Our Company
Meet Our Therapists
Bradley J. Sidener, PT, Cert. MDT
Brad enjoys working with athletes of all ages and backgrounds. Through motion analysis, manual therapy, specific therapeutic exercises, and neuromuscular re-education, he takes great pride in helping his patients return to or exceed prior levels of function and efficiency. He utilizes this athletic rehabilitation approach, not only with his athletes, but also the general orthopedic patient, the injured worker, and post-surgical patient.
Brad’s community activities have been extensive, as he has been a member of the Reno Rodeo Association since 1990 and served as President of this prestigious organization in 2017. Throughout his career, Brad has worked with the athletic teams of several high schools in the community. He has been an integral part of the Galena High School Sports Medicine Team for close to 20 years. On any given Friday night during the fall he can be found on the sidelines of a Grizzly football game and can easily be found in the baseball dugout throughout the spring. He has coached and served on the board for Reno Continental Little League and Muckdogs Baseball Club.
Brad takes great pleasure spending time with his wife, three grown children and his grandson. He enjoys doing anything horseback including team roping and cattle ranching. Additionally, he enjoys scuba diving and an occasional game of golf.
Kathy Sidener, PT, Cert. MDT
Kathy Sidener is a native Nevadan who has had the privilege of building her professional career in the Reno-Sparks community. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Nevada before earning her degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Utah in 1985.
Kathy began her career in neurological rehabilitation and pediatrics before transitioning into orthopedics early in her career. Since 1996, she has been an integral part of building and expanding Reno Sport & Spine Institute, where she continues to provide care to patients throughout the community.
In 1995, Kathy became credentialed by The McKenzie Institute, USA, in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (Cert. MDT). She incorporates this approach in the evaluation and treatment of spinal and extremity conditions. Her extensive orthopedic experience includes treating conditions of the ankle and foot, knee, hip, shoulder, spine, and elbow.
Kathy believes that patient education and preventive health care are essential components of successful treatment. She is particularly interested in fitness and healthy aging and, in 2010, completed her certification as a Certified Exercise Expert for the Aging Adult (CEEAA). She enjoys helping older adults maintain strength, mobility, independence, and an active lifestyle.
Throughout her career, Kathy has remained actively involved in the physical therapy profession. She has served on the Executive Committee of the Nevada Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association and completed two terms on the Nevada State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners.
Outside of the clinic, Kathy enjoys running, hiking, and traveling. She is very proud of her two grown children and their careers. One of her greatest joys is spending time with her grandchildren and her extended family.
Mike Barry, PT, MPT, OCS
His continuing education recently has focused on current trends in the prevention and treatment of knee and shoulder injuries, while also focusing on manual therapy techniques for the spine. Combining his clinical practice experience, continuing education, continued clinical reading, and self-treatment of his own injuries, Mike has established a well-rounded approach in treating various neuromusculoskeletal injuries and stresses the importance of prevention, therapeutic exercise and self-management of one’s injuries.
In his leisure time, Mike enjoys spending time with his wife and two sons in the outdoor areas of the Sierras and Plumas National Forest. A washed-up-has-been high school and college intramural athlete, Mike now enjoys snowboarding, mountain biking, hiking, following and watching his sons compete at the local high school baseball level, and an occasional round of golf.
Marla Brennan, PT, MPT, Cert. MDT
Marla recently received her certification in The McKenzie Method for the neck, back, and extremities. Her primary focus with continuing education coursework is current concepts in orthopedic and sports injuries. Other coursework she has completed includes dysfunctions of the upper and lower quadrants, as well as shoulder, elbow and hand disorders. Marla believes it is important for the patient to be educated, receive as much information as possible and to take an active role in their rehabilitation.
Marla has been an active member in the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) since 1995. In the past, Marla has held offices at the state and national levels; she remains active working on issues important to the field of physical therapy.
Away from the office, Marla and her husband, Sean, along with their son enjoy camping, golfing, hiking, and spending time with family and friends, in addition to their dog: Mo.
Alison Olsen, PT, MPT, Cert. MDT, ATC
Alison is a native Nevadan who earned her BS from the University of Nevada in 1990. During her time at UNR, she
worked as a student athletic trainer, where she assisted student athletes across various sports with injury prevention,
sideline care, and rehabilitation. She completed her Athletic Training Certification in 1990, maintaining that credential
for 29 years.
