SOUTH PENINSULA HOSPITAL - Key Persons
Administrative offices are open Monday - Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm. You can reach us at (907) 235-0325, or by emailing admin@sphosp.org.
Ashley Brasfield is new to Homer and loving every minute in this beautiful place. She works with clients having problems swallowing, difficulty speaking and understanding, changes in thinking, and voice problems. She earned her M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2011, where she was a LEND fellow, Maternal-Child Health Trainee, and autism program research assistant. Since then she has worked on both the east and west coasts. Ashley and her family are optimistic about their first winter in Alaska, and excited for all the adventures to come.
Caitlin Winters, OTR/L: Caitlin has been a part of the South Peninsula Team since May of 2020. She graduated from the University of Utah and has clinical experience working in various settings including outpatient hand therapy, pediatrics, home health, and in-patient rehab. Most recently, Caitlin achieved one of her professional goals of becoming a highly specialized Certified Hand Therapist. She is passionate about providing OT services in rural communities and developing programs based on community needs. Caitlin volunteers regularly with a small rehabilitation clinic for pediatric and adult patients in Marrakech, Morocco. When she's not working, Caitlin enjoys fly fishing, camping and being outside with her husband and three dogs.
Job Titles:
- Physical Therapy Assistant
Emilie graduated in 2002 from Loma Linda University and has been working as a Physical Therapy Assistant at South Peninsula Hospital (SPH) Rehabilitation department in outpatient orthopedics and inpatient rehabilitation. She enjoys working with clients of all ages and diagnoses to improve their quality of life. Emilie completed CranioSacral Therapy training in 2015 and 2016. She also works on ergonomic education and training at SPH and in the community. Emilie has lived in Homer since 1996 and enjoys hiking, swimming, skiing, running and spending time with her husband, 2 children and friends.
Emily received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Colorado in 2013 and went on to become a Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist through the International Academy of Orthopedic Medicine. Prior to pursuing the field of physical therapy, she worked as a certified Pilates instructor, completing a full comprehensive classical Pilates certification in 2004. She has spent most of her PT career working in outpatient orthopedic clinics throughout Alaska and joined the team at SPH in 2022. She and her family moved to Homer about 6 years ago and in their free time, they love to get outside and enjoy the beauty of their surroundings.
Ginnie received her PT degree from Eastern Washington University in 1993. She earned her Masters of Manual Therapy (MOMT) specialty from the Ola Grimsby Institute in 1997. For the past 23 years, she had been practicing in a private clinic in Anchorage. She enjoys treating a variety of patients and loves to be asked questions. Her particular strengths are treatment of spines, multi complex orthopedic patients and foot and ankle cases. She enjoys performing gait analysis and educating her patients to problem solve themselves. Her experience with past orthotic fabrication has helped her develop an acute eye for gait deviation. When she is not working she is spending time with her energetic 8 year old son. They love to hike, cross country ski, bike, do art projects and play Legos for hours.
Karen Northrop has practiced physical therapy since 1989 and has been at SPH since 1996. She received her Board Certification in Orthopaedics from the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties in 2005. She has clinical expertise in neurological rehabilitation, acute care, sports, orthopedics, home health, and ergonomics. Since she became a PT she has taken many courses to improve her techniques in various areas, and completed a three month residency course in Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation at Kaiser Vallejo to become certified in this treatment philosophy. Karen has also been trained in Functional Dry Needling, and DSI Functional Capacity Evaluations, and has been the Director of Rehabilitation Services since 2019 . Karen loves Alaska and all the outdoor adventures that it offers. When not at work, she spends time with her family and friends, usually outdoors.
Job Titles:
- Support Staff Member
- Unit Clerk
Kellen moved to Homer in 2015 after graduating from UAA in 2014. Originally from Eagle River, Kellen enjoys reading, writing, and exercising.
A long-time Alaskan, Kim Frost has called Homer home since 2004. Holding a PhD in Educational Psychology and Instructional Design, she serves as the Educational Technology, Innovation and Learning Design Lead at Kenai Peninsula College. Dr. Frost is deeply committed to the future of the Southern Kenai Peninsula, and believes that access to quality healthcare is a critical part of a thriving community.
Kirstin graduated from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in San Marcos, California in December 2019 with her doctorate of physical therapy (DPT) degree. Kirstin started her career as a travel physical therapist in California, moved to Homer in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic, decided to stay and make Alaska home. Kirstin has over 4 years of experience working in various skilled nursing facilities, outpatient pediatrics and general orthopedics.
Kirstin has completed continuing education courses from the McKenzie Spine Institute, Herman & Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute and Sarah Duvall's' Core Exercise Solutions. Classes include Intro to Vaginal Pelvic Health, Colorectal Pelvic Health, Pudendal Neuralgia & Coccyx Pain and Pregnancy & Postpartum Corrective Exercises. Kirstin has a passion for pelvic floor education and hopes that pelvic PT will become a gold standard of care for all postpartum and post-operative (abdominal, gynecologic, urologic and colorectal) patients. Kirstin's professional goal is to sit for her Pelvic Rehabilitation Practitioner Certification (PRPC) exam in the near future.
