Riverside Physical Therapy Shoreview

Jessica Sheffield, MS, OTR/L, CSRS, LSVT BIG

Rehab Therapy Supervisor

Jessica graduated with her Master's in Occupational Therapy from Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, KY. She joined the Riverside team in 2013 and has a great deal of experience in working with those who have neurological and orthopedic diagnoses. Jessica is a Certified Stroke Rehabilitation Specialist (CSRS) who specializes in Neuro Rehabilitation for post stroke and brain injury. Jessica also has experience in working with those with neurological vision impairments including use of Dynavision and BITS. She is also LSVT BIG certified and loves to help patients with Parkinson’s disease to maintain their independence as much as possible. Jessica is the Occupational Therapist serving on the Riverside ALS Clinic Team, working alongside multiple disciplines to provide comprehensive care to people with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Jessica enjoys spending time with her husband and two boys. She is fluent in American Sign Language and loves being outdoors.

Alexa Schmedel, PT, DPT

Alexa graduated from the University of Lynchburg in 2021 with Doctorate of Physical Therapy. She began her career in inpatient rehab and since then has joined the Riverside team in 2024. Alexa enjoys working with a variety of patients with diagnoses include neurological, spinal cord injury, and amputations. She has a passion for learning, sharing her compassionate and kind personality with others, and returning patients to their highest level of independence possible. In her free time, you can find Alexa spending time with her husband and sheepadoodle, participating in CrossFit, and being outdoors.

Brittany Santos, LPTA, LSVT BIG

Brittany graduated from The Riverside College of Health Careers, Physical Therapist Assistant program and joined the Riverside team in January of 2017. Brittany enjoys working with the neurological population, facilitating recovery following stroke or brain injury. She brings a unique challenge to each of her patients, pushing them to achieve their personal and functional goals. Brittany specializes in neuromuscular re-education and aquatic therapy. She is also LSVT BIG certified and has a special interest in helping patients return to their prior level of function after lower limb amputation with prosthesis training. Brittany advocates for the physical therapy profession, giving back to her college by frequently working with students as an APTA credentialed clinical instructor. 

Cynthia McIlrath, DPT, CAPP-Pelvic Certified

Cynthia McIlrath graduated from Old Dominion University 2011 with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. She joined the Riverside team in 2019 and has experience in all levels of care including acute, skilled nursing, and outpatient therapy. She specializes in pelvic floor physical therapy and has become CAPP-Pelvic Certified through the Section of Women's Health of the American Physical Therapy Association. She enjoys working with pelvic floor, neurological, orthopedic, and geriatric population. Cynthia is a passionate advocate for her patient's care.

Justin Holmes, LPTA

Justin Holmes, better known as Jus, is a LPTA graduate of the 2012 class of Medical Careers Institute, College of Health Science by ECPI University. He is a physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of experience in diverse settings working with a broad assortment of diagnoses. He has been a proud contributor to the Riverside team for most of his career. He is a Newport News native that has answered the call seeking to defy the odds. He is especially intrigued by developing individualistic treatment approaches for the neurological population. His renowned down to earth and approachable personality, undeniable creativity, fascination with sports, and love for communication/encouragement through music & poetry makes any encounter a memorable occasion. He is driven by the hunger for reasonable greatness and not being defined by limitations. He is a promoter of life and life more abundantly, thus giving his best effort to ensure quality customer service tirelessly whenever duty calls.

Sarah Tucker, PT, CSRS, LSVT BIG 

Sarah graduated with her Master's in Physical Therapy from Quinnipiac University in Hamden, CT. She has been working for Riverside since 2002, in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Sarah is a Certified Stroke Rehabilitation Specialist with many years of experience. Sarah enjoys working with the neurological population (Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury, Parkinson's Disease). She is LSVT BIG certified and provides therapy to those with Parkinson's Disease to improve their balance, walking and ability to perform activities of daily living. She also specializes in rehabilitation for those who have experienced a spinal cord injury or amputation, helping them return to their maximal level of independence. Sarah is the Physical Therapist serving on the ALS Clinic Team, working alongside multiple disciplines to provide comprehensive care to people with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Sarah has volunteered her time as a physical therapist, serving Himalayan communities with minimal access to healthcare. She aspires to continue offering her skills as a therapist to serve those with limited healthcare.

Stacey Wilcox, MS, CCC-SLP

Stacey Wilcox graduated from Western Kentucky University in 1998 with her Master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology. Stacey relocated to Hampton Roads Virginia in 2002. Stacey joined the Riverside team in 2021 and has experience in all venues of care including home health, inpatient, and outpatient. Past experience includes trach/vent, Modified Barium Swallowing Assessments, dysphagia, cognitive-linguistic, as well as Neuro Recovery for post stroke and brain injury. Stacey has a passion for working with aphasic patients and assisting them in developing their communication skills, whether it be verbal or a SGD (speech generating device). Stacey is Vital Stim certified, and has served as a clinical supervisor, for more than 20 years, for speech pathology graduate students completing their internship for the Master’s program. Stacey’s passion is being able to return her patients to the highest level of function possible, in communication, swallowing, and cognitive ability. In her spare time, she is an avid sports mom, dog lover, loves hiking, crafting, and a Congressional Advocate for Juvenile Diabetes (as being a T1D mom herself).

Tamina Laudat, COTA/L

Tamina graduated in 2012 with her Applied Associates in the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at Tidewater Community College located in Virginia Beach, VA. Tamina loves working with the geriatric population, which is no surprise that most of her career years have been dedicated catering to that population. In recent years, she has also discovered a newfound love working in the outpatient setting. Tamina’s experience entails working with those with neurological and orthopedic conditions. This opportunity has allowed her to expand significantly on her skill set and made her stronger in her craft. Tamina is a big proponent for Occupational Therapy and is committed to maximizing functional outcome for each of her patients. Tamina challenges herself when it comes to the quality of care that is given and aims to give 100%. Tamina believes in providing a safe place for her patients in which she believes it allows the patients to thrive within their recovery process.

Zachary Goodwyn, LPTA

Zachary graduated from The Riverside College of Health Careers, Physical Therapist Assistant program and joined the Riverside team in December of 2022. Zachary enjoys working with his patients and pushing them to achieve their personal and functional goals. Zachary is working towards specializing in a variety of diagnoses including neurological, orthopedics, and aquatic therapy. Zachary has a great passion for helping others and giving them the support and encouragement that they need to be successful when it comes to their physical goals. Zachary loves playing sports in his spare time. He loves camping, hiking, traveling to the beach, and exploring the mountains. Zachary is from a large family, who he loves spending time with, especially his nieces and nephews.