South Kona Physical Therapy
Betty Fackler,
PT & Owner
Betty is in her 4th decade as a healthcare provider, beginning as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and then continuing her education at the College of St Scholastica where she received a BA degree in Physical Therapy in 1987. Her experience as both a nurse and a PT is extensive in the acute and sub-acute settings.
As a PT she became accomplished in acute rehabilitation of spinal cord injuries and ventilated patients in specialized hospitals in Tucson, AZ. While working in related long-term care and rehabilitation facilities she was positioned as PT Director and then to Director of Rehabilitation Service, overseeing physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology and restorative services. Adding outpatient services to these rehabilitation facilities and providing contract services to other outpatient clinics in the Tucson community diversified her experience further.
Increased participation in outpatient services in the mid 1990’s was a revelation. Outpatient treatment became the perfect setting to blend diverse experience, management skills and extensive continuing education for a variety of diagnosis in populations of all ages.
Amid the complexities and change inherent in today’s healthcare system Betty continues to believe the key to successful patient care is an individualized and compassionate approach and requires combining
the “Science of Healthcare with the Art of Caring" Betty has belonged to the national and state chapters of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) since 1987. Participating in frequent of workshops and continuing education over 27 years as a PT continually expanded her knowledge and skills, as well as fueling her heartfelt enthusiasm and passion for providing physical therapy service. Move Forward PT has always been her personal philosophy and is now a PT branding vehicle.
When not treating patients Betty enjoys being in the ocean scuba diving or snorkeling, gardening, going to movies and playing Scrabble.
Theresa Owens,
MPT
Theresa graduated from University of the Pacific in Stockton, California with a MS in Physical Therapy. She worked in Orthopedics for 25 years with a private practice associated with the University of Nevada-Reno, where she had obtained her Bachelor of Science in Biology. Theresa has experience with a large variety of injuries associated with college and high school sports and treated many Reno locals for a variety of conditions; taking care of general medical patients and those with workers compensation injuries. Prior to working in private practice, she was employed in a large, acute-care trauma hospital in Sacramento, California. Here she was exposed to major medical patients, severe burns, spinal cord injuries, and other neurological disorders.
Theresa has been a Physical Therapist for almost 30 years and has taken numerous continuous education courses focusing on injury prevention and rehabilitation. As a dedicated clinician, she is familiar with treatment protocols for a variety of musculoskeletal dysfunctions; learning these protocols from renowned specialists in the fields of Orthopedics, Neurology, Nutrition, Geriatrics, and more. She has worked with all age groups, from newborns in neonatal ICU to college and high school athletes to geriatric patients undergoing total joint replacements; where she learned to incorporate these treatment applications in order to guide an individual to their fullest recovery.
Theresa moved from Reno to fulfill her dream of living on the Big Island of Hawaii three years ago. She is an avid scuba diver, is learning to play the ukulele, is a member of Keauhou Outrigger Canoe Club, and has been a volunteer with Ironman for over 12 years. She looks forward to learning more about Hawaiian history and culture from the locals that reside here.
Samantha Fujimori
Office Administrator
Samantha Fujimori
Office Administrator
Samii is our Front Office Administrator/Manager. She was born in Hilo and raised in Ka’ū. She graduated from Konawaena High School. Thereafter, she attended University of Hawaii-West Hawaii campus, studying in early childhood education
where she worked in the preschool setting for 10 years. Currently, Samii is working on her Bachelor's of Science in Healthcare Administration as she has been managing South Kona Physical Therapy. Samii has been with SKPT for 13+ years. She has over 20 years of administration experience.
In Samii’s free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, whether it may be at the beach, cruising our island or walking through our forests in the mountains.
Mendy Lacey,
Insurance & Billing Specialist
Mendy has been with South Kona Physical Therapy since 2009. And because of her degrees in Computer Networking and Security, and with over twenty years’ of experience in medical billing services, Mendy doubles as our Billing Manager and IT Specialist.
Mendy has called Kona home for 23 years and has two sons. She is the daughter of a coffee farmer, and is no stranger to hard work. You can be sure if your treatment is covered by insurance she will not give up until they have paid every dollar they owe. In her free time, like so many of us on the island, she enjoys the many beaches our home provides.