Our Team
Our Story
We opened Evolve Physical Therapy in 2017, soon after a national corporate chain acquired the practice where we were working in management.
We made this choice to create a patient-centered environment that supported our mission:
To inspire our staff, patients, and communities to live happier and healthier lives
Our unique focus on “Active for Life” applies to everyone. Without exception. We do not want you to be a spectator in life. We will help you create a balance to make your recovery optimal and efficient. Evolve Physical Therapy looks at you today, tomorrow, and in the future to allow you to be involved in the activities that you love.
We want to listen to your story and understand your perspective so that we can best help you. Our goal is to exceed your expectations. You deserve the best experience. You deserve to …
Move Better, Feel Better, and Live Better!
– Matt Whitaker & Matt Weissbach
Owners and Founders of Evolve Physical Therapy
- The Team
Sherwood
Matt Weissbach | Co-Founder, PT, DPT, EdD
Sherwood
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Matt Weissbach is a physical therapist with over 22 years of experience. He graduated from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, with degrees in psychology and health studies (BAH) in 1998 and physical therapy (BScPT) in 2002. Matt practiced in Hawaii until 2011 before moving to the area surrounding Portland, Oregon. He earned a transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (t-DPT) in 2017 and a Doctor of Education (EdD) in 2023 from the University of St. Augustine for Health Studies (USAHS). His research focuses on patient and clinician motivation. Matt has also been an adjunct faculty member at USAHS since 2018. He has spoken at track and field coaches clinics, universities, and international conferences on running, footwear, long-term athlete development. He is passionate about working with active individuals looking to recover from injury to allow them to return to the same or higher level of performance and function. Matt’s areas of clinical interest include motivation, ACL rehabilitation, sports rehabilitation and performance, and aquatic rehabilitation.
Melisa Abesa | PT, DPT, OCS
Sherwood
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Melisa Abesa is a California native who now calls Sherwood, Oregon home. She enjoys spending time with her husband, son, and two border collies. She received her undergraduate education at Eastern Oregon University, where she competed on the NAIA track team in sprints and relays. She has practiced in the Portland area since graduating with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Southern California in 2014. Melisa is a huge advocate for patient empowerment, individualized care, and a holistic approach to health and wellness, with a special interest in women’s wellness including prenatal, postpartum, adolescent, and athlete care. She defines her treatment style as a collaborative experience incorporating hands-on and active therapies to help reach patient goals. As a board-certified clinical specialist in orthopedic physical therapy, she also enjoys working with a large variety of orthopedic and sports-related conditions, including runners, individuals with headaches, post-operative patients, and athletes across the lifespan.
Scott Taylor | PT, DPT, cert MDT
Sherwood
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Scott grew up in Oregon, earning his Bachelor’s degree from Oregon State University and his Doctorate from Pacific University in 2006. Scott has always had a passion for learning about the muscles and bones and this led him to a career path in physical therapy. In 2008, he became a certified Mckenzie Therapist, which is an internationally recognized treatment approach for the spine. In addition to treating the spine, he has a lot of experience with the foot/ankle and sports injuries and working with the geriatric population.
Scott is an Elite Triathlete, often finishing in the top 5% of his races. As a triathlete, he has learned running and swimming mechanics and proper bike fitting. When he is not training for races, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two boys and doing activities like gardening, mountain biking, skiing, rafting, and hiking. He has summited 5 of the tallest peaks in the Pacific Northwest.
Brittany
Patient Care Coordinator
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Brittany was born and raised in Oregon, and graduated from Sherwood High School. She has years of experience in medical office management and billing. Brittany worked in a chiropractic office for more than 7 years before joining our clinic. Brittany is committed to making patients feel welcome and well informed with their treatment plan, doctor and patient coordination, patient scheduling, and insurance plans.
Campbell
Patient Care Coordinator
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We want to introduce our newest team member, Campbell! She is a Patient Care Coordinator who will help you navigate your insurance benefits and schedule appointments.
Campbell is from Tigard, Oregon, and graduated from the University of California, Davis, with a Bachelor of Science in Neurobiology, Physiology, & Behavior in 2024. At Davis, she played basketball at the NCAA Division 1 level. Her background in athletics has given her experience with injuries and the recovery process, fueling her passion for assisting others in navigating their own journeys to wellness. She loves spending time with friends and family, being outdoors, reading, and listening to music.
