About Mountain Valley
We are a God-centered company located in La Grande, Oregon focused on making positive differences in our community through physical therapy, occupational therapy, fitness and outreach programs.
Our Story
Opening its doors in 1999, Mountain Valley Therapy has established itself as a leader in rehabilitation services for the Grande Ronde Valley and beyond. We are proud to serve patients from Eastern Oregon, Eastern Washington, Idaho, and as far away as Utah and Texas.
Our Therapists are trained in advanced manual therapy techniques that are found to be successful with patients who have had other treatments fail. In addition to standard orthopedic and neuro treatment techniques, we offer treatments that are not a part of many standard physical therapy practices such as muscle – energy technique, strain/counter strain, manual lymphatic drainage, and sensory integration therapy.
Our Emphasis
Hundreds of hours of continuing education are taken each year by our therapy staff to provide our patients with the most up-to-date treatment techniques. We treat every patient as an individual and consider the whole person when planning physical and occupational therapy treatments. Our goal is to have pain-free, healthy, satisfied patients who are able to participate in all the activities they desire.
Our mission is to honor and glorify God in all that we think, say, and do. We strive to create a supportive environment in which employees can achieve their professional, personal, and spiritual goals and potential. Our goal is to provide clients with the highest quality, individualized therapeutic care to reduce symptoms and maximize their functional abilities and hence quality of life, and to promote active participation in our community by all employees.
Rehab Gym
Our physical therapy clinic features a dedicated rehabilitation gym which is well equipped with recumbent elliptical trainers, arm bicycles, parallel bars, and more. Our facility contains 11 private treatment rooms, with direct access to the rehabilitation gym.
Fitness & Health Center
Our fitness & health center is equipped with weights, treadmills, elliptical trainers, bicycles and all standard gym equipment. All employees receive a free membership to our fitness & health center which is attached to our physical therapy clinic.
Warm Water Aquatic Therapy Pool
Our facility offers a 25’X25′ warm water aquatic therapy pool set between 90 – 93 degrees. The pool is 3.5′ – 5.5′ deep and comes equipped with a current generator and equipment for therapy use. We do not use chlorine, our pool is UV filtered.
Our Staff
David Ebel, RPT
David was one of the founding owners of Mountain Valley Therapy in 1999. He graduated from Pacific University’s Physical Therapy Program in 1982 and has been practicing in La Grande since 1993. For over 40 years, David has practiced in out-patient orthopedics and neurology, home health/hospice and sports medicine treating athletes from grade school to college level. Now his main focus is in the healing and management of the most challenging acute and chronic diagnoses. He has trained under medical and osteopathic physicians from the United States, France, England and Australia and now utilizes a multitude of treatment techniques to address these complex pediatric and adult conditions. David is a member in good standing with the American Physical Therapy Association, Oregon Physical Therapy Association, the International Association of Health Care Practitioners and the American CranioSacral Association. David is a teaching assistant for the Upledger and Chikly Institutes and is currently helping to develop curriculum for the Chikly Institute. He has been involved with teaching alternative pain management strategies to reduce the use of narcotics. Outside of work, he is active in his church community and enjoys time and activities with his wife, adult sons and their partners. He loves to travel both locally and internationally and participate in meditation retreats.
James Gorham, MPT, CEO
James was born in La Grande and graduated from Imbler High School. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education and Health from Eastern Oregon University in 1995 and his Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy in 1997 from Andrews University in Dayton, OH. James owned and managed a PT practice for 6 1/2 years in Sherwood, OR. His areas of expertise include: sports medicine – including developing a rehabilitation program for golfers called “Back Swing” – and manual therapy. James is also certified in the ASTYM treatment technique. His outside interests include sports, camping, and golfing. James and his family moved back to La Grande in 2007. James also serves as the Clinic’s CEO.
Ian McLean, PT, DPT
Ian grew up in Imbler and attended Eastern Oregon University to receive his Bachelors Degree. While attending EOU, Ian worked at Mountain Valley Therapy as an aide, helped with marketing, and was a personal trainer for 6.5 years. He then attended Azusa Pacific University in Southern California where he obtained his Doctorate of Physical Therapy. Ian enjoys treating orthopedic conditions, geriatrics and has a special interest in Parkinson’s. Outside of Mountain Valley, Ian loves playing basketball and is an avid weight lifter.
James “Rusty” Hottal, RPT
Rusty is a familiar face to La Grande and he and his wife are enjoying their “return to home.” Rusty received his Physical Therapy degree in 1985 from Loma Linda University. He has been practicing as a Physical Therapist for over 36 years and his clinical experience has treated a wide array of conditions with a focus on pool therapy, manual therapy and treatment of chronic pain. Rusty enjoys hiking, camping, and family time.
Kenton “Kent” Kirby, PT
Kent joined Mountain Valley Therapy in 2019. He was born and raised on the plains of western Kansas and spent his summers in Kansas City. He was fortunate to spend countless hours at the stadiums watching ball games, seeing many of the great athletes of the past in action. A lifelong fan of the Chiefs, Royals, and Kansas Jayhawks, he also keeps an eye on the Steelers. Before pursuing physical therapy, Kent worked as a coach, teacher, and basketball official. He later returned to the University of Montana to earn his degree in Physical Therapy. Over the years, he has gained experience in a variety of settings but especially enjoys working in orthopedics, geriatrics, and sports medicine. Kent and his wife, Theresa have three adult sons and three grandsons who keep them on their toes. He enjoys attending big track meets whenever possible and appreciates the cooler temperatures and beautiful colors that come with fall.
