SHELLEY A. COOPER, PT
PHYSICAL THERAPY & SPORTS INJURIES
THE TEAM
James Mawhiney PT, DPT
"Hello, my name is James Mawhiney and I am a Physical Therapist. I graduated from the University of Puget Sound in 2010. I have owned and operated Shelley A. Cooper, PT since 2015. Each year I expand my knowledge and skills as a therapist. I enjoy learning about the latest treatment approaches, scientific studies, and different conditions. I work extensively with seniors to help prevent falls by using balance and fall prevention training. In addition, I have expertise in sports injury prevention and rehab, joint replacement rehabilitation, and spinal injuries. The best part of being a physical therapist is the internal reward that I get every time I make a difference in someone's life. I cannot tell you how many times a person comes in frustrated,
discouraged, and in some cases hopeless. Helping people is my calling in life. Here I get to do it in the way of being a physical therapist!
I share my life with Sherronna, my wife of nearly 20 years, along with our
7 wonderful children. I attend church services with my family. I also enjoy coaching youth sports. We are active in serving our community, spending
time with our family, friends, and attending youth sports. In addition, I participate in Spartan races, half-marathons, and 5k races throughout the year."
Kim Burton PT, DPT
"I’m Kim Burton, a Doctor of Physical Therapy with more than 40 years of experience, and my work today is devoted entirely to Pelvic Health. I help people navigate pelvic pain, incontinence, postpartum recovery, pelvic organ prolapse, complex pelvic dysfunctions, and pre‑ and post‑prostatectomy rehabilitation. Supporting individuals through these deeply personal challenges is the heart of my practice.
I completed my Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at Loma Linda University and hold certifications as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist, an Ergonomic Assessment Specialist, and in Manual Lymphatic Drainage. My background in orthopedics and movement science shapes the whole‑body approach I bring to pelvic floor care.
I love educating, encouraging, and empowering my patients. Helping someone regain confidence in their body and return to the activities they value is incredibly meaningful to me. After four decades in this profession, I still feel grateful every day to do this work and continue to learn and grow in the field of pelvic health."
Daniel Pereyra, PTA
"Hi, my name is Daniel Pereyra. I graduated from Loma Linda University, receiving the honor of being placed
on the Dean's list every quarter. I enjoy teaching my patients about the inner workings of the body and believe that this assists with recovery. It is my mindset that when someone understands why they need to
partake in physical therapy they are more inclined to participate. I enjoy discovering new ways to challenge my patients, allowing them grow and attain functional mobility needed to fulfill their acts of daily living as well as participate in community activities. This is important to me because if we aren't moving, we aren't living."
Dennis Washington, PTA
"My name is Dennis Washington. I've been working as a physical therapist assistant in the valley, for over 18 years. I completed my physical therapy training at Western Institute of Science and Health in Rohnert Park, Ca. My love of sports is what initially drew me to the field of Physical Therapy however, over the course of my career I have learned that the vast majority of my patients are not high level athletes, but people who are in rehab to improve their quality of life. When I'm not at the office I keep myself busy coaching my son's and daughter's travel sports teams and spending time with my beautiful wife of 14 years."
Veronica Kennedy, PTA
"I’m Veronica. I graduated from Loma Linda University in 2019 and immediately following began my career as a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant. I have experience working with patients of all ages in the outpatient setting, and am passionate about treating each patient as a whole person, not an injury or diagnosis, to improve their function and quality of life. I have a special interest in treating patients with Parkinson’s Disease and I am a certified LSVT BIG provider. When I’m not treating patients, I enjoy painting, crafting, reading and spending time with my six amazing boys and extended family."
Ruthy Lopez, PTA
"Hi, I’m Ruthy! Originally coming from the Bay Area, I've now proudly called the Coachella Valley home for more than a decade. Over the years, I’ve built a strong foundation in group fitness, specializing in Pilates and barre. More recently, I’ve developed a love for weight training and powerlifting. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from California State University, San Bernardino, and later completed the Physical Therapist Assistant program at College of the Desert. I’m deeply committed to helping people discover a love for physical activity that empowers them to become the best version of themselves. I genuinely enjoy motivating and supporting others as they build confidence, strength, and sustainable, lifelong healthy habits. In my free time, you’ll find me teaching Pilates, lifting heavy things for fun, or fully embracing my 'homebody era'—canceling plans, lighting a candle, and unapologetically calling it 'self-care'.”