Bethany
Matt Whitaker | Co-Founder, MPT
Bethany
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Originally from the East Coast, Matt Whitaker received his professional degree in 1998 from Loma Linda University. He lived in Utah and California prior to moving to the Northwest in 2016. His first 9 years of practice was in neurologic rehab with a focus on vestibular and balance dysfunctions which he continues to treat . Over the past 13 years his area of care has concentrated on orthopedics with a special interest in treating spine dysfunctions. As a distance runner and having completed two Ironman triathlons, he understands multi-sport athlete goals. He is a certified Level 1 Bike Fitter. Outside of treating patients, Matt has taught physical therapy students in the clinic and the classroom. He has lectured to medical students, provided post-graduate continuing education training to physical therapists, directed therapy programs for hospitals and owned a private practice clinic prior to opening and co-owning Evolve.Matt Weissbach is a physical therapist with over 22 years of experience. He graduated from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, with degrees in psychology and health studies (BAH) in 1998 and physical therapy (BScPT) in 2002. Matt practiced in Hawaii until 2011 before moving to the area surrounding Portland, Oregon. He earned a transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (t-DPT) in 2017 and a Doctor of Education (EdD) in 2023 from the University of St. Augustine for Health Studies (USAHS). His research focuses on patient and clinician motivation. Matt has also been an adjunct faculty member at USAHS since 2018. He has spoken at track and field coaches clinics, universities, and international conferences on running, footwear, long-term athlete development. He is passionate about working with active individuals looking to recover from injury to allow them to return to the same or higher level of performance and function. Matt’s areas of clinical interest include motivation, ACL rehabilitation, sports rehabilitation and performance, and aquatic rehabilitation.
Yu-Jen ‘Jenny’ Hwang | PT, DPT
Bethany
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Yu-Jen “Jenny” Hwang PT, DPT was born and raised in Malawi, and completed her Bachelors in Physical Therapy at National Yang-Ming University in Taiwan. She then earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at New York University. Jenny moved to Portland, Oregon in March 2021 after practicing in New York City for 3 years in a multidisciplinary setting. Jenny uses many concepts of Pilates for rehabilitation as well as a combination of manual therapy and therapeutic exercises to help clients achieve their personal goals and move better. She is a strong believer of treating the body as a whole and is SFMA (Selective Functional Movement Assessment) certified and Balanced Body® Pilates Instructor trained. She enjoys helping people reach their full potential, no matter what fitness level or stage of life they are in. Jenny loves the outdoors and is exploring everything that the PNW has to offer. Jenny is fluent in English, Mandarin Chinese, and Taiwanese.
Istvan ‘Ish’ Takacs | PT, DPT, CERT MDT.
Bethany
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Istvan “Ish” was born and raised on the southern shores of Lake Balaton in Hungary. The proximity of nature, the water, and the small mountains provided the perfect environment for an active childhood filled with soccer, basketball, swimming, fishing, riding bikes, and roaming the fields.
His family immigrated to the United States in 2000 during his high school years to the fabulous city of Las Vegas, Nevada. This is where he completed his undergraduate studies in Kinesiology at UNLV focusing on biomechanics. His love for movement and sports continued throughout his college years as he continued to enjoy snowboarding, rock climbing, and basketball, and helped to create the UNLV ultimate frisbee team.
When he started physical therapy school (also in Las Vegas) he took up commuting on a bike to balance a life of sitting in classrooms and traffic. The passion for the bicycle quickly rose and he became interested in competitive road cycling.
After finishing graduate school in 2012, his interest centered around cycling as injuries started to surface during training and racing. This led to specialized training in bike fitting and diving deep into cross-training, athlete loading, training periodization, and injury prevention. In 2016 he moved to Portland to live in a more bike-centric city.
His professional focus centers around general orthopedics, bike fitting/ergonomics, the MDT (McKenzie) Method, manual therapy, and male pelvic health with a particular interest in pelvic pain and incontinence challenges.
His free time is split between his family, riding a bike, weight training, traveling, foraging for mushrooms, volunteering at local OBRA bike racing events as a First Aid attendant, playing chess, and (when he is lucky) reading a Hungarian novel.
Emily Melzer, PT, DPT
Bethany
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Emily is a native Oregonian and grew up on a wheat farm in North Central Oregon. She received her B.S. in Exercise Science from Pacific University in 2011 and then travelled to Portland (Maine!) to obtain her doctorate of physical therapy from the University of New England, completing her program in 2014.
Emily loves all things orthopedic and has a special interest in helping pregnant and postpartum women prepare for & recover from birth. She is also passionate about empowering the geriatric population with movement!
Emily utilizes hands-on treatment, education & therapeutic exercise to help patients improve their function and keep doing what they love! Emily is also a great cheerleader—she brings positive energy and encouragement to the journey to recovery.
In her time outside of work, you’ll find Emily chasing her two young sons around a playground, spending time on her family’s farm, or running a foot race with her best friend.
Lorraine
Patient Care Coordinator
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Lorraine is originally from California and moved to the Pacific Northwest to be close to family in 2016. She has worked in medical offices for many years, including physical therapy and durable medical equipment clinics. Lorraine is here to help patients with their scheduling, insurance, and general front desk needs.
Lorraine experienced a significant neck injury herself and used physical therapy as a major part of her recovery. She understands the importance of physical therapy and the journey back to optimum health and supports patients’ health goals. Lorraine is a former competitive swimmer. She loves being in nature, hiking, cooking, and spending time with her family.
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