Meet the Team
At Physical Therapyworks, we combine science with grit and compassion. Our methods are rooted in evidence-based practice: research, collaborative clinical experience and patient preference. We are passionately committed to a holistic, effective and sustainable approach to recovery and overall health.
John Dravillas
PT, OCS, MTC, CCI
Founder and director of Physical Therapyworks, PTWorks+, and our Post-Professional Orthopedic Residency Program.
It was John’s lifelong dream to open a physical therapy clinic that provided exceptional, personalized care, with highly-skilled physical therapists. So he started Physical Therapyworks over twenty five years ago, where we combine a strong scientific background, evidence-based practice and a compassionate, progressive approach that brings patients the most advanced, reliable and effective evaluations and treatments available.
John received his physical therapy education at Washington University, which is consistently ranked among the top physical therapy programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, and was the pioneer in movement-focused physical therapy education, research and treatment. He is a Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist, a Certified Manual Therapist, and a Certified DNS Exercise Trainer.
During John's professional education, he had the opportunity to shadow renowned orthopedist, John Itamura, M.D. for over seven years to further his clinical understanding and skills in regard to shoulder and elbow dysfunction. John has been a mentor at the renowned USC Post Professional Orthopedic Residency Program for over 20 years, and was recently nominated for the Henry O. and Florence P. Kendall Practice Award.
Michelle Bukhman
PT, DPT
Staff Physical Therapist
Michelle earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Azusa Pacific University in 2024, after completing her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology at California State University Northridge (CSUN) in 2021.
Her interest in physical therapy began when she saw how much it helped her grandmother—giving her the tools for mobility and independence. Inspired by that experience, Michelle hopes to create the same kind of positive impact in her patients' lives that her grandmother’s therapist made in hers.
As a DPT student, Michelle and her colleagues published a study on children and adolescents with cerebral palsy. She has worked with a wide range of patients, from post-surgical cases and stroke survivors to marathon runners returning to sport.
Michelle strives to provide patient-centered care and uses the best available research to support her patients in achieving their goals.
In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, baking, and exploring the city.
Maya Zelcer
PTA, BS
Physical Therapist Assistant
Maya graduated from UC Santa Cruz in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science degree in M.C.D Biology. While there, she was the captain of the water polo team and after recovering from her own injuries, she fell in love with Physical Therapy. She first officially entered the PT world as an aide and worked for 3 years in an aquatic physical therapy clinic. The covid-19 pandemic encouraged Maya to go back to school so she could make a more meaningful impact on the individuals she treats. She graduated from CBD College with academic honors in 2022 and received her licensure as a Physical Therapist Assistant. She also became the first Student PTA chair for the CA Student Special Interest Group, working alongside the CPTA to advocate for the PT profession. Maya has worked with a variety of different patient populations ranging from those with orthopedic to neurologic conditions. She is excited to be part of the Physical Therapyworks team and loves helping people reach their recovery goals.
In her free time, Maya loves hiking, swimming and finding the best coffee and pastry spots in town.
Brit Hirsch
PTA, BA, RYT-200
Physical Therapist Assistant, Clinic Linchpin
Brit completed the two-year Physical Therapist Assistant program at CBD College and earned her PTA license in 2025. She previously received her B.A. in Sociology from UC Berkeley in 2013, but after spending a few years behind a desk she realized she missed being active and working directly with people. In 2018, she made a career change and became a PT aide at Physical Therapyworks, as well as a personal trainer, and yoga instructor—where she reignited her passion for movement and rehabilitation.
Now in her role as a PTA, Brit brings a strong foundation in therapeutic exercise, drawing on six years of experience teaching movement along with her expertise in yoga alignment and Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS) principles to help patients improve posture, core stability, and movement efficiency.
At Physical Therapyworks, Brit works hand in hand with the physical therapists to create personalized treatment plans and help patients not only recover but also understand how their bodies work in relation to their rehab goals. She also leads the DNS small group fitness class, guiding participants to connect breath with core stability and apply therapeutic principles to everyday movement and strength.
In her free time, Brit loves lifting weights and doing yoga.
Luck Ong
BA
Office Administrator
Luck Ong is the Office Administrator at Physical Therapyworks and will always welcome and greet you with a smile. She genuinely loves to make everyone whom she meets feel right at home and valued. It is in her DNA to go out of her way to be helpful and accommodating towards all.
Luck is a native Southern Californian, a longtime resident of beautiful Santa Monica, and she cannot imagine living anywhere else. She is a proud graduate from UCLA with a Bachelors of Arts degree. After college, Luck went on to have successful and lengthy careers in the banking, airline, and automotive industries prior to entering healthcare. She has been happily helping patients for over 25 years and counting. Throughout her entire career, Luck has always held positions where excellent customer service is a must and a top priority. She truly enjoys greeting, assisting and making everyone feel relevant and cared about. When not hard at work, Luck can be found at the theater taking in the latest movie, cheering on her beloved Dodgers, rooting for her favorite football teams, dining at her favorite eating spots, and relaxing at the beach.
Amit Lally
BS
Physical Therapy Aide, Clinic Linchpin
Amit Lally graduated from Cal State Los Angeles in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology, with an emphasis in Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Exercise. He spent months working hands-on with patients in the university’s mobility center. As an aide he’s provided assistance to a wide variety of patients, from post operative to athletes and in between individuals who haven’t touched a gym before. With a patient-centered approach he hopes to provide accurate and compassionate care.
Throughout college and beyond he’s enjoyed getting outside to explore, which means long walks through the urban landscapes of LA and hopping on a longboard or electric bike just to feel the wind flow.
Jeremy Ferdinand
BA, NASM CPT
Personal Trainer, Physical Therapy Aide
Jeremy earned his BA from LSU in 2022 and was a running back on the LSU Football Team. During his athletic career, he received coaching and mentorship from world-class trainers which shaped his understanding of fitness and performance. In 2024 Jeremy became a NASM Certified Personal Trainer (CPT), specializing in enhancing mobility and flexibility.
Currently, Jeremy works as a Physical Therapy Aide, collaborating closely with physical therapists to provide exceptional care and foster a welcoming, friendly environment for patients.
Outside of his professional pursuits, Jeremy enjoys long-distance running, hiking, surfing, playing guitar, and spending time with friends.
Kennan Shue
Physical Therapy Aide
Keenan Shue is currently a UCLA student studying for a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychobiology with a long term goal of becoming a physician's assistant. Keenan's drive to pursue a career in healthcare started while he was a patient himself and had a provider who really listened to him and cared about him as a person, unlike so many providers he’d had before who seemed to see him as just another task on their schedule. That provider’s genuine connection made all the difference in a moment when he was feeling weak and vulnerable. This began his drive for building genuine connections in healthcare, one that Keenan is working to put into practice with every patient he meets.
In his role as a physical therapy aide, Keenan aims to empower patients and make them feel confident in the work they put in so that they always leave the clinic feeling better than when they first walked in.
Outside the clinic, Keenan enjoys being active through bouldering, hiking, and biking, and being not so active through analyzing movies/TV, baking, and board games.
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