Marcus R. Neal

PT, DPT, OCS, COMT

Desert Palms Owner

Dr. Marcus Neal grew up in Phoenix, Arizona with an interested mind and a penchant for learning. He completed his Bachelor’s of Science with a major in Kinesiology from Arizona State University in 2003. He went on to earn his Doctor of Physical Therapy at Northern Arizona University in 2006. Soon after graduation Marcus joined Desert Palms Physical Therapy in Tucson, Arizona. Marcus has continued his education while in practice completing his Certified Orthopedic Manipulative Therapist (COMT) with North American Institute of Orthopedic Manual Therapy in 2014 and Orthopedic Certified Specialist (OCS) in 2016. Marcus became owner of Desert Palms Physical Therapy in 2014. He became a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic and Manual Physical Therapists (FAAOMPT) in 2020. He is now working towards a degree in advanced manual therapy and clinical research; DScPT from Andrews University. Marcus now focuses his time on teaching and clinical education of learning physical therapists while continuing direct patient care and clinical research.

Noah Abrahams

PT, DPT

Dr. Noah spent his early years in San Diego and abroad in Tokyo, and has been in love with seeing the sights of the world his entire life. As an avid athlete, Noah’s dream of attending a storied basketball college came true, and he will always cherish his time at Indiana University. There he earned a Bachelors of Science in Public Management and a minor in Kinesiology.

After earning his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from A.T. Still University’s School of Osteopathic Medicine in Mesa, AZ, Noah spent time in Australia working with a professional Aussie-rules Football team as well as the AIDI (Australian International Dance Institute). He eventually moved to Tucson and worked as a PT in a hospital ER. There his eyes were opened to badly broken parts of our medical system. He saw the troubling consequences of opioid abuse, injections that masked patients’ pain, and ineffective, unnecessary surgeries that opened the door to future complications. In many cases these patients had never tried Physical Therapy.

At the same time, Noah was studying to learn some new techniques which he put into place resulting in tremendous outcomes. He realized his calling to put those skills to use helping people BEFORE they went down the path of pills, injections, or surgery, and he wasn’t going to be able to do that in the Emergency Room.

Dr. Abrahams opened a practice out of his own home and was so busy that he knew he had to get an office and find other therapists that shared his vision. Phil Tygiel had been helping people for decades with their pain, and he was looking for the right person to take over his clinic – the one we are in today. Noah told Phil his vision for the future and Dr. Tygiel knew that Noah was the right person to succeed him.

Noah shares his love of world travel, musical theater, and college basketball with his amazing wife, Mel. They have three of the cutest weiner dogs on the planet: Winston (Winnie-Pie), Wilbur (ras-ba-dooby) and Walter (wally, Wallace, walty, wally-bean). They are so thrilled to live in a town as amazing as Tucson. Even though his position is still considered “work”, Noah still has a passion for educating people about how to live a better quality of life. When not in the office, Noah spends many of his free weekends giving seminars for powerlifting gyms, Crossfit gyms, and other community partners.

Kristen Ayres

PT, DPT, COMT

Foothills Clinic Director

Dr. Kristen Ayres attended Northern Arizona University, where she received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2017. Kristen has experience treating patients at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, AZ, including those with debilitating conditions such as end-stage cancer, Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, traumatic brain injuries, cerebrovascular accidents, as well as a variety of post-operative orthopedic surgeries. As a former collegiate club soccer player, Kristen is passionate about rehabilitating musculoskeletal injuries. Kristen aims to provide high-quality, hands-on care by mobilizing/manipulating joints to relieve pain for her patients. Kristen plans to advance her manual therapy knowledge in pursuit of her CMPT, COMT, and FAAOMPT with the North American Institute of Orthopedic Manual Therapy. Regardless of the condition, Kristen is committed to providing a personalized, patient-centered, and evidence-based approach to recovery.

• Doctor of Physical Therapy – Northern Arizona University – 2017
• Bachelor of Science: Exercise Science – Creighton University – 2013

Brandon Blauser

PT, DPT, OCS, COMT

Oro Valley Clinic Director

Dr. Brandon Blauser grew up in the small town of Oracle, Arizona where he developed his love of all things outdoors and sports. For most of his life he participated in soccer and endurance sports, but now mostly enjoys spending time with his family +2 dogs, gardening, and casually exercising in his free time. ​

He attended The University of Arizona where he graduated in 2014 with a BS in Public Health and minor in Spanish. From there he moved to Austin, Texas where he received his doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of St.
Augustine in 2017. He has been practicing as an outpatient Physical Therapist in Tucson since then and specializes in all orthopedic conditions, and is a board certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist since 2020.​

Daniel Norkiewicz

PT, DPT, MTC, CSCS

Dr. Dan Norkiewicz is a Doctor of Physical Therapy with 30 years of clinical experience. He received his bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts from The University of Pittsburgh, a Master’s in Physical Therapy from Slippery Rock University and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine in 2010. Dr. Norkiewicz is a certified Manual Therapist, as well as a certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the NSCA. He continually participates in extensive continuing education to expand his skills and extend options for patient care.