Shelley A. Cooper, PT
"My journey as a Physical Therapist and owner of a Physical Therapy practice for 25 years has been fulfilling. The success of my practice was a result of providing quality care to the patients, improving their quality of life through rehabilitation, caring about people and having a passion for this profession. I also had the good fortune of having quality employees who helped me to achieve my success. I will continue to assist patients with a caring heart and great passion."
Roy Burton PT, DPT
"I’m Roy Burton. I have been practicing Outpatient Physical Therapy for over 30 years. I received my Doctorate degree from Loma Linda University here in California. During the course of my
career I have gained further expertise in LSVT Big and Loud as well as PWR!Moves certifications for patients with Parkinson's. Also along the way I earned certifications as a Strength
and Conditioning Specialist and a Vestibular and Balance certification from the American Balance Institute. I have been a member of the American Physical Therapy Association in the Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Special Interest Group my entire career. I enjoy getting to know my patients so we can design an individual plan to achieve the best outcomes, return to an active lifestyle and enjoy life."
Patrick Lewis, PT, DPT
"Hello, my name is Patrick Lewis and I am a physical therapist who graduated from the University of Iowa's DPT program and have been a part of the SCPT team since 2019. My desire to become a physical therapist stems from a previous ACL injury I suffered back in 2010. As a collegiate track athlete, I had the opportunity to work with both physical therapists and athletic trainers on my recovery back to form. It was during this time, I realized that I wanted to work with individuals on a more intimate level to help them reach their physical goals.
When it comes to my philosophy with patients, my motto is "you can't go wrong getting strong." I like to blend rehab and strength training principles to help patients break their current functional limitations. It is my belief that improvements in function are great drivers for improvements with pain and quality of life.
As for my personal life, my wife and I had our first child in 2022. A lot of our free time goes to spending time with him and watching him grow. We enjoy taking trips to the beach, dabbling in photography, visiting museums, and cooking."
Bradley Baird, PTA
"Hello, my name is Bradley. I grew up here in the valley and graduated as part of the inaugural 2024 Physical Therapist Assistant program at College of the Desert. I am passionate about weightlifting and have competed and placed at the national level in powerlifting competitions. With years of experience in strength and conditioning training, I’ve developed individualized programs for clients ranging from beginners to experienced powerlifters. I apply this knowledge in the clinic as I work with patients to increase their strength and mobility to help improve their quality of life. In my free time, when I’m not training, you can find me out on the golf course or driving range trying to perfect my swing. I enjoy reading classic literature and nonfiction. I also enjoy experimenting with new recipes, particularly when it comes to grilling and barbecuing."
Gloria Salas, PTA
"Hello, my name is Gloria. I grew up here in the Coachella Valley where athletics and fitness, especially
soccer, have always been a big part of my life. My passion for healthcare began through personal experience. Working with trainers and physical therapists to rehab my own sport
injuries sparked my interest in the connection between movement, recovery, and overallwellness.
I first entered the healthcare field as a licensed Massage Therapist; a career I dedicated myself to for 13 years. Through this work, I’ve had the privilege of helping patients heal
and improve their quality of life in a variety of settings. Wanting to expand my skills and deepen my role in patient care, I pursued the accelerated Physical Therapist Assistant
program at College of the Desert. This program has equipped me with the knowledge and hands-on experience to take the next step in my healthcare journey.
Outside of my professional life, I continue to stay active playing soccer, weight training,traveling, and spending quality time with my family."
Bill Carlson, PT, DPT
"Hi, I'm Bill."
THE PRACTICE
At Shelley A. Cooper PT, we take your health personally. Our team provides top quality, individualized, one on one care with licensed professionals.
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Our clinic is conveniently located right off the 10 freeway in Bermuda Dunes. We have a full staff of qualified therapists and assistants to cater to your health needs. You will find state of the art equipment for your rehabilitation including cutting edge techniques using specialized massage tools to improve outcomes, help with scar remodeling and increase healing rates.