Daniel Willey, PT, DPT
Daniel received his Bachelor of Science in Geological Engineering from the University of Nevada, Reno and graduated at the top of his class. Math, Physics, and Engineering was always a backup plan for him and he graduated Cum Laude from South College with a doctorate degree in Physical Therapy. Dan has extensive experience dealing with injuries and specializes in treating chronic back pain. He also finds treating vertigo particularly interesting and rewarding. Dan was a bodybuilder when he was young and later studied yoga for 5 years travelling around the country to learn from many different teachers that helped him overcome his own injuries, back pain, and imbalance in his body. Dan also has special training in Trigger Point Therapy. Outside the office, you can find Dan doing his exercises every day, walking his dogs, snowboarding, snowmobiling, or mountain biking, and any and all water sports.
Zane Wright, PT, DPT
Nicki Ebel, OT
Nicki Ebel returned to the Mountain Valley family in 2019 after a 6 year hiatus. She graduated from the University of Cape Town in 1987 and before moving to La Grande in 1994 she practiced OT in Cape Town, South Africa, London, England and as a traveling therapist throughout the US. While she has worked in many fields of Occupational Therapy, in recent years she has specialized primarily in rehabilitation of hand, wrist and elbow conditions. Together with her husband, David Ebel, she has 4 adult sons and a step-son and is active in fitness, enjoys all manners of outdoor activities, travel and keeping connected to friends and family both locally and internationally. She loves her work as an Occupational Therapist and the opportunity to support people in their recovery and achievement of their rehabilitation goals and to live their lives to the fullest.
Peter Harris, OTD, OTR/L
Pete graduated with his clinical doctorate of Occupational Therapy from Pacific University. After growing up in La Grande, he attended Brigham Young University where he obtained dual degrees in public health and Spanish. He has valuable experience treating upper extremity injuries and providing post-surgical care using a variety of evidence-based therapeutic modalities. His clinical experience also includes treating visual, cognitive and functional symptoms in patients affected by post-concussion syndrome and TBI. In his spare time, Pete enjoys time spent with his wife and daughter. He also values the unique mountain biking, motocross and remote off-road exploration opportunities offered throughout the Grande Ronde Valley.
Riana Scott MOT, OTR/L
Riana was born and raised in Baker City and graduated from La Grande High School. She went on to attend the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where she competed as a collegiate swimmer and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology with a minor in Psychology. Riana later completed her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy at Nebraska Methodist College before returning home to La Grande. She has a strong interest and specialized knowledge in pediatrics as well as upper extremity conditions, and will serve as our Occupational Therapist in the schools throughout the La Grande School District. Outside of work, Riana enjoys hiking, horseback riding, snowboarding, and traveling to new places.
Tracey Gorham
LPTA
Tracey has been part of the Mountain Valley Therapy family since 2007. She graduated from Mount Hood Community College’s Physical Therapist Assistant Program in 1996 and brings decades of rehabilitation experience to the team, with a special passion for helping older adults stay active, independent, and doing what they love. In addition to her clinical work, Tracey serves as Executive Director and Quality Assurance Director/Chief Compliance Officer. She is also actively involved in advancing the physical therapy profession through leadership in the American Physical Therapy Association, currently serving as a Delegate, a member of the Private Practice Section, and part of the Government Affairs Committee. Her dedication to professional advocacy was recently recognized with the APTA East Regional Award. Outside the clinic and board meetings, Tracey enjoys running, reading, and spending time with her family.
Angela Cain
PTA
Angela joined Mountain Valley in 2016. She graduated from the Athletic Training Program at Montana State University – Billings in 2014 with her Master’s degree, having completed her undergraduate work at University of Oregon in 2010. She has pursued further education in multiple areas, including orthopedic injuries and functional taping techniques. In 2021, Angela decided to return to school and get her PTA degree. She currently serves as the Rehab Gym director as well as a clinician. In her free time, she enjoys being in the outdoors hiking, cross country skiing and snowboarding, and spending time with her friends and family that live in the area.
Taylor Christopher
PTA
Taylor has been part of the Mountain Valley Therapy team since 2018. She was born and raised in Elgin and earned her bachelor’s degree from Lewis-Clark State College in Idaho before completing her Physical Therapist Assistant degree through the Idaho Consortium for Physical Therapist Assistant Education at the LCSC campus. She enjoys working with orthopedic conditions including sports medicine and post-op cases. Outside of work, Taylor enjoys hunting, hiking, camping, spending time with her husband and daughter, attending concerts and rodeos, and being in the outdoors.
Brook Jorgensen
MS, ATC, PTA
Brook joined Mountain Valley in 2004 as a Certified Athletic Trainer. She graduated from the Athletic Training Program at Oregon State University in 2001 and finished her Master’s of Science at Utah State University in 2003. She went back to school to further her career and education, completing her PTA degree in 2022. She has been the athletic trainer at La Grande High School since 2004, working with student athletes performing injury prevention, treatment and rehabilitation during practices and events. She has pursued further education in multiple areas, including orthopedic injuries, functional exercise, aquatic exercise and concussions. She enjoys spending time with her husband and three children, skiing, running, hiking and gardening.
Matthew "Matt" Schneider
PTA, LMT
Matthew is a Physical Therapist Assistant with 12 years of experience and a Licensed Massage Therapist for the past 2 years. He joined Mountain Valley as a traveling PTA in December of 2024, and joined our team as a permanent employee in June of 2025. He combines clinical rehabilitation skills with progressive strength training expertise to help clients recover, prevent injury, and perform at their best. An avid snowboarder, mountain biker, and hiker, Matthew brings real-world movement experience to every session.
Jason "Jay" Argila
PTA
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