Dr. Norkiewicz is originally from Pittsburgh, PA where he directed several orthopedic outpatient sports medicine clinics, staffed skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies and private practices. He strives to integrate patient goals with an understanding of balancing the body to maintain results. Dr. Norkiewicz chooses to stay in the clinic because he enjoys helping to guide and empower people get their lives back.

He also enjoys mountain biking, hiking, yoga, live music and exploring this world with his wife​

Benjamin Pierce

PT, DPT, COMT

Dr. Benjamin Pierce graduated in 2020 with a doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Michigan-Flint. Benjamin loves helping people, and he became a Physical Therapist to help people live their best lives. Benjamin joined Desert Palms because of their focus on mentoring and clinical excellence.

Benjamin enjoys running, basketball, soccer, volleyball, hiking, reading, and spending time with his family​

Michael Hawaka

PT, COMT

Dr. Michael Hawaka knew from the beginning he wanted to go into the Physical Therapy field after suffering a couple injuries in high school while wrestling. He attended physical therapy at a local clinic entering the program at Ithaca College graduating in 1992 with his PT degree.​

After his first 3 years in an acute rehab hospital, he worked as a traveling therapist all across the Western US allowing him to work with many great therapists and seeing a variety of clinics. He then settled primarily in the Pacific Northwest where he continued working in outpatient PT. In 2019 he moved down to Prescott
Valley and now in Oro Valley to allow better access to mountain biking and riding his motorcycle.​

Michael has a very eclectic approach to physical therapy reflecting his variety of experiences and training in multiple continuing education courses over the nearly 30 years of his career. Getting patients back to their maximum level of function is his focus and will always put forth maximum effort to achieve their goals. ​

When not working he can be found on one of the local trails, curvy highways, or visiting his family in Mesa. ​

Hilary Heskett

PT, DPT, COMT

Dr.Hilary attended the University of Montana and received her bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and minor in Gerontology. She then attended Pacific University where she received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2018. Hilary began her career working in the outpatient hospital setting and gained experience treating patients with post-operative, orthopedic, spine, neurological, and vestibular conditions.​

Born and raised in the Rocky Mountains of Montana, Hilary grew up enjoying a variety of outdoor recreational activities including hiking, backpacking, downhill and Nordic skiing, running, and cycling. She was inspired to become a Physical Therapist to assist others in achieving optimal function to pursue their own interests and fulfillment.​

Hilary is passionate about treating the whole person and promoting overall wellness. She aims to provide quality manualtherapy and individualized rehabilitation programs that allow patients to attain their functional and recreational goals. Hilary values pursuit of education opportunities to continue to develop and grow her skills throughout her career.​

Hilary moved to Tucson in 2018. She enjoys running, cycling, skiing, hiking, yoga, Pilates, swimming, cooking, and live music.​

Michael Pritzl

PTA

Michael graduated from Pima Medical Institute in 2013 with an associate’s degree in Physical Therapy Assistant. Michael discovered his passion for physical therapy while working with his clients as a personal trainer in Wisconsin. Michael joined Desert Palms because of their targeted approach as well as their mentoring and continuing education opportunities. Michael brings a broad background of exercise knowledge to our team.​

Cathy Blanchard, LMT

Massage

Cathy Blanchard graduated from the Western Institute of Neuromuscular Therapy in 2011. She holds a dual license as a Massage Therapist in Arizona and California. Her massage therapy sessions are a personalized approach to client specific needs with an emphasis on relaxation and rejuvenation. Her specialties include: Neuromuscular Therapy, Hot Stone Therapy, Shiatsu, Deep Tissue, Trigger Point, Swedish, Sports, and Prenatal/Postpartum massage. Cathy enjoys music, hiking, horseback riding and yoga. ​

Kevyn Reynolds, LMT

Massage

I have been a LMT (Licensed Massage Therapist) for 7 years and graduated from Cortiva Institute in 2014. Initially enrolled in the 750 hour program, I wanted to increase to the 1000 hour program because of how intriguing holistic therapies are for me.​

As a young adult entering my 20s, I decided to move to Las Vegas to pursue the entertainment field. After practices and shows we would all be so wiped out. I then realized that I wanted to be a body worker and not someone that uses their body intensely for work. I returned to Arizona and entered the Cortiva Institute of Massage Therapy program. I found affinity for the deeper aspect of massage, blood flow and circulation to ischemic tissues, deep stretching, muscle energy techniques, and trigger point therapy to list a few! Also, in my world there is no set technique or flow. Each session is unique to the day and specific needs of the body in that moment in time. My absolute favorite is getting rid of headaches and neck and shoulder pain. Although, targeting trigger points and adhered muscle tissue anywhere in the body I find favorable work.

There’s a competition in Denmark for the best massage therapist in the world, and one day I plan on competing in that competition and seeing if the style of massage I’ve created is worthy of a title!

Please feel free to come and see me for a therapeutic massage session here at Desert Palms Physical Therapy. I look forward to helping you achieve your health goals in recovery.