A Message From Steve
Rehab Essentials began 20 years ago with a simple but powerful idea:
Raise the standard of physical therapy education by offering high-quality, affordable, remote-access programs for working clinicians.
So, we partnered with leading experts, and created a best-in-class post-professional DPT (ppDPT) program that set the bar for accessible, affordable, professional advancement.
Since then, technology has evolved significantly—and so have we. Our programs now span hybrid, flipped classroom, and 100% online distance learning models. What started with physical therapy has grown to include doctoral-level education in Physical Therapy (ppDPT/ entry-level enTandem DPT SM) and Occupational Therapy (ppOTD), delivered in collaboration with dozens of universities and educators across the country and around the world.
But one thing hasn’t changed.
Our commitment to you is stronger than ever.
You’re the reason we’re here:
To help you succeed in distance education.
We’ve built an incredible team of expert educators, healthcare professionals, and content creators to develop and deliver exceptional distance learning and hybrid graduate education solutions.
Solutions that create access for more students around the world. Solutions that create better clinicians and practitioners. Solutions that improve the health of communities.
Ultimately, solutions that create and empower opportunities—for universities, organizations, and their students.
Steve Tepper, Founder
PT, PhD, FAPTA
Our Mission & Values
At Rehab Essentials, we believe education should empower—not exclude. That’s why we build programs that reflect the complexity of life and the clarity of purpose. Grounded in integrity, informed by expertise, and designed for access.
Our mission is to lead, connect, and elevate rehabilitation professionals around the world.
We design and deliver exceptional learning experiences—curated by thought leaders and shaped by the real-world needs of today’s institutions, organizations, and working professionals. Our approach is rigorous, flexible, and intentionally built for learners and leaders who are committed to meaningful impact.
Our commitment is to educate with care, lead with acumen, and create lasting opportunity through the power of distance learning.
We value purposeful change: the kind that opens doors, strengthens communities, and advances the healing professions as a whole. Through globally accessible, expert-led pedagogy, we are expanding what’s possible—and enabling people to reach it.
Our Leadership
Steve Tepper
PT, PhD, FAPTA
President & Founder
Jennifer Gamboa
PT, DPT. OCS
COO
Kelson Colbo
PT, DPT
CIO
Cheryl Cassaly
MBA
CMO
Our Experts
Sharon Dunn
Mike Emery
Jody Frost
Karen Huhn
Frances Kistner
Robbie Leonard
John “Jake” Mischke
Terry Nordstrom
Mike Osler
Rob Tillman
Lisa VanHoose
Laurel Abbruzzese
Jen Gamboa
Emily Lawyer
Rupal M Patel
Charlene Portee
Mary Blackinton
Bill Boissonnault
Jill Boissonnault
Vanessa Brockhouse
Larry Cahalin
Angela Campbell
Charles Ciccone
Sheila Clemens
Amanda Clifton
Deborah Constantine
Laurie Fitz
Dan Hakim
Penny Head
John Kiesel
Katelin King
Melissa Lazinski
Carole Lewis
Rebecca Martin
Joseph McCulloch
Lynn McKinnis
Nia Mensah
Jodi Miller
Karen Mueller
Ken Olson
Roberta O’Shea
Wendy Romney
Lindsey Schilberg
Mark Shepherd
Eric Stewart
Ellen Wruble
Gad Alon
Fabrisia Ambrosio
Daniel Bodkin
Tami Boudreaux
Sue Cecere
Michael Lebec
Lucinda “Cindy” Pfalzer
Shane Reybold
Susan Ryerson
Denise Swensen
Steve Tepper
Steve Ambler
Gail Jensen
