Instructional Technician for the PTA and OTA Programs

Lance Best has been a Physical Therapist Assistant since 2015 where he worked at St-Luke's Rehabilitation Institute inpatient Brain Injury, Stroke and as a Primary therapist on the Spinal Cord Injury Unit. He has an AA in teaching, Human Resource Management and a BA in Business Leadership and Management. Prior to becoming a PTA, he retired from the United States Air Force where he served various roles to include Avionics Technician on RC-135 aircraft, Master Instructor, First Sergeant, Production Supervisor and Flight Chief.

Assistant to the Dean of Professional Studies, Library, and Workforce Education

Rene Compton, PTA, MSEd – Program Director

Rene Compton has been a physical therapist assistant since 1997, primarily in outpatient orthopedic and home healthcare, and became an athletic trainer in 1986. She began teaching as a guest lecturer in 1998, became full time faculty at SFCC in 2010 and Program Director in 2021. She holds a master’s degree in adult education, bachelor’s in athletic training and education and an AAS from the SFCC physical therapist assistant program. She was named Physical Therapist Assistant of the year in 2017 by the Physical Therapy Association of Washington and served on the Washington State Board of Physical Therapy for 8 years as a member, Vice-Chair and then Chair. Rene enjoys all types of cycling, as well as kayaking, and camping.

Susan Gray, B.S., PT – Laboratory Technician

Susan earned her B.A. from Western Washington University and her B.S. from Eastern Washington University in Physical Therapy.  Susan has been a licensed physical therapist since 1991 and was a Certified Athletic Trainer from 1988 to 2008. She has practiced in outpatient orthopedics throughout the duration of her career. She holds degrees in Exercise Science and Physical Therapy. Susan suffered a massive stroke at the age of 37 in 2004. She has used her personal experiences as a stroke survivor to better relate to the challenges her patients face and to better prepare students for their future careers as Physical Therapist Assistants.

Megan Guthrie-Martinez, PTA, ATC – Director of Clinical Education

Megan has been a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant since 2014 and a Certified Athletic Trainer since 2000. She is a graduate of the Spokane Falls Community College Physical Therapist Assistant program and received her BS in Sports Medicine/Athletic Training from the University of West Florida. She has experience working in many different settings including acute care, outpatient, and professional hockey. She works in the SFCC Physical Therapist Assistant program as faculty, and she is the Director of Clinical Education. Megan enjoys hiking, camping, travelling, and spending time with her family.

Stacey Kent, PTA, B.S. – Adjunct Faculty

Stacey Kent has been a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant since 2017. She is a graduate of the Spokane Falls Community College Physical Therapist Assistant program where she was invited back as an adjunct professor in the program. Stacey continued her education and received her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with a double minor in Communication and Psychology from Western Washington University. Stacey has experience working in many different settings including Inpatient Rehabilitation (with a focus on Spinal Cord Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury, pediatrics, and Stroke diagnoses), Outpatient therapy, as well as Acute Care. In her spare time Stacey enjoys playing volleyball, enjoying the outdoors, spending quality time with friends and family.

Dana McPhee, MS, PT, NCS – Core Faculty

Dana has been a physical therapist since 1993 and a Neurologic Certified Specialist since 2004. She has practiced in rehabilitation, inpatient acute care, and long-term acute care. Her specialty is traumatic brain injury, stroke, and critical care. In addition to being full time core faculty at SFCC, Dana has been an adjunct professor at Eastern Washington University in the physical therapy program and is on the Advisory Board for Whitworth University’s Physical Therapy Program. She holds an MS in Physical Therapy and a BS in Biology. She was given the Award for Clinical Excellence in Neurology by the APTA in 2013. She has had the great opportunity to participate in several international medical missions over the past 13 years. Dana enjoys hiking, cycling, kayaking, running, and spending time with her family and dogs.

Skylor Mitchell, Admin Assistant 2 – Allied Health - OTA/PTA

Skylor has been with Allied Health since December 2022 and is learning the various parts of the PTA and OTA programs. He graduated SFCC in 2013 with an AAS as an Administrative & Computer Specialist. Starting in 2013, Skylor spent nearly 6 years as an Instructional Tech in Business Math here at SFCC. Since leaving Business Math, he has been on a journey gaining administrative knowledge while learning about new programs (PACE/SEER and Head Start) throughout CCS.

Skylor was born and raised in west Spokane and enjoys simply being outside (weather permitting). While outside, he enjoys occasional yard work, gardening (though not a “green thumb”) and landscape/nature photography.

Emily Orne - Clinical Coordinator

Emily is the Allied Health Clinical Coordinator for both the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) and Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) programs at SFCC. She graduated from SCC with a Baking Degree where she became the lead cake decorator and baker for a bakery in Spokane for a few years until making an adjustment to her career ambitions. Emily then attended SFCC and graduated with honors while earning her Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree and becoming a Microsoft Office Specialist Associate.

Animals, sports (hockey, football, baseball, and men's college basketball), crafting, cooking, and baking, are all things Emily absolutely loves.

Amy received a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education from Montana State University in 1990 and her Physical therapy degree from Eastern Washington University in 1983.  Amy has worked for Apex PT since 1994.  She is  board certified in Orthopedics and has built a successful Pelvic Floor program at Apex Physical Therapy.    Amy is actively involved with PTWA where she holds an office position for the Private Practice SIG. She was also the Treasurer for the PTWA Political Action Committee and has served on multiple APTA committees as well.  Amy was born and raised in Montana and enjoys every chance she gets to return to the Big Sky in Montana for hunting, hiking, camping, and riding dirt bikes in the woods.