Our Team //
J. Aaron Staeben | OTR/L, CHT, CEAS
Clinic Director
Certified Hand Therapist
Aaron is the founder and President of Peak Performance Therapy, LLC and has been helping people on the Olympic peninsula since 2002. He is also a licensed Occupational Therapist (OTR/L), Certified Hand Therapist (CHT), and Certified Ergonomic Specialist (CEAS), with over 25 years of experience treating upper limb injuries from the shoulder to the hand.
Aaron opened Peak Performance Therapy Center in November 2011 with a strong desire to offer the best therapy service on the Olympic Peninsula, in a unique state-of-the-art specialized clinic, only offering one-on-one care. He is also certified in “Graston Technique”, Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization or IASTM. Aaron proudly served in the United States Army and gained valuable experience as an Occupational Therapist treating upper limb injuries at Darnall Army Hospital at Fort Hood, Texas.
In his free-time, Aaron is an avid golfer, gym rat, and loves to travel. Pura Vida!
Eric Palenik | PT, DPT
Eric is well known in the community for his outstanding work specializing in orthopedic sports injuries, and has treated the people of this great community for over 12 years. He has worked with many recreational, high school, collegiate and professional athletes. His treatments focus on restoring proper body mechanics, facilitating tissue healing, and addressing the “cause” of the injury. He earned his BS in Exercise Science in 1995 and Doctorate from Slippery Rock University in 1998.
In his free-time, Eric enjoys playing many team sports and spending time with his wife and 2 children.
Sarah Mattson | PT, DPT, OCS
Clinical Manager
Orthopedic Certified Specialist
Sarah is a licensed Physical Therapist and Orthopedic Certified Specialist with many years of experience treating orthopedic injuries. She specializes in shoulder rehabilitation and treatment of orthopedic and sports injuries. She graduated from the University of Kansas with a BA in Human Biology while competing as a high jumper for the KU Track and Field team. She received her MS and Doctorate of Physical Therapy from The University of Kansas Medical Center. Her passion is to help patients regain their function and mobility after an injury, resume their hobbies and recreational activities, and gain an understanding of how to continue exercise in a safe and effective way. Sarah and her husband moved to Port Angeles in 2013.
In her free-time, Sarah enjoys playing competitive volleyball, hiking, watching college sports, and exploring the outdoors with her husband and two Welsh Corgis.
Daniel Pitz | PT, DPT
Operations Manager
Daniel was born and raised in Port Angeles graduating from Port Angeles High School in 2011. Following high school, he attended Eastern Washington University and received his bachelors degree in Exercise Science while also playing baseball for the Eastern Washington University Club Team. Daniel then attended Briar Cliff University in Sioux City, IA for his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, graduating in 2019.
Daniel enjoys spending time with his family, playing golf, and coaching baseball in his spare time.
Wendy | PTA
Physical Therapy Assistant
Bio to follow
Amber |
Practice Manager
Amber is a long-time resident of Sequim, graduating from Sequim High School. After graduation she obtained her Master Florist degree from Career Floral Design Institute and worked in the floral industry for many years. She then switched gears and spent the next 12 years working in the dental field, before joining our team in 2016.
In their free time, Amber and her husband enjoy camping, reading, watching movies and spending time with family.
Danielle |
Office Manager
Reception
Danielle moved to Washington from Southern California in October 2020. She loves animals, going out to restaurants with friends, DIY projects and exploring the PNW with her 6-year-old rescue Yorkie, Patty.
Terrie |
Receptionist
Terrie moved from Southern California to the PNW in 1977. She met her husband of 47 years here, they have two sons, ten grandchildren and one great grandson. She started working at Peak Performance Therapy in December 2019 and is happy to be a part of the Peak Team.
Cassandra |
Receptionist
Cassandra is a Central Valley CA transplant who arrived in August of 2021. She studied massage therapy/health education at the National Holistic Institute at the start of the pandemic, and completed the course in January of 2021. Though she did not pursue a career in that field, a love for seeing people receive the help they need remained.