Job Titles:
- Support Staff Member
- Rehabilitation Office Coordinator
Krista moved to Homer in August of 2011. She was drawn to the beauty of Homer during one of her vacations to Alaska. She is originally from northwest Colorado where she was the Physical Therapy Coordinator for the Memorial Hospital for 17 years. She enjoys dancing, reading, and spending time with her husband and dog.
Lioba graduated from Towson University in Baltimore Maryland before starting her first position as an occupational therapist (OT) in Richmond, Virginia in 2018. In 2020, Lioba moved to Juneau, Alaska to support her new employer in establishing a new Four Ravens, LLC pediatric OT clinic. She also provided monthly treatment to individuals across the lifespan in Skagway, Alaska; where she got her first taste of Alaska as a hiking guide. Through these experiences, Lioba developed a passion for providing OT services to populations in rural and/or underserved areas. Lioba joined the South Peninsula team in 2023 where she is excited to work with a large interdisciplinary team and work with both pediatric and geriatric populations. Her focus is to utilize past experiences in varied settings to support individuals in increasing their functional performance in meaningful occupations. Lioba is a volunteer Emergency Medical Technician and looks forward to service the Homer community as a volunteer. When not taking care of her houseplants, she enjoys hiking, baking, and playing fiddle.
Job Titles:
- Physical Therapist / Doctor of Physical Therapy, Wichita State University
Maggie graduated from Wichita State University in May of 2014 with her Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree and moved to Homer to start her physical therapy career in June of 2014. She spent 3 months in Kotzebue in 2017 and joined the team at South Peninsula in October of 2017. Maggie has been honing her therapy skills in manual therapy and specializes in fascia, scar, and visceral mobilization blended with craniosacral techniques to improve skeletal alignment, improve posture and quality of movement. Maggie enjoys teaching body mechanics and targeted strengthening programs to restore function, decrease pain and return people to doing what they love. Maggie has experience working with sports injuries, joint pain, muscle pain, headaches, neurological conditions, balance and proprioception deficits, pelvic health conditions, pre-natal and post natal, overuse and strain injuries and complex pain conditions. Maggie enjoys problem solving and figuring out individualized treatments to meet each person's evolving needs.
Job Titles:
- Speech - Language Pathologist
Martie is originally from California and after graduating from Idaho State University in 2021 with a M.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders, she arrived in Homer, Alaska to start her new career as a speech-language pathologist. Martie's clinical interests lie in cognitive-communication therapy, aphasia, and language, but she is looking forward to continuing to learn more about all the different domains seen at SPH such as voice therapy, articulation, and dysphagia therapy services all across the lifespan. When not working, Martie enjoys hiking, water coloring, reading, and any kind of live music.
Beth is a long-term resident of Homer and understands the value of quality medical services. Her past public service includes 12 years on the Homer City Council, with four as mayor. She holds a master's degree in Public Administration and has worked in the Human Resources field for over 30-years. She is retired from Homer Electric Association.
Matthew Bullard grew up in coastal Massachusetts, where the allure of the sea shaped his early years. After graduating from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Matthew transitioned into a distinguished career with the US Navy, flying as a Naval Flight Officer in the E-2D Hawkeye for nine years. Following military service, Matthew and his wife, Anne, sought a tranquil place to build their life and raise their family. Their search led them to Homer, a community that resonated with their aspirations and lifestyle. Here they purchased the Homer Dental Center, which they manage collectively. He and Anne, along with their young son and daughter, cherish time in the outdoors.
Mike and his wife Jennifer are life-long Alaskans. They raised their four children here in Homer, two of whom were born at South Peninsula Hospital. Mike spent his high school years in Kenai and commercial fished while in high school and college. He started his career in banking immediately after college and moved to Homer in 1994. In 2018 Mike joined Northrim Bank, initially opening the first Kenai peninsula branch in Soldotna, then transferring to their Homer Branch in August, 2024. In addition to his 20+ years in banking, Mike worked for ten years as CFO/CEO at Land's End Resort.
Job Titles:
- Physical Therapist / Doctor of Physical Therapy, University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
Neil moved to Homer from Wisconsin in 2018 to join the staff at South Peninsula Hospital. He completed his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from UW-La Crosse, which included clinical rotations with the United States Air Force and the Mayo Clinic Health System. Neil is interested in injury prevention in young athletes and orthopedics rehabilitation. His personal goals to help the community include obtaining more in-depth specialties such as becoming an orthopedic certified specialist, and taking continuing education courses in neurology and vestibular rehabilitation. In his free time you have the best chance of seeing Neil and his wife out backpacking, fly fishing, mountain biking, or out jogging around town.
Job Titles:
- Physical Therapy Assistant
Rich is a long time resident of Homer although he is new to the field of physical therapy and SPH. After a long career as a wildlife biologist, Rich decided he wanted a new challenge in life and went back to school at UAA to become a PTA. Graduating in December 2017, Rich started working at SPH in February 2018. He enjoys working closely with people in the community to help them heal and regain important life functions. He enjoys hiking and other forms of outdoor recreation, contradancing, working in his large garden, and engaging with his three grandsons whenever he can.