
PT, MSPT
Kim has been a physical therapist for 25 years. She moved to Colorado in 1996 and worked for several years before taking time off to stay home with her 2 kids.
Kim attended Drake University 1983 - 1988 where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Biology. She then attended Des Moines University from 1988-1990 where she received her Master of Science degree in Physical Therapy. Kim is certified in equestrian fitness and rehabilitation and is also interested in golf biomechanics and rehabilitation. Kim enjoys spending time with her husband, 2 kids, 1 horse and 2 dogs. Kim is a member of the APTA.
Cassie Kalil
PT, DPT
Cassie was born and raised in Denver, CO and worked as a tech at Premier for 2 years before going to PT school. She attended undergraduate college at Colorado State University in Fort Collins where she studied Health and Exercise Science, then went on to earn her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Midwestern University in Phoenix, AZ.
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Cassie enjoys rock climbing, traveling, painting, photography, watching formula 1 racing, gardening, building her house plant collection, hiking and playing with her dog Dexter, and going to concerts and car shows with her husband Alex.
Ariana Oliveria
PT, DPT, MTC
Dr. Ariana Oliveira is a doctor of physical therapy with her certification in manual therapy. She has many years of experience treating patients with orthopedic injuries, pre & post-op, and athletes. Ariana also treats vestibular disorders and pediatric patients.
Ariana mainly focuses on restoring function and mobility through manual therapy, instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM), cupping therapy, dry needling, motor control training, and strengthening. Her main goal is to get her patients back to their daily lives and performing activities they love. She strives to provide patients with long term tools to help keep them active and pain free.
Ariana is an athlete, like so many in Colorado, and therefore understands the importance of not only living pain free but also being able to do the things you love. She moved to Colorado in 2020 and enjoys trail running, backpacking, hiking, HIIT workouts, exploring new restaurants, being outdoors and camping with her husky pups.
Casey Quinn
PT, DPT
Casey was born and raised in the outskirts of Philadelphia, and moved into the city after graduating PT school. She received her undergraduate degree in Biology and her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Widener University. Casey and her husband, Kyle, love to have an active lifestyle and anything that gets them outdoors. She particularly enjoys hiking, skiing, kayaking, soccer, gardening, photography, cooking and eating (if we're being honest this is her favorite activity).
Stephanie Lenz
PT, DPT
Stephanie was born and raised in Prior Lake, Minnesota. She is a proud midwestern who loves the lakes and outdoors. Prior to becoming a Physical Therapist, she spent 6 years in the US Navy and the majority of her time was spent in San Diego, CA. Working with the military population is a passion of hers and she loves meeting other veterans. Stephanie earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from San Diego State University. She is extremely passionate about getting patients back to doing the activities they love, connecting with patients, and promoting optimal health!
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Stephanie has 2 dogs (German Shepherd and Havanese) and loves exploring the outdoors with them, she also loves hiking and biking in the summertime, and snowboarding in the wintertime.
Stephanie Kim
PT, DPT
Stephanie was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. She attended Saint Louis University for her Bachelor’s in Exercise Science in 2019 and for her Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2021. She moved to Dallas, Texas to work with a stroke and brain injury program after graduation. She moved to Colorado to be closer to outdoor activities. She strives to work hard with each patient on getting back to doing the things they love! During her free time, Stephanie enjoys reading, buying house plants, climbing, hiking, golfing, and finding new restaurants to try!
Leyden Neumayer
PT, DPT
Leyden was born in the Philippines and grew up in Denver. She earned her doctorate degree in physical therapy at Regis University in 2015 and is certified in dry needling.
She initially became interested in physical therapy after watching a family member undergo vestibular rehab and return to indepence. Leyden enjoys the mix of evidence based science and creativity involved in addressing each patient's unique condition. Most of all she enjoys empowering her patients to reach their goals.
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Outside of the clinic Leyden enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, and building community. Some hobbies she enjoys include gardening, being a "chicken mom," trying new foods, fishing and hiking.
Brittany Esser
PTA
Brittany was born and raised in Wisconsin and attended Herzing University to become a Physical Therapist Assistant. However, she first pursued a Bachelors degree in Speech Pathology and a Masters degree in Child Life Specialist. After she completed those degrees she knew that Physical Therapy was more her calling.
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Brittany is certified in vestibular, pelvic floor, and cervical/thoracic techniques. Brittany moved to Colorado after she graduated in 2021. She likes an active lifestyle and enjoys hiking, skiing, tennis, volleyball, and anything outdoors.
Kevin Quinn
PTA
Kevin hails from the northwest suburbs of Chicago. After years working as a golf instructor, he decided to pursue a greater passion in physical therapy. In 2022, Kevin completed the Physical Therapist Assistant program at Concorde Career College in Aurora. He strives to help patients achieve their physical therapy goals through use of manual therapies, therapeutic exercise, and effective patient education.
Kevin enjoys many types of outdoor recreation including trail running, rock climbing, snowboarding, and hiking. His other interests include seeing live music, playing soccer, and spending quality time with friends.
Michelle McKenzie
Office Manager/ Marketing Manager
Born in Louisiana and raised in San Antonio, Texas, Michelle attended the Florida State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1994. After getting married, starting a family and moving around the southern states, she and her husband decided to make the move out west in 2014 and have never looked back! After opening Premier Physical Therapy in 2015, Michelle stopped nursing to help run the business with Ken. She loves the Premier family atmosphere that has been created over the years and is grateful every day for the amazing staff and patients. Her son and daughter are both CSU Rams. Michelle loves to play tennis, scuba dive and ski, enjoys listening to her favorite band the Avett Brothers. She loves the beauty and fun Colorado offers!
Richelle Breedlove
Receptionist
Born and raised in Colorado, Richelle enjoys nature and being outdoors in her free time. She also enjoys being a mom to her beautiful daughters and taking her on adventures. She has worked in healthcare for 12 years and looks forward to her journey with Premier Physical Therapy.
Danielle Bond
Front Office Manager
Born and raised in Steeler's Country, Danielle moved to Colorado from Pittsburgh with her husband in 2016. She has made the rounds with Premier Physical Therapy, working first as a tech, then a PTA, and has now decided to try her hand at the front office (and loving it)! When not working, she can be found in the beautiful outdoors hiking and fishing with her hubby, cruising the winding roads of the Rockies on her Triumph, and loving on her two kitties Tala and Brewster. She is accomplished in the fine art of tea service and has won many awards for her skill. She loves interacting with the patients and staff at Premier and looks forward to helping in whatever way she can!
Caitlyn Kost
PT, DPT
Caitlyn was born in raised in Northern Virginia, attending Virginia Tech for undergraduate college followed by Shenandoah University to receive her Doctorate of Physical Therapy. She spent 5 years working in Virginia, where she increased her experience in outpatient orthopedics treating patients with spine pathologies, orthopedic injuries, vestibular disorders, and that have undergone or will soon be undergoing surgery. Caitlyn is certified in dry needling, and uses a combination of manual therapy, functional exercises, and education to help patients eliminate pain and return to the activities they love!
Caitlyn relocated to Colorado with her husband, David, who grew up in the Littleton area. Her biggest hobbies include cooking, venturing to local farmers’ markets, and trying new restaurants. Caitlyn and her husband are both avid travelers, and love spending their time exploring new destinations both near and far. In fact, prior to moving to Colorado, they backpacked East and South East Asia, visiting 9 countries and 32 cities over 16 weeks. Caitlyn’s most memorable experience from this trip was staying at an Ecolodge in the Borneo rainforest, spending her days and nights spotting indigenous wildlife including the “Borneo Big 5”!