Meet our Therapists
David Ojeda, DPT, OCS
Dr. Ojeda graduated from the University of Southern California with a bachelor's degree in Kinesiology. While at USC, he was a student-athlete competing on the men's track & field team as a distance runner. After taking 2 years off to compete, he returned to USC to attend its preeminent program through the Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy as a doctoral candidate.
Upon graduating with honors, Dr. Ojeda worked in an orthopedic and sports medicine clinic where he honed his skills and eventually earned the highly-regarded Board Certified Specialty in Orthopedics (OCS). As an American PT Association Credentialed Clinical Instructor, he has provided years of clinical instruction and mentorship to Doctoral candidates during their physical therapy education. Further, he is a mentor for USC's residency program that aims to transform clinicians into advanced practitioners. Dr. Ojeda is also a certified running gait analyst, helping runners get back to running and to avoid future injuries. He is also involved with the California Physical Therapy Association where he has volunteered his time as the Los Angeles District Treasurer and Assembly Representative.
Combining over 16 years of clinical experience with a passion for movement science and physical health, Dr. Ojeda provides a patient-centered approach to treatment. With his extensive educational background, Division I athletic experience, orthopedic specialty, and emphasis on patient care, Dr. David Ojeda possesses a unique perspective on the rehabilitation and sports medicine world.
John Chao, DPT, OCS
Dr. Chao received his Bachelor’s of Science in Kinesiology and a minor in Biology from the University of Texas at Austin. He then went on to receive his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Southern California.
Immediately upon graduation, Dr. Chao began the year long Orthopedic Clinical Residency program at USC. During his residency, he was a faculty member teaching at the physical therapy graduate program, attended numerous continuing education courses, performed patient rounds with Orthopedic surgeons at USC University Hospital, and worked at the USC faculty practice treating patients and participated in their mentorship program. Dr. Chao then received his Board Certification in Orthopedics Specialty upon completion of his residency.
Dr. Chao has been working in Santa Monica, California for the past 14 years treating a variety of patients of all ages. He began a student internship program with the USC Physical Therapy School and serves as the Center Coordinator for Clinical Education. He has been a clinical instructor to many aspiring physical therapy students. He has thoroughly enjoyed establishing many wonderful relationships with the referring physicians and patients that he has had the pleasure of working with.
Dr. Chao enjoys spending time with his family when he is not working in the clinic. He is also very active working out at the gym, playing golf, tennis, and softball in his spare time.
Rebecca Pedras, DPT, OCS
Dr. Rebecca Pedras graduated from the University of San Francisco with a bachelor's degree in Kinesiology and a minor in Spanish. She went on to earn her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Miami. After completing her graduate program, Dr. Pedras was accepted into the University of Southern California’s Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency Program. This residency program focused mostly on turning therapists into advanced clinicians and becoming board-certified experts in orthopedic physical therapy. Her residency experience included serving an orthopedic patient population with mentorship from expert clinicians and orthopedic surgeons, participating in research, instructing doctoral students in USC’s DPT program, and completing advanced continuing education courses in a variety of areas. Upon graduating from this prestigious program that accepts only a handful of top candidates per year, Dr. Pedras joined an exclusive club of orthopedic therapists. Since then, she sat for and passed her OCS examination making her a Board Certified Specialist in Orthopedics.
Dr. Rebecca Pedras is currently pursuing her certification in Pilates so that she can integrate a whole-body movement approach into her patients’ plans of care. In her free time, she enjoys slack-lining, playing volleyball, swimming, and hiking. She also has a passion for improving her Spanish and has plans to visit every country in Latin America.
Chad Sticher, DPT, OCS
Dr. Chad Sticher was born and raised in Southern California. He earned his Bachelor's in Science in Kinesiology/Exercise Science at California State University of Northridge in 2015. During his time there he was able to participate in research projects and got experience working with and providing adaptive exercise for individuals with various neurological deficits in the Brown Center of Achievement.
Chad attended the University of the Pacific for physical therapy school and graduated with his Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2019. Following PT school, Chad completed a yearlong orthopedic residency with Kaiser Permanente where he was able to further his knowledge and skills. After completing his residency, he became board-certified as an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist which designates him as an advanced practitioner in orthopedics.
Chad grew up playing a variety of sports including volleyball, basketball, and football. His experience with sports is what lead him to pursue a career related to physical activity. During his early experiences in the field volunteering and working as a PT aide, he learned to fall in love with the rehab process and helping people in their path to recovery. In his free time, he likes to play volleyball and basketball as well as spending time with his friends and girlfriend. He loves to root on his LA Dodgers and is a die-hard Lakers fan.
Eric Zhang, DPT, CSCS
Dr. Eric Zhang graduated from Boston University where he received his bachelor’s degree in Health Studies, and then his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. During that time, he was a part of the school’s volleyball and baseball teams, and worked at the fitness center as a personal trainer and group instructor. Eric was also an intern for BU’s Athletics department, where he collaborated with strength coaches to train NCAA Division I student athletes in softball, lacrosse, and rowing. After completing the internship, he obtained his certification as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS).
For his final practicum project, Eric worked with a mentor specializing in functional medicine to publish an online manual outlining a holistic injury prevention program for collegiate baseball players. His research sought to emphasize interventions in multiple areas including exercise, nutrition, sleep, and mental health.
