Board Members
Governor Appointments
Senate Rule Committee Appointment
Speaker of the Assembly Appointment
How and Why to Become a Board Member
Governor Appointments
Debra J. Alviso, PT, DPT, OCS – Board President
Assumed Office: October 6, 2006
Term Expires: June 1, 2013
Dr. Alviso of Fresno received her reappointment to the Board in May 2010. Dr. Alviso has served on the Board since October 2006. In 1990, she established New Horizon Physical Therapy where she practices as a physical therapist. She is a member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy and has been a member of the American Physical Therapy Association since 1984. Dr. Alviso earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy from California State University, Fresno and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Rocky Mountain University in Provo, Utah. Dr. Alviso earned her designation as an Orthopedic Certified Specialist in 1994.
Martha Jewell, PT,Ph.D – Board Vice President
Assumed Office: October 2006
Term Expires: June 1, 2014
Dr. Jewell of Brentwood in Contra Costa County received her appointment to the Board in October 2006. In addition to her degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Colorado, she holds a Ph.D in Anatomy from the University of South Dakota. She is Professor Emeritus at Samuel Merritt College in Oakland, where she was the founding chair of the Physical Therapy Program. Dr. Jewell had previously been on the faculty of Mount St. Mary's College, Stanford University, the University of Southern California and the Chicago Medical School. She was also a physical therapist in several settings including Ocean Park Orthopedic and Sports Therapy. She began her physical therapy career in Upland, California at San Antonio Community Hospital.
Donald A. Chu, Ph.D., PT, ATC, CSCS
Assumed Office: November 2010
Term Expires: June 1, 2012
Donald Chu is currently the Director of the Athercare Fitness and Rehabilitation Clinic in Castro Valley, California. He serves as adjunct faculty to the Ohlone College Physical Therapist Assistant program in Newark, California. He is a past President of the NSCA and has served on the Board of Directors of the NATA. He is a member of the Hall of Fame for the National Athletic Trainer's Association, Strength and Conditioning Coaches and California State University, Hayward Athletic Hall of Fame.
Sara Takii, PT, DPT, MPA
Assumed Office: October 2006
Term Expires: June 1, 2014
Dr. Takii of Bakersfield ~ Kern County received her appointment to the Board in October, 2006. She is the owner of Southcoast Physical Therapy, established in 1983 in Bakersfield and Western Physical Therapy, established in 1981 in Taft, California. Dr. Takii received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Temple University, currently specializes in Aquatic Therapy and has vast experience in many areas of rehabilitation. She is also certified to perform Functional Capacity Evaluations and has been developing job descriptions for industry for over 20 years. Dr. Takii earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy from The Ohio State University and a Master of Public Administration degree from California State University, Long Beach.
Senate Rules Committee Appointment
Carol Wallisch, MA, MPH, Public Member
Assumed Office: September 1, 2011
Term Expires: June 1, 2015
Carol Wallisch of Sacramento retired from state service in 2008 after serving for 14 years as Assemblymember, later Senator, Sheila Kuehl's chief of staff. Previously, she served as principal consultant to the Assembly Human Services Committee and as office manager in Assemblymember Tom Bates' district office. She also worked as a psychometrist in Humboldt State University's Testing Center and as a social worker for the elderly and disabled in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. Ms. Wallisch received her AB degree in Anthropology from the University of California, Berkeley, her MA in Psychology from Humboldt State University, and her MPH in Health Policy and Planning from the University of California, Berkeley.
Speaker of the Assembly Appointment
James E. Turner, MPA, Public Member
Assumed Office: June 2007
Term Expires: June 1, 2015
Mr. Turner of Rancho Murrieta received his appointment to the Board in June 2007. Mr. Turner previously served as a Governor Appointed Board Member for the PTBC during 2003 and 2005. He has served in a number of capacities including: Senior Consultant to the Calf. Assembly Committee on Governmental Organization; Assistant Chief Administrative Officer of the Calif. State Assembly; Chief Consultant to the Calif. State Assembly Committee on Education; and as a Gubernatorial appointee as Executive Director of the Calif. State Allocation Board. Mr. Turner received a Bachelor of Political Science Degree from the College of Wooster, Ohio and a Masters of Government/Public Administration Degree from the Calif. State University, Sacramento.
How and Why to Become a Board Member
As a physical therapist (PT) have you ever wondered how you can give back to your profession and help shape the future of Physical Therapy? Do you know a non-physical therapist interested in public service, who doesn't know how to begin the process? The PTBC would like you to consider applying to become a member of the Physical Therapy Board of California (PTBC).
Board Information: The PTBC is comprised of seven (7) members appointed by the Governor, Speaker of the Assembly, and the Senate Rules Committee.
- The Governor appoints the four professional members and one public member
- The Speaker of the Assembly appoints one public member
- The Senate Rules Committee appoints one public member
Members are appointed to serve a four-year term, plus a one-year grace period. A member cannot exceed two full terms.
Board Status: Currently, there are six active members and one vacancy.
The Board meets four times per year, plus a strategic planning meeting. There may also be additional committee and task force meetings. Members also conduct business with staff via mail. The meetings themselves are usually 1-2 days.
What does it take to be a great board member? It takes an interest in making a difference, a willingness and commitment to actively participate in the process, a lot of patience, courage to voice your opinion (even when it's unpopular), knowing when to compromise, and ability to see all sides of an issue to form an objective opinion. You also need freedom in your schedule to attend meetings around the state.
So, how does one apply to become a member?
- Professional members (PT's) can access the application on the Governor's website at www.gov.ca.gov/, (then select "appointments", "serving in the administration"...then you'll see the on-line application form.) OR, you can call or write the Governor's office, appointment secretary, to indicate your interest.
- Public members can also apply using the above website, or contact their state Senator or Assemblyman.
Once you've applied, you'll be contacted for an interview, and the final selection will be made. If you have further questions about being a board member, please visit the Department of Consumer Affairs website at www.dcaboardmembers.ca.gov!
