Meet the Team
Our therapists have over 100 years of combined experience.
Russ Lewis
Owner/Physical Therapist
Virginia Commonwealth University Pre-Physical Therapy Program
MSPT, Virginia Commonwealth University-Medical College of Virginia
Russ is a native of the Northern Neck of Virginia. As an athlete at Rappahannock High School, a football injury during his sophomore year led him to pursue a career in physical therapy. “I was amazed at how fast I was able to recover from my injury. I also wanted to work with athletes following my education whether it was a medical professional or coach. I can't imagine having any other career.”
Areas of interest include: Manual therapy, sports rehab and conditioning, total joint replacement rehab, rotator cuff rehab, treatment of sacroiliac dysfunction, treatment of cervical and lumbar dysfunction, and treatment of BPPV(Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo)
Continuing education:
Great Lakes Seminars: Mobilization of the Cervical and Thoracic Spine and Ribs, Treatment of the Lumbar Spine, Sacroiliac Mobilization, Orthopedic Approach to Myofascial Release, Comprehensive Treatment of the Knee, Advanced Spinal Mobilization and Manipulation
Neural Mobilization-Mobilization with Movement, Foot and Ankle Mobilization and Treatment
When not working, Russ enjoys spending time with his family and friends, Crossfit, running marathons and half marathons, golf, bow hunting, boating, kayaking, and coaching travel and middle school baseball
Jill Lewis, MSPT
Co-owner/Physical Therapist
BS in Biology, Magna Cum Laude, James Madison University
MSPT, Virginia Commonwealth University-Medical College of Virginia
Jill worked as a traveling physical therapist for two years. Then worked primarily in home health physical therapy prior to working at Essex Physical Therapy.
Areas of interest: Manual therapy, core strengthening, posture reeducation, geriatrics, joint replacement rehab, lumbar and sacroiliac dysfunction
Continuing education:
Great Lakes Seminars: Mobilization of the Cervical and Thoracic Spine and Ribs, Treatment of the Lumbar Spine, Sacroiliac Mobilization, Orthopedic Approach to Myofascial Release, Comprehensive Treatment of the Knee.
Patients at Risk for Falls, Geriatric Mobility and Orthopedics, Strength Training, Pilates Mat Certification.
When not working, Jill enjoys spending time her family, Crossfit, running, golf, tennis and kayaking. Russ and Jill have two children.
Phyllis Eberline, DPT
Physical Therapist
Mary Washington College of the University of Virginia
BS in Physical Therapy, Medical College of Virginia
Doctorate in Physical Therapy, Virginia Commonwealth University
Practicing for over 45 years
Areas of interest: Pediatrics, geriatrics, neurological problems strokes, traumatic brain injury, total joint replacement
Continuing Education: Therapeutic yoga, annually a course covering new research on Motor impairments in children at Kluge Children’s rehabilitation center in Charlottesville, Va.
When not working , Phyllis enjoys spending time with family, the beach, yoga, and reading.
Brittany Brueggeman
Physical Therapy Assistant
Associates of Applied Sciences, ECPI University
Brittany joined Essex Physical Therapy in 2017.
Brittany has a passion for improving her patients quality of life through manual therapy and therapeutic exercise. She has completed several continuing education courses expanding her knowledge of manual therapy interventions.
Continuing Education:
Great Lakes Seminars: Treatment of Common Extremity function through Mobility, Treatment of the Lumbar Spine
Vestibular rehabilitation
Brittany is a native of King William, VA and is happily married with two children. Outside of work, Brittany enjoys spending time her family and friends. Some of her hobbies include several sporting activities, gardening, and cooking.
TAYLOR REED
PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSISTANT
Taylor started working for Essex PT in 2017 as a PT Technician before enrolling at ECPI to become a PT Assistant.
Taylor has a passion for geriatrics with a focus in gait, balance and neuromuscular interventions. Taylor has attended continuing education in improving balance, gait patterns and neuromuscular training at her time working in a skilled nursing facility. Taylor also has a passion for focusing on manual therapy here in the clinic for pain management and to assist patients back to comfortable pain-free living.
Continuing Education:
Continence Management and Improvement
Pain Management and Contracture Improvement
Progressive Resistive Exercise in Geriatrics
Taylor is originally from Mechanicsville, but has family living in Northern Neck and has spent summers on the Rappahannock River and in Tappahannock. Taylor is happily married, owns two dogs, Ellie and Lily and just had her first child in April of 2022, Zoey. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, shopping, and spending time on the river in the summer.
April Pinkard
Physical Therapy Technician
Joined Essex Physical Therapy in 2021
April is a native of the Tappahannock area. She connects to each patient and enjoys the personal relationship that Essex Physical Therapy provides. In her free time, she enjoys being at the river with family and friends. Her son Latane’s sports schedule keeps her on her toes!
Abigail Smith
Physical Therapy Technician
Joined Essex Physical Therapy in 2021
Abby is a native of the Northern Neck of Virginia and is a 2019 graduate of Rappahannock High School. Abby is furthering her education in hopes to become a physical therapy assistant. Outside of work and school she enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing with her two dogs Dixie and Stella, and doing crafts.
Emma Rouse
Physical Therapy Technician
Born and raised in the Northern Neck, Emma enjoys the river, boating, fishing and playing tennis in her free time. Emma’s dog Riley keeps her busy outside of work. Emma is excited to join Essex Physical Therapy and assist our patients. “Helping patients is a very rewarding job.”
Sandy Longest
Office Coordinator
AAS in Business Management, Rappahannock Community College.
Sandy is from the Northern Neck and currently lives in King and Queen. She joined Essex Physical Therapy in 2014 and is the usually the first person you see when you enter our office. She makes sure our office runs smoothly and efficiently. She will handle any of your questions, verify your insurance, and schedule your therapy visits.
“ I enjoy seeing the transformation and progress that patients make from the first visit they arrive for physical therapy until their discharge visit.”
When not at work Sandy enjoys spending time with her husband, George, and her family and friends. Hobbies include travel, golf, reading, and going to the beach.
Nancy Hayden
Office Assistant
Nancy is an Essex County native who came out of retirement to join the EPT staff in the spring of 2019. She assists with clerical duties at the front desk on a part-time basis.
“I too am amazed and elated to see the difference in our patients from day one of their therapies to their final day at discharge. I’m happy to be part of a team that does so much to improve the quality of life for so many.”
When not at work, Nancy enjoys spending time with family. With two daughters, three sisters, and two nieces, there are lots of “girls’ days out”. Nancy and husband Robert devote a lot of time to their church, and both are active members of the Northern Neck VFW and Auxiliary respectively. Nancy dabbles with flower gardening, trying to attract as many hummingbirds and butterflies as possible. She also enjoys music, crossword puzzles, and nature walks.
Bonnie Davis
Office Assistant
Bonnie is a native of Tappahannock. After living in Pennsylvania for 35 years, she returned to Tappahannock to be close to her daughter and grandchildren. Bonnie works at the front desk part-time performing scheduling and clerical duties. When not at work, Bonnie enjoys spending time with her husband, Wayne, and the rest of her family as well as reading and doing crafts.
”I love seeing the difference thet physical therapy makes in the lives of our patients”