- Licensed Physical Therapist (American Physical Therapy Association)
- Spinal Manipulation (Spinal Manipulation Institute – American Academy of Manipulative Therapy)
- Lumbar Spine Level A (McKenzie Institute International)
- Dry Needling Level 1 (Master Dry Needling)
- Lower Extremity Management (Evidence in Motion)
- Management of the Performing Artist (International Association of Dance Medicine and Science)
- CPR Certified (American Heart Association)
- TeamSTEPPS (Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety)
Vania Purpero, PT, DPT, OCS
Vania Purpero, PT, DPT, OCS
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Special Interests
Orthopedics
Sports Medicine
Injury Prevention
Dance Medicine -
Location
University Lake
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Education
Doctor of Physical Therapy (2019)
Ruby B. Dean Physical Therapy Scholarship Recipient; Dean’s List
University of North Texas Health Science Center
Fort Worth, Texas
Bachelor of Science, Exercise Science; Minor in Biology (2014)
Top 20% of College; Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society
The University of Texas at Austin
Austin, Texas
Vania Purpero, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist Vania Purpero holds a doctorate degree in physical therapy and is experienced in a variety of current treatment techniques for restoring function, mitigating disability, and reducing pain. Her methodologies include spinal manipulation, dry needling, blood flow restriction, cupping, and instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization. She practices patient-centered treatment and rehabilitation for performing artists, athletes, and other individuals with musculoskeletal dysfunction.
As dancer and active person herself, she knows the value of high quality, compassionate care and is a true advocate for her patients in achieving their goals.
Ms. Purpero began her career path at the University of Texas at Austin where she graduated Top 20 in her college with a degree in exercise science and a minor in biology. Before pursuing her doctorate, she danced on the University of Texas Dance Team, worked as a physical therapy technician, and led a series of mission trips to Belize with more than 20 high school teenagers, who she mentored as they experienced the value of service. She went on to earn her doctorate in physical therapy from the University of North Texas in Fort Worth, where she had landed a Ruby B. Dean Physical Therapy Scholarship, and did clinical rotations in which she worked with adolescent athletes, professional dancers, geriatric patients, and active adults.
Prior to joining OPA in 2022, Ms. Purpero worked as a dance medicine and sports medicine physical therapist in Dayton, Ohio. She and her husband felt a calling to come North and now both enjoy downhill skiing, ice skating, hiking, biking, and kayaking as well as volunteering and mentoring high school students in Alaska.
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LICENSURE, CERTIFICATIONS & TRAINING
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RESEARCH
Proof-of-Concept Study: Evaluate Temperature and Pressure Monitoring via Regulating Insoles
University of North Texas Health Science Center – Scholarly Project ResearchResearch Topic: Movement Patterns in Dancers
University of North Texas Health Science Center/Texas Ballet Theatre -
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
- American Physical Therapy Association
- Performing Arts Special Interest Group
- International Association of Dance Medicine & Science
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VOLUNTEER / EXTRACURRICULAR WORK
- Camp Counselor & Physical Therapist – summer camp for Native Alaskan high school students. (June 2021 & June 2022)
- Athletes in Action Mentor – for high school students at Xenia High School. (July 2019-2022)
- Bridges of Hope Homeless Outreach Program Volunteer (2019-2022)
- Volunteer for various nonprofits around Fort Worth. (July 2016-May 2019)
- Trip Leader and Student Mentor – for three service trips to Belize. (July 2013-July 2016)
- Choreographer & Performer, University of Texas Dance Team (Aug 2012-May 2015)
Questions?
The OPA team includes Alaska’s leading specialists and offers some of the latest, most advanced treatment procedures available today.
OPA treats a wide variety of conditions and offers comprehensive treatment options — including many non-surgical solutions, minimally invasive arthroscopies (repairs), and total joint replacement.