Karen R. Brandon, of Redlands, has been appointed to the Physical
Therapy Board of California.
Dr. Brandon has been Regional Clinical Lead in Pelvic Physical Therapy at Kaiser Permanente
since 2009 and Clinical
Faculty at Loma Linda University since 2000. She was Assistant Director of Physical
Rehabilitation at Beaver Medical
Group from 1998 to 2007. Dr. Brandon was in private practice in the Inland Empire from 2007 to
2009. She is a member
of the board of the International Pelvic Pain Society, has served as the Southwest Regional
Representative for the
Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy, also as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee
chair for the International
Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health, and is a member of California Physical Therapy
Association. She earned
a Master of Science degree in Physical Therapy and a Doctor of Science degree in Physical
Therapy from Loma Linda University.
She is a board–certified clinical specialist in women's health physical therapy.
Dayle C. Armstrong, M.S., P.T., D.P.T., PhD
Vice President
Appointed by the Governor
Assumed Office:
Term Expires:
Dayle C. Armstrong, of San Dimas, has been a Physical Therapist at the
Arcadia Unified School District since 2018
and owner of Armstrong Physical Therapy Practice since 1986. Armstrong is a member of the
American Physical Therapy Association and
Neuro–Developmental Treatment Association. She earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in
rehabilitation sciences from the University of
Medical Sciences Arizona, a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the Western University of
Health Sciences and a Master of Science
degree in physical therapy from the University of Southern California.
Tala Khalaf, PT, DPT, OMPT
Appointed by the Governor
Assumed Office: May 30, 2025
Term Expires: June 1, 2026
Dr. Tala Khalaf has been a Senior Physical Therapist at the Stanford
Orthopedic and Sports Medicine
Physical Therapy Clinic since 2008 and a Faculty Member of the Physical Therapy Residency
Program at Stanford Health Care since 2014. She has served as a Self-Employed Concierge
Physical Therapist since 2017 and is the Co-Founder of PhysioHand, a digital health startup
focused on innovative fascia-based therapies, established in 2020. Dr. Khalaf is a member of
the
American Physical Therapy Association. and Fascial Research Society. She earned her Doctor of
Physical
Therapy degree from Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions and a
Bachelor
of Science in Physical Therapy from The Ohio State University.
Tonia McMillian
Appointed by the Senate Rules Committee
Assumed Office:
Term Expires:
Tonia McMillian is a resident of Compton, CA who was appointed to the Physical Therapy Board on
March 16, 2016.
She is a retired Early Care and Education Provider after 29 years of service. She currently
works part–time for
Black Californians for Early Care and Education, a statewide advocacy organization that centers
its works on Black
Early Educators, Black families, and Black communities. She is the National Secretary for the
Service Employees
International Union African American Caucus. Ms. McMillian was appointed by Governor Gavin
Newsom as the Chair of
the Early Childhood Policy Council Workforce Committee. She is a proud grandmother who continues
to advocate for
early education and children locally, statewide, and on the national platforms.
Samuel Qiu
Appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly
Assumed Office:
Term Expires:
Samuel Qiu, of Sierra Madre, CA was appointed to the Physical Therapy
Board of California by the
Speaker of the Assembly. Qiu has been Chairman of the board of directors of the Asian Business
Association (ABA) since
2007, representing ABA as a member of the city of Los Angeles Metro Transportation Business
Advisory Council, the Caltrans
Statewide Small Business Council, and the Los Angeles Unified School District Small Business
Advisory Counsel. Qiu also
served from 2011 to 2014 as a commissioner of the California Health Facilities Financing
Authority (CHFFA) appointed by
the California Assembly Speaker. Qiu a certified public accountant (CPA) is the founder of QIU
Accountancy Corporation,
having over 30 years of accounting and consulting experience with specialties in healthcare,
transportation not for
profit organization and government.
La Tosha Walden, MPA
Appointed by the Governor
Assumed Office: September 4, 2026
Term Expires: June 1, 2028
La Tosha Walden of San Joaquin County has been appointed to the Physical Therapy Board of California.
Walden brings 29 years of public service experience spanning public safety, violence prevention,
housing stability, and community well‑being.
Walden began her career in San Joaquin County, serving as a Public Safety Officer with both the Sheriff’s
Department and the Probation Department. Her work in these roles established a strong foundation in justice,
accountability, and community protection. She later advanced into leadership positions focused on violence
prevention and housing services, ultimately serving as the Assistant Director of Housing & Homeless
Services for the Stanislaus County Community Services Agency. She retired from county service in March
2026.
Walden holds a Master of Public Administration with a specialization in Organizational Leadership.
Her professional background includes extensive experience in cross‑system collaboration, policy implementation, and programs supporting vulnerable populations.
She is an active member of The Links, Incorporated, Stockton (CA) Chapter, contributing to initiatives
centered on education, civic engagement, and community empowerment. Known for her creativity,
organizational skill, and commitment to service, Walden continues to mentor emerging professionals and
support programs that strengthen families and communities across California.
Vacant
Appointed by the Governor
Assumed Office:
Term Expires:
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? PTBC would like you to consider applying to become a member of the Physical Therapy
Board of California (PTBC).
Board Information: 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 seven active members.
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 on–line application form on the
Governor's website, 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.
