In 2011, Jeff was challenged to take his skills to a hospice hospital in a rural village in eastern Kenya. A trip was planned and Jeff, Natalie and Jeff's daughter Alex went to the Living Room (a hospice hospital) and saw first hand how physical therapy could help so many in need. At the conclusion of that trip, Compassion PT was born and the dreaming began.
We Bring Hope
Compassion Physical Therapy holds the belief that physical therapy should be available to all populations of people. It is our desire to bring hope and touch lives in impoverished areas around the world where physical therapy is not available.
It is our foundation’s desire to join God where He is already at work and partner with established organizations to set up clinics, provide training, equipment and pay the salaries of local therapists. A lofty goal…yes, but we’re up for it with your help.
Jeff Bekendam PT
Co-Founder / President
Natalie Winblad DPT
Co-Founder / Director of Clinical Relations
Natalie grew up in Southern California and attended Azusa Pacific University for undergrad and Western University of Health Sciences for graduate school, receiving her doctorate in physical therapy. She currently lives in Upland California with her two daughters, Jordan and Scotti, and her husband, Eric. Natalie works as a physical therapist at Team Physical Therapy in Rancho Cucamonga specializing in outpatient orthopedics and sports medicine.
She enjoys anything outside. Natalie spends most of her time hiking, camping, snowboarding, and running around with her daughters. Her passion for non profit physical therapy work was initially ignited while in undergrad where she traveled to places like Cambodia, Nigeria, and India to teach biology and physical therapy care. After she finished her doctorate in 2012, she traveled with Jeffrey Bekendam, her colleague and co founder, to Kenya to provide trainings for staff at the Living Room hospice. It was there that the two saw the immense need for physical therapy for children and adults in the community. After that trip, the non profit Compassion Physical Therapy was born. CPT is a non profit that provides physical therapy in impoverished areas of the world that would otherwise not have access to physical therapy. They do that by raising funds that primarily go to sponsor the salaries of in country physical therapists to provide PT, for wound care supplies, PT equipment, and also planting of physical therapy clinics. Since 2012, CPT has grown to offer support and care in four continents at 5 locations.
Eric Martin
Director of Donor Development
Gina Bekendam
Treasurer
Louis Goodwin
Director of Clinical and Professional Development
Jan Higa
Secretary
Jan brings to the Compassion Physical Therapy board years of experience in general administration. She retired from TEAM Physical Therapy having served 15 years as Director of Operations. She received her BA in Sociology from San Diego State University. That, combined with a minor in business management, served her well dealing with people and strategic business decisions throughout her career. Having grown up in South America, Jan has a special appreciation for and understanding of working cross- culturally. Being involved in providing access to quality physical therapy outside of the United States is an opportunity she holds close to her heart.
