Meet Our Team at Mariners Landing
Dr. Alina Dawson, DPT and Owner of Full Distance
Meet Alina, owner & CEO of Full Distance, a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Geriatric Clinical Specialist, LSVT-BIG Certified, and Registered Yoga Teacher. After being a lifetime fitness guru, playing Division II college basketball and tennis, finishing 18 marathons, completing three full-distance triathlons, and raising three children, she has gained a unique view of how fitness & wellness intertwine. With over 22 years of experience, she has advocated for the integration of personal training and group fitness classes with physical therapy and has educated clients, family, caregivers, and other healthcare professionals on how much exercise equates to how healthy you live. Alina has established a strong foundation with Full Distance but is still discovering new ways for it to become an advanced holistic solution for all to live an active, purposeful, and serene life.
Kristy Woodford, OTD, OTR/L
Kristy earned her Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree from Mary Baldwin University in 2021 and completed undergraduate degrees in Human Development and Psychology at Virginia Tech in 2018. She is the proud mother of two daughters who fill her life with joy and energy. Along with her husband, she enjoys time on their farm, where they care for animals, garden, fish, and hunt. When she’s not outdoors soaking up nature with loved ones, Kristy can be found cheering on the Hokies or staying active through workouts. She is dedicated to empowering others to live healthier, more independent lives through client-centered therapy.
Jenny Sydnor, DPT
Dr. Jenny is a Doctor of Physical Therapy with nearly nine years of experience practicing in the outpatient setting. She enjoys working with patients of all ages and ability levels and is passionate about providing individualized, evidence-based care. What brings her the most joy is seeing people return to the activities they love without pain or limitation. Dr. Jenny believes in the resilience of the human body and its remarkable ability to heal, and she is excited to join and contribute to the team at Full Distance.
Tracy Travis, PTA
Meet Tracy, a Physical Therapy Assistant with 20+ years experience. Tracy graduated from the College of Health Services in Roanoke and has since worked in acute care, home health as well as outpatient rehabilitation. When not at work, she enjoys spending time with her adult children, two dogs, and working in her yard.
Lisa French Wixted, Yoga Instructor
Lisa is a certified 200 hr. yoga teacher with a Master's degree in Curriculum & Instruction, Bachelor's degree in Biology and Environmental Studies, and certifications in K-6th grade, biology, and earth science. Lisa joined the Full Distance in March 2023. In Yin Yoga, she invites mindful awareness, attention and care, and creative ways to use props to support the body. In Gentle Chair Yoga, she invites alignment and variations to help students connect to their inner yoga voice to be confident, safe, and strong. Lisa also helps prenatal and postnatal moms connect to their bodies and little ones while strengthening the family bond in Kids and Baby Toddler Me Yoga. Lisa believes yoga is about connecting with each other while connecting to the breath, body, and mind.
Debbie O'Donnell, Yoga Instructor
Debbie has been practicing yoga for about 15 years. As an educator, she used yoga and mindfulness with her students. In 2019 she completed a course with Resilience Yoga for Yoga and Mindfulness in Schools and Trauma-Informed Yoga. She believes in the mind, body, spirit connection and feels that yoga is one of the best ways to “yoke” the body, mind, and spirit! In the winter of 2022, she completed her 200-hour yoga certification at Vitazen studio here in Hardy, VA. Before she was formally trained, she worked with Dr. Alina Dawson for a year to learn appropriate postures connected to the physics of the body. Alina supported her in her personal practice with body alignment and mechanics. “It is my honor to practice yoga as a trained instructor with others interested in this wonderful practice".
Anne Alfieri, Yoga Instructor
Anne has been practicing yoga for many years. She completed her 200 hour OM Yoga Teacher Training with Cyndi Lee in 2015, at which time she began teaching at James River Yoga Studio. She graduated from the Asheville Yoga Center 300 Hour Advanced Yoga Studies in 2020, specializing in working with older adults and people with injuries and chronic pain. She has also completed yoga teacher training in Yin Yoga and Pranayama (breath awareness and manipulation) and continues to study with many wonderful teachers across the country. Anne subscribes to the notion that “motion is lotion,” and offers classes that incorporate safe, gentle movement and careful sequencing in conjunction with a focus on the breath. Her clear instruction is designed to help students find flexibility and strength in every pose, while giving them the space to trust their own inner teacher. Anne continues to be grateful for and amazed by how nourishing and transformational the practice of yoga can be, both for herself and for her students.