Eric’s own experiences and injuries as an athlete are what drove him to become a physical therapist so that others can understand the benefits of exercise not only for fitness, but also for preventing injury. Having recently moved to the west coast, Eric is excited to explore the area and enjoys beach volleyball, country music, and playing guitar in his free time.
Carlos Gonzalez, DPT, OCS, FGS, CAFS
Dr. Carlos Gonzalez was born and raised in Southern California. He earned his undergraduate degree in Exercise Science from California Lutheran University in 2020. His interest in physical therapy developed after undergoing knee injuries, which exposed him to various rehabilitation approaches and the significant impact physical therapy can have on an individual's recovery and quality of life. Throughout his coursework, he gained clinical experience with a range of orthopedic, sports, post-operative, and neurologic populations.
Dr. Gonzalez’s interests include orthopedic and sports rehabilitation, sports performance, and functional movement. He is a Functional Golf Specialist and holds a certification in Applied Functional Science and 3D MAPS, which allows him to focus on functional strengthening and mobility-based exercises. Further, he integrates the principles of three-dimensional movement to emphasize patterns that mimic everyday activities and enhance overall performance.
He is passionate about optimizing recovery outcomes for his patients through evidence-based treatments and individualized care plans. In his free time, Dr. Gonzalez enjoys playing basketball and baseball, owns two businesses, volunteers with the Angel City Football Club’s medical team, supports the Lakers and Dodgers, and loves to travel.
Ernest John Generoso, OTR/L
Ernest John Generoso, OTR/L, was born in Syracuse, New York; however, he spent his early childhood in the Philippines before growing up in Southern California. These experiences shaped his cultural perspective and adaptability.
He earned his Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Exercise Science from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona where he developed a strong foundation in human movement, biomechanics, and rehabilitation science. He later relocated to Mesa, Arizona to complete his Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at A.T. Still University. During graduate school, he gained valuable clinical experience in hand therapy and neurology, further refining his passion for upper extremity rehabilitation.
Since graduation, he has worked in multiple hand therapy clinics specializing in the treatment of upper extremity injuries. His clinical expertise includes working with individuals experiencing fractures, nerve injuries, arthritis, and repetitive strain conditions, as well as those recovering from upper extremity surgery. Through skilled manual therapy, targeted therapeutic exercises/activities, and patient education, he focuses on restoring strength, mobility, and function while helping patients safely return to work, sport, and daily activities.
He aspires to obtain his Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) credential and remains committed to delivering high-quality, evidence-based care.
Outside of the clinic, he enjoys traveling, playing golf, attending music events, exploring new food spots, photography, supporting all Los Angeles sports teams, and spending time with his two French bulldogs.
Corey Ito, DPT
Dr. Corey Ito earned his Bachelor of Science in Human Physiology with a minor in Business from Gonzaga University before completing his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at the University of Southern California. Originally from Portland, Oregon, Dr. Ito developed a passion for sports and movement at a young age through basketball, soccer, and tennis. During his time at USC, Dr. Ito further developed his interest in sports performance through experiences volunteering at the LA Marathon medical tent, assisting with triathlete performance testing, and participating in professional development opportunities focused on movement analysis and athletic performance. His clinical experience included treating a wide range of orthopedic and sports-related injuries, giving him experience working with patients across various activity levels and backgrounds.
Dr. Ito's clinical interests include orthopedic rehabilitation, sports medicine, injury prevention, and helping patients move with greater confidence. He believes successful rehabilitation is built on individualized care, patient education, and evidence-based treatment, empowering each person to take an active role in their recovery. He enjoys helping patients return to the activities that matter most to them, whether that's competing in sports, staying active, or simply moving comfortably in everyday life.
Outside of the clinic, Dr. Ito enjoys strength training, playing basketball, exploring new restaurants and coffee shops, and rooting on his favorite teams, including the Los Angeles Chargers, Golden State Warriors, and Juventus FC.
Dr. Ito is passionate about continuing to grow as a clinician through lifelong learning and advanced orthopedic education, with the goal of becoming an Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist (OCS). He is committed to providing the highest quality care to every patient he works with.
Isabele Magbanua, OTD, OTR/L
Isabele is a Southern California native from Carson and earned her bachelor's degree from the University of California, San Diego before completing her Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) degree at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.
Driven by a passion for advocacy and service, she chose GW because of its emphasis on leadership and health policy. During graduate school, she volunteered at the White House Easter Egg Roll, met with legislators on Capitol Hill to advocate for expanded telehealth services and the EMPOWER Act, and worked with Ukrainian soldiers receiving upper-extremity prosthetic rehabilitation.
Isabele discovered her passion for hand therapy during a clinical rotation at a specialized hand therapy clinic in Utah. She was inspired by the meaningful impact hand therapy has on helping people regain independence and return to the activities they love. She is committed to providing personalized, evidence-based care and hopes to become a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) in the future.
Outside of the clinic, Isabele enjoys traveling and immersing herself in different cultures. She recently completed a 2 month solo backpacking trip through Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand, where she also presented her doctoral research at the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) Congress in Bangkok. Some of Isabele's favorite travel memories include hiking two active volcanoes in Indonesia, snorkeling coral reefs in the Philippines, riding through northern Vietnam on the back of a motorcycle, and enjoying a 13-stop street food tour in Bangkok. In her free time, she enjoys attending music festivals, exploring vintage clothing shops, hiking scenic trails in national parks, and embracing new adventures.