Stephen Hinkle
Doctor of Physical Therapy, Owner
Stephen C. Hinkle is the lead physical therapist and co-owner of Vitality Physical Therapy. Steve was born in Wheeling WV and lived most of his life around the Buffalo NY area. Steve currently resides in Rancho Sahuarita with his lovely wife Yajaira and is blessed to have five beautiful children (Brittany, Isabella, Jayse, Ryler and Kyle).
Steve has been a licensed practitioner of PT since 2004 and opened the clinic in Sahuarita in 2009. Steve was raised as an atheist but in 2009 gave his life to Jesus Christ and became a born again Spirit filled Christian. Steve studied for many years past his doctorate using varied techniques across many different populations and has achieved the following degree and certificates: Doctor of Physical Therapy, Co-Owner, Certified Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy, Certified Spinal Manipulation, Certified Dry Needling, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Certified Personal Trainer, Grayston’s Technique Trained.
Yajaira Hinkle
Office Manager, Human Resources, Co-Owner
Yajaira Hinkle grew up in Redwood City, California south of San Francisco. In 2000 she started to work for Lucile Salters Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California where she gained much of her administrative experience. It was rewarding for her to work with the many doctors that served that community and across the nation as well as internationally. In 2007 she and her 2 daughters decided to move to Arizona and not knowing what God had for her and children. In 2013 her and husband became engage and married in September 2013. She started to work side by side with her husband in November 2013 and became co-owner of Vitality PT. She enjoys work with her husband and finds Vitality staff a blessing.
Anthony Montez
Physical Therapy Assistant
Anthony first met Steve Hinkle in 2006 during a clinical internship in a local Tucson workers comp clinic. From there they forged a friendship that resulted in Anthony being hired on as a Physical Therapist Assistant upon his graduation as a Physical Therapist Assistant. Two years into their relationship Steve left the company to open Vitality Spine and Sports Physical therapy. Anthony stayed on where he gained additional experience while working under various Physical Therapists and learning their different therapeutic approaches for common and uncommon injuries.
Having worked within the workers comp clinic for four years Anthony looking for new opportunities was approached by Steve in 2011 to join him in Sahuarita to become his assistant again. In May of 2011 Anthony joined the Vitality Spine and Sports Physical Therapy family and has been a main stay since. Anthony enjoys serving and working with his patients to achieve their personal and physical goals. Anthony when not at work enjoys spending time with his family and maintaining an active role in his church
Gwynn Eckert
Physical Therapy Technician, Front Office
Gwynn Eckert was born in Washington D.C. and lived in Virginia for 30 years. Moving to Green Valley, AZ 5 years ago; she wanted to jump start a career in patient care. In 2012, she graduated from Pima Medical Institute with a certificate as a Medical Assistant. Wanting to get back more to her sports roots; Gwynn attended Carrington College in 2015. She is now a certified physical therapy technician. When away from the physical therapy clinic Gwynn enjoys reading and working out whenever possible. The most important thing is spending time with her 4 year old son.
Leticia Murillo Arias
Billing Manager Specialist
Leticia Murillo Arias is from Las Cruces NM. She graduated from Las Cruces High School. She graduated on the top of her class from Pima Medical Institute as a Certified Medical Assistant/Certified Medical Biller. She also completed the National Registry Exam with a 92nd percentile to earn the Registered Medical Assistant/Biller through the National American Medical Technologist. Leticia received her Occupational Medicine Certificate through the United States Air Force while working for the Aerospace Medicine Flight at Nellis AFB, NV. She is married to Chief Master Sergeant Herman Arias (Retired USAF), also from Las Cruces NM. Together they have 4 children and 7 grandchildren. She loves to spend time with her grandchildren and her hobbies include listening to music and singing, especially Christian songs. She has lived in Tucson for over 25 years. Leticia has been a faithful Christian serving the Lord since 1982.
David Petersmarck
Budo Taijutsu Leader
David is currently the Sempai (Big Brother) of the Bujinkan Yamaneko Dojo. He was introduced to the Bujinkan and Budo Taijutsu while living in Germany in 1988. After leaving Germany he found it difficult to find a school teaching authentic Budo Taijutsu and continued to train in a variety of martial arts until arriving at the Yamaneko Dojo. In 2009, Sempai traveled to Japan and successfully passed the sakki test and was awarded the title of Shidoshi (Teacher of the Warrior Ways of Enlightenment) by the Grandmaster. Sempai is currently a Nanadan (7th degree black belt) and has taught courses in Special Weapons and Tactics, Defensive Tactics, Hand-to-Hand Combat, CQC (Close Quarter Combat), and female self-defense courses developed by Shihan Prather. He is an accomplished musician and enjoys playing guitar. Visit http://www.bujinkanusa.com/ for more information.