Nono Choden, Practice Administrator
Nono graduated from James Madison University in the Fall of 2020 with a Bachelor’s in Integrated Science and Technology with a concentration in Industrial Manufacturing Systems. She has experience streamlining administrative processes and enhancing operational efficiency such as managing schedules, coordinating meetings, overseeing inventory, etc. with her experience in different organizational boards and field of study. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and dogs.
Jennifer Taylor, Caregiver
Jennifer is a Caregiver at Full Distance and has been in healthcare since 2002. She was born and raised at Smith Mountain Lake.
Elizabeth Allen, OT/R, CLT
Meet Elizabeth, an Occupational Therapist and Certified Lymphedema Therapist who specializes in assisting patients with conditions such as arthritis, chronic pain, wrist/hand conditions, fatigue, health management, joint replacements, scar tissue, memory and brain fitness, caregiving, leisure participation, community engagement, breast cancer pre/post-surgery, and neurological disorders. Elizabeth obtained her master’s degree from Radford University in 2020 and has extensive experience incorporating recreation, music, and preferred leisure activities into a client's plan of care. She is also a Mariners Landing resident and enjoys engaging in outdoor activities around the community as well as performing on the weekends around the lake as a local singer and musician. Elizabeth's holistic approach to Occupational therapy aligns with our practice, and she has been with the Full Distance team since July of 2021.
Josh Mullen, PTA
Meet Josh, a Physical Therapy Assistant specializing in outpatient orthopedic conditions, along with balance and vestibular conditions. Josh graduated from Liberty University with a Bachelors in Exercise Science and a PTA degree from South University. Outside of treating, Josh loves spending his time with his wife and daughters and enjoys the outdoors. Josh joined our team here at Full Distance in May of 2022 and is currently going to school to become a PT.
Ainsley Price, DPT
Dr. Ainsley Price received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Lynchburg in 2019. With over five years of experience, she has established specializations in general orthopedics, gait and balance training, and vestibular rehabilitation. She is a Forest, VA native and enjoys running, cooking with her husband, and caring for her two cats and chickens. Ainsley is passionate about serving her community and is committed to helping her patients achieve their health and wellness goals.
Jason Mullins, Personal Trainer & Group Fitness Instructor
Meet Jason, a certified personal trainer who specializes in nutrition and senior fitness. He grew up at Smith Mountain Lake, graduated with honors from Staunton River, and played both football and basketball. After serving in the Marine Corps Infantry, he returned home to care for his parents. This experience ignited his passion for promoting health and fitness among seniors. Jason has been with us since June of 2021.
Katie Vandergriff, PTA
Katie graduated from the Physical Therapist Assistant program at Radford University Carilion in 2021. She has experience in a variety of settings including acute care, skilled nursing, home health, and assisted living facilities. Katie finds great joy in serving the Smith Mountain Lake community, especially the geriatric population. She is passionate about helping patients achieve their functional goals, while providing education on how to safely enjoy life to the fullest. Outside of work, you will find Katie spending time with her husband and three kids, who all share a love of the outdoors. Katie is looking forward to growing in her role and skill set at Full Distance!
Hinako Davis, PTA & Massage Therapist
Hinako is a manual therapist who brings over 20 years of experience across a wide range of medical settings. A life long learner, she is a Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant, a Licensed Massage Therapist, and a Certified Craniosacral Therapist through the Upledger Institute. Her professional expertise is further backed by affiliations with the International Association of Healthcare Practitioners and the Reflexology Association of America.
A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and Jefferson College of Health Sciences, Hinako’s practice is rooted in the belief that the body possesses an incredible potential for self-healing. By thoughtfully blending Eastern and Western perspectives, she uses manual therapy to facilitate the body’s natural balance and recovery. Hinako is thrilled to be serving her local community once again and looks forward to helping you on your wellness journey.
Patty Kapr, Caregiver
Patty and her husband retired at Smith Mountain Lake in 2022 after selling their elevator business, which they established and ran for 40 years. In addition to this, she worked in Orthodontics for 30 years in the same practice.
They have one married son, and three granddaughters.
She loves to stay active in retirement. She also loves the caregiving opportunities that have been afforded to her by Full Distance.
