How It All Began

 

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.

 
 
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Our Partners

 
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We Bring Hope

Vision Statement

Compassion Physical Therapy believes that physical therapy changes peoples lives.

Mission Statement

It is our mission to join God where He is already at work through partnering with organizations to establish clinics, provide training, equipment and the salaries of local therapists.

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Our People

 
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Natalie Winblad DPT

Co-Founder / President

  • 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.

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Jeff Bekendam PT

Co-Founder

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Louis Goodwin

Treasurer

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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.

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Eric Martin

Director of Donor Development

Toni Belko

Board Member

  • Toni Belko grew up in Indiana and met her husband, Steve, while attending a college program in Cambridge, England. They have lived in Southern California since 1982 and have been married for 43 years. Together, they raised four sons, each now married, and enjoy the blessings of 14 grandchildren. Toni & Steve are owners of Concordia Supply along with three of their sons.

    Toni's life is marked by her deep faith in Jesus and her passion for serving others. She has long been an active volunteer in her local church, leading Vacation Bible School programs, youth groups, women’s Bible studies, and worship teams. Her joy, warmth, and kindness leave a lasting impression on everyone she meets.

    Since 2002, Toni has dedicated herself to annual mission work in Romania, serving at-risk children through VBS camps, children’s foundations such as Ana si Copiii, and organizations like Teen Challenge and Refuge Romania. Her heart for vulnerable people and communities has also taken her to Kenya and Tanzania each year since 2011, where she & Steve have partnered with Empowering Lives International serving in children’s homes, prison outreach, and entrepreneurial training. Mighty Men Well Drilling was started in 2017 with their son Andrew in Tanzania to bring clean water & Jesus to rural villages in Tanzania. Joysprings school in Nairobi’s Kibera slums is another ministry close to her heart.

    Known for her outgoing personality and love for children, Toni finds joy in caring, playing, and sharing God’s love with young ones, whether her own grandchildren or children across the globe. Her life exemplifies compassion in action—faithful, joyful, and full of grace. As a new board member, Toni is looking forward to contributing to the mission of Compassion Physical Therapy.