After earning her Master’s in Physical Therapy from UCSF in 1994, Alison worked at Scottsdale Memorial Hospital,
gaining experience across ICU, acute, sub-acute, and home health settings. Upon returning to Reno, she specialized
in outpatient rehabilitation with a focus on manual therapy.
Alison holds certifications from the McKenzie Institute in Mechanical Diagnosis and Treatment for spine and extremity
disorders and from the American Institute of Balance for treating vestibular and concussion diagnoses. She is also a
certified Advanced Office Ergonomics specialist (AOEAS) through the Back School and is a certified community
instructor for Tai Ji Quan: Movement for Better Balance.
She prioritizes clear communication to define patient goals, utilizing targeted education and customized techniques
for every case. Drawing on her sports background, she treats every patient like an “athlete”, focusing on their full
potential rather than just their diagnosis to ensure a successful return to function. When not treating patients, Alison enjoys spending time with family and friends, participating in outdoor activities like running, skiing, hiking, and paddle boarding, as well as pursuing artistic outlets such as pottery.
Katie Manning, PT, DPT
Katie Manning has enjoyed living in Reno since 2010. Katie is grateful to live in the great state of Nevada with all of the outdoor recreational activities and beauty. Katie’s undergraduate studies took place at Kansas Wesleyan University where she received scholarships in both basketball and softball. This is when her interest in physical therapy sparked. She later graduated from the University of Nevada Las Vegas with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2007 and has primarily practiced in an outpatient orthopedic setting. Katie prides herself with high quality hands-on care and feels manual based therapy is one of the most effective aspects at getting a patient better, faster. Katie specializes in joint mobilizations, muscle energy techniques, soft tissue mobilization, myofascial work, spinal and pelvic alignment correction, and patient specific therapeutic exercise and activity. She is a certified clinical instructor and focuses all of her clinical applications to be evidence based. Katie also believes that an individualized home exercise program will not only compliment patients in clinic therapy sessions, but will add value long-term, and keep symptoms at bay.
Katie spends her free time with her native Nevadan husband and three children who enjoy boating, camping, snow sports and staying active all four seasons, rain, snow or shine. A healthy and physical lifestyle is very important to Katie and this is evident in her passion to get her patients to do likewise.
Erika Williams, PT, MPT
Over the course of her career, Erika has received her certificate in Pilates-based rehabilitation. She has also completed extensive coursework in manual therapy of the spine, pelvis, shoulder, and knee, and in the McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Treatment of the spine and extremities. She prides herself on her manual skills and her ability to incorporate them into a comprehensive treatment program. Erika believes that patient education is key to fostering independence. Therefore, she is dedicated to ensuring that her patients understand how to move their bodies for optimal function and injury prevention. She is committed to giving personal attention and providing individualized care to each patient.
In her free time, Erika enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters traveling and enjoying the outdoors. She continues to pursue personal wellness and fitness and aims to inspire others to do the same.
Sarah Martinez, PT, DPT
Sarah moved to Sparks, Nevada after her father retired from the US Army in 1999. She was involved in many sports growing up including soccer, softball, basketball and swim. While in high school Sarah discovered a love of running and has completed multiple 5K’s, 10K’s, 12K’s and half marathons. She graduated with honors from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2011 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Health Ecology. She then attended the University of the Pacific, in Stockton, CA where she received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2013.
Sarah spent her first five years of practice working in Elko, NV where she worked in the outpatient setting including orthopedics, sports rehabilitation, industrial screening, and neuro rehab. Sarah returned to Reno in 2019 where she has been practicing over the last seven years with a focus in outpatient orthopedics, sports rehab and women’s health.
