Get to know the Dr's at GOPT!
Name: Dr. Michael Tancini, DPT, PT, OCS, CSCS, CF-L1, Pn1
Personal Motto: Live with Intention, be deliberate and take action to be a little bit better,. Every. Single. Day.
Whats his story?
Michael grew up in the world of athletics. He played everything from baseball, football, basketball, aggressive inline skating, skateboarding, golf, and much more. He had his share of injuries in which he worked through in order to play. As he went through college baseball and transitioned into competitive "functional-fitness" the one thing he hated most was to see other individuals fail to reach their goals, especially due to pain and physical dysfunction. From that moment he made it his mission to help all individuals achieve their goals through helping them move better and feel better. With teaching others how to move better, they were able to stay healthy, train harder, and achieve their goals. Michael pairs his manual hands on skills with his knowledge and experience in strength and conditioning to help his patients return to doing what they love to do and achieving their goals.
Education:
-
BA in Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
-
Doctor of Physical Therapy, DPT, Campbell University
Advanced Certifications:
-
CSCS - Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
-
OCS - American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) - Orthopedic Specialist
-
FMT Basic, Rocktape.
-
FMT Performance, Rocktape
-
FMT Blades - IASTM, Rocktape
-
SFMA - Selective Functional Movement Assessment
-
FMS - Functional Movement Screen
-
Crossfit Level 1 Trainer
-
Crossfit Movement and Mobility Trainer: MobilityWOD
-
Blood Flow Restriction Training: Owens Recovery Institute
-
Structure and Function - Dry Needling for Orthopedic Rehabilitation and Sport Performance
-
Body Tempering Seminar: Donnie Thompson
-
Pose Method® Certified Technique Specialists
-
Precision Nutrition Level 1 Certificate in Exercise Nutrition
Athletic History:
-
Collegiate Baseball Player 2008-2010
-
Crossfit Games Individual Regional Athlete: 2012, 2013, 2014
-
Wodapalooza Fitness Festival: 2015 Elite Individual competitor
-
Granite Games Team Member: 2015
-
Crossfit Games Team Regional Athlete: 2017
-
USA Weightlifting American Open Finals: 2018
-
USA Weightlifting American Open Finals: 2020
-
USA Weightlifting American Open Finals: 2021
-
Crossfit Quarterfinals Competitor 2021
-
Master Fitness Collective Championship Competitor 2021
-
70.3 Ironman Finisher 2022
-
USA Weightlifting North American Open Finals: 2022
Name: Dr. Molly Pierson, PT, DPT, CF-L1
Personal Motto: To invest in yourself now, is to invest in your future.
What’s her story?
Molly has always had a love for athletics, health, and wellness. Her personal background includes swimming, running, triathlons, and CrossFit, and, when she isn’t exercising, she always tries to find time outside to be active. Molly has had her fair share of injuries, however, her coach was a physical therapist which helped her not only to continue to compete in swimming, but exposed her to the physical therapy profession. Throughout college, Molly continued to experience pain from chronic injuries, and she started to work with a performance-based physical therapist and incorporate more functional fitness to combat symptoms and return to sport. Through taking these additional steps, this helped Molly to reinforce her passion for providing the necessary tools to help athletes recover from pain and injuries, and return to the activities they love. She is also passionate about women’s health, and providing the necessary tools and education to other women to help them be empowered in their bodies and stay active throughout their lives. By combining hands-on manual therapy, education, and functional fitness, Molly helps clients stay active and achieve their goals.
Education:
BA in Health Sciences, University of Missouri at Columbia, MO
Doctor of Physical Therapy, DPT, Oklahoma City University
Advanced Certifications (include fitness and nutrition certifications):
Crossfit Level 1 Trainer
Name: Meische Cox
Personal Motto: We are defined by what can be, not what was and if it scares you it might be worth running towards.
What’s her story?
Meische’s passion for rehab and physical therapy started at the age of 13 when she blew out her knee playing soccer, requiring surgery, and subsequently felt like her world had ended. Over her high school and collegiate career she spent years in physical therapy and witnessed the impact a strong rehab team can have on a person’s physical and personal life. Ultimately, she was able to return to competition after each injury and ended her career as a four year varsity collegiate athlete at Frostburg State University. She graduated from Frostburg State as a Certified Athletic Trainer giving her the opportunity to work with collegiate athletes. She went on to pursue her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Youngstown State University. While pursuing her graduate degree she worked with a local high school, Loweville High. There she implemented and developed their athletic training program and was responsible for all student-athletes. She has specialized as a concussion specialist and has specialized in injury analysis and fit for sport protocols at various clinics. Her path through the physical therapy realm has given her the opportunity to work in various outpatient settings that ranged from sport clinics to sub-acute rehab settings and challenged her in the front of rehabbing all athletes and expanding her definition of athlete. Her most recent adventure was being employed with the United States Air Force at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska where she worked with active-duty members to return to duty and maintain the mission. Her physical therapy journey has lent her the opportunity to work with patients of all ages, backgrounds, and stages of life. Her experiences have allowed her to grow as a clinician and bring a different perspective to rehabilitation.
Her Physical Therapy Motto: We are all athletes, it's a frame of mind and reference. Athlete’s need to return to their best: the highest level of competition whether it be the collegiate level, high school, competition level, weekend warriors, chasing their kids around, work, or an active overall lifestyle or simply just being able to gain movement. Meische’s goal in the rehab of her patient’s is to take every “athlete” and return them to their life’s passion.
Education:
Bachelor’s of Science in Athletic Training from Frostburg State University - Certified Athletic Trainer
Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Youngstown State University
Advanced Certifications (include fitness and nutrition certifications):
Dry Needling Certification through IDN