Clinical Staff
Kale Isaacson, PT
Owner of Southwest Orthopaedic Physical Therapy. Kale received his physical therapy degree at University of New Mexico in 1988. Kale is a bilingual native of NM with over 20 years of clinical experience in orthopaedic and manual physical therapy. He has been in private practice since 2003. Kale is married with 2 children.
Linda Oberdorfer, PT
Linda has 37 years of experience in all facets of physical therapy. She has special interest in functional exercise, Women's Health, Men's Health, neuromobilization, and visceral mobilization, as well as general orthopedics. A lifelong learner, Linda keeps up with the latest developments in the field by attending numerous continuing education classes. She received her degree from University of Texas Medical Branch and has practiced in Albuquerque, NM, since moving here after graduating in 1976. She is an active mother of 4 and enjoys hiking and biking.
Karen Harley, OTR, CHT
Joined SWOPT in 2003 and is the owner of Albuquerque Hand Clinic. Karen received her occupational therapy degree at Western Michigan University in 1983. Karen is a certified hand therapist with over 20 years of expertise in upper extremity rehabilitation including work related injuries, repetitive motion disorders, post-operative conditions and ergonomic analysis. Karen has also been certified in Kinesio Taping Method since 2009. She enjoys spending time with her 3 children.
Lisa Curtis, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS
Lisa Curtis joined Southwest Orthopaedic Physical Therapy in July 2012 as a Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Natural Sciences from the University of Akron in 2001 and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Pittsburgh in 2003. Lisa is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. She enjoys all aspects of orthopaedic physical therapy, but has a special interest in treating sports related injuries. Lisa has experience implementing injury prevention programs for high school and collegiate sports teams. Away from the clinic, Lisa enjoys spending time outdoors playing ultimate frisbee, hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, and cycling.
Graziella McCall, PT, DPT
Graziella joined Southwest Orthopaedic Physical Therapy in August 2013 as a Physical Therapist. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Biology and Chemistry in 2004 and graduated with honors with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of New Mexico in 2013. Prior to getting her Doctorate, Graziella worked at SWOPT as a physical therapy technician from 2008-2010. Her favorite things about being a Physical Therapist are being able to help people get back to their prior level of function and return to the normal activities and sports after injuries, surgeries, and accidents. Seeing their gratitude for being able to return to their normal life makes her job enjoyable. Away from the clinic, Graziella enjoys camping, hiking, and fly fishing when it’s warm and snowboarding when there is snow. Graziella has been married for 6 years and loves spending time with her husband and their two dogs.
Karen Browning, PT, CGST
Joined SWOPT in 2009. Karen received her physical therapy degree at Texas Tech University in 1989. Karen is a native of NM with over 20 years of experience in both inpatient and outpatient rehab settings. Karen is a certified geriatric strength trainer and specializes in joint replacement and sports specific rehab. Karen is coordinator for the indoor USA Track and Field. She is married with 3 children.
Marilyn Bigney, LPTA
Joined SWOPT in 2007. Marilyn received her Physical Therapist Assistant degree in 1991 from Lehigh County Community College in Pennsylvania. Prior to that, Marilyn was employed as a PT tech for 20 years, focusing her education and clinical skills on myofascial release therapy, in particular, treatment of TMJ and neck disorders.
Jené Courtney, PTA
Jené joined Southwest Orthopaedic Physical Therapy in May 2012 as a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education/Biology in 1987 and her Physical Therapist Assistant degree in 2011. She has been a licensed Massage Therapist since 2009. Jené’s favorite things about being a PTA are helping people heal and educating her patients in improving their overall health. She has previous experience as a Physical Therapist Assistant for three years and as a Massage Therapist for four and a half years before coming to SWOPT. Jené is a Gulf War Veteran and served seven and a half years as an officer in the United States Army. Away from the clinic, Jené enjoys playing volleyball, cooking, reading and skiing.
Shawn Wallace, PTA
Shawn Wallace joined Southwest Orthopaedic Physical Therapy in June 2012 as a Physical Therapist Assistant. He received his Physical Therapist Assistant degree in 2012 from San Juan College. Shawn chose to enter the medical field because he has been associated with sports his entire life and has experienced his fair share of injuries. His favorite things about being a PTA are helping people and seeing his patients return to their daily activities. He also enjoys when his patient is able to perform a self set goal that they were unable to do when they first started therapy. Shawn has a special interest in the orthopaedic setting because of the vast variety in patient age and diagnosis. He says it keeps his skills sharp and never allows for a dull moment. Shawn loves being outdoors and spending time with friends. He loves going to the lake and hiking during the summertime as well as snowboarding during the winter.
Steve Luster, PTA
Steve Luster joined Southwest Orthopaedic Physical Therapy in June 2013 as a Physical Therapy Assistant. He received his Physical Therapist Assistant degree in 2013 from PIMA Medical Institute. Prior to going to PIMA, Steve has been a certified Physical Therapy technician since 1997 and has been working in the outpatient physical therapy field for over 16 years. Steve chose to enter the medical field following a lower back injury in 1996. His favorite things about being a PTA are seeing a patient return to their "New 100%" and helping patients with the healing/recovery process. Steve has a special interest in the manual therapy aspect of physical therapy as well as skeletal alignment and strains. Away from the clinic Steve enjoys referring soccer, watching TV and spending time with his family. He has been married for over 20 years and has 6 children.
Rebecca Menke, PTA, ATC
Rebecca joined SWOPT in February 2013. Rebecca has practiced as a PTA for 12 years after graduating from Bay State College in Boston, MA. She received her Bachelors in Athletic Training in 2007 from Lasell College in Newton, MA. After practicing for 6 years in an orthopedic hospital and in an orthopedic private practice in Boston, Rebecca moved to the Boulder Center for Sports Medicine in Boulder CO. There, Rebecca worked with a wide variety of patients and also ran the center’s Medicare Clinic. She currently works at both Presbyterian Hospital and with us here at SWOPT. In her free time, Rebecca enjoys gardening, playing with her two dogs, hiking, climbing and 24-hour endurance mountain biking.
Support Staff
Therapeutic Massage
We currently have 2 massage therapists on staff who specialize in medical massage.
Administrative Staff
Front Office
Kristen Gonzales is front office manager. She graduated New Mexico State University with a degree in Sports Medicine and Athletic Training Education. She has over 15 years of experience in the orthopaedic setting. Kristen has one son. Kristen oversees 3 additional front office personnel in order to assure exceptional consumer service.