After the birth of her son in 2018 Sarah discovered a new passion in women’s health as she struggled in her own recovery postpartum. Experiencing those struggles firsthand gave her a deeper appreciation for how overwhelming postpartum recovery can be. If navigating this period was difficult for her even with her professional background, she thought of how much harder it might feel for those without that knowledge, guidance, or support. That experience fueled her passion for helping women feel informed, empowered and supported throughout their postpartum recovery. She completed her certification as a Postpartum Exercise Specialist in 2021 and has been working with the postpartum and pregnancy population in Reno since then. Sarah believes successful physical therapy begins with understanding a patient’s “why”. She likes to look beyond the symptoms and take the time to learn what matters most to her patients- whether that’s returning to exercise, keeping up with their children, or simply moving through their daily life with confidence. She feels that by aligning treatment with their personal goals will create meaningful and lasting outcomes.
When not in the clinic Sarah enjoys spending time with her two children, husband and dog.
During the summer months Sarah and her family are active hiking, camping and paddle boarding. Sarah is also an avid reader and is always reading or listening to a book!
Taylor Souza, PT, DPT
Taylor is a native Nevadan as he was born in Carson City and raised Gardnerville, Nevada. Being involved in many sports and outdoor activities throughout his childhood and young adult life he grew a strong passion for fitness, health, helping others, and the amazing intricacies of the human body.
He graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2018 where he received his Bachelor’s in Community Health Science with a specialization in Kinesiology. Taylor then attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas where he received his Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2022. While in school he gained invaluable experience treating patients across the life span with orthopedic injuries and balance impairments. While in the last year of school Taylor joined RSSI family as a student where he diligently studied and treated patients alongside and under the guidance of our numerous experienced Physical Therapists.
In his free time, Taylor enjoys all the seasons Northern Nevada has to offer. During the summer months you can find him hiking around the Lake Tahoe Basin with his wife Jessica and his Border Collies Ginger and Asher. While the snow is flying, Taylor spends his winters snowboarding on the slopes of Heavenly, Kirkwood, and Northstar.
Ethan Hunter, PT, DPT
As a Native Nevadan, Ethan grew up in Wadsworth, Nevada, where community events such as powwows and basketball tournaments shaped his early years. He went on to earn a degree in Community Health Science from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2021. He then pursued his doctorate in physical therapy at UNLV, graduating in 2023. He first joined RSSI as a student during a clinical rotation, and officially became part of the team in June 2023. Outside of work, Ethan enjoys basketball, running, watching
movies, and spending time with his wife Breana and son Cyrus.
Marissa Pollock, PT, DPT
Marissa is a 5th generation Nevada native. She grew up in Elko where she was very involved with sports and developed a love for staying active and being outdoors. She graduated with honors from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2017 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Community Health Science. She then attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas where she received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2022 and was inducted into the National Physical Therapy Student Honor Society.
Marissa first joined the physical therapy field as a PT tech at RSSI. After graduating, Marissa was excited to have the opportunity to move back north and re-join the team at RSSI!
In her free time, Marissa enjoys traveling across Nevada with her dog to visit family and spend time hiking, camping, and fishing.
Claire Grady, PT, DPT
Claire Grady is a born-and-raised Reno native who has always loved the area’s active mountain culture. Growing up, she spent countless days hiking and skiing Mt. Rose with her family, fostering a lifelong passion for staying active and enjoying the outdoors.
Claire’s interest in physical therapy grew from a desire to come alongside people throughout their healing journey and help them return to the activities they love. She earned her undergraduate degree in Exercise Science from California Baptist University before completing her Doctorate in Physical Therapy at Loma Linda University.
Claire has received advanced training from leading experts in the physical therapy field in hands-on treatment techniques, including autogenic inhibition, joint mobilization, and soft tissue mobilization. She enjoys developing individualized treatment programs tailored to each person’s unique needs, goals, and lifestyle.
As an avid trail runner and hiker herself, Claire has a particular interest in return-to running progression and helping patients safely get back to high-impact sports. Outside of the clinic, she loves spending time outdoors with her family and their Labrador, Aspen, including an annual summer camping trip to Fallen Leaf Lake.
Office Staff
Rhonda
Caughlin Ranch
Amanda
South Reno
Emma
Sparks
Chelsea
Back Office
Julie
Back Office
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Self Referral - Direct Access State
Nevada is a direct access state which allows patients to be seen by a licensed physical therapist without a physician referral. Certain insurance companies or plans, however, require a physician referral for payment. Please check with your individual insurance company if you aren’t sure.