Meet the Team

When you work with us, you become a part of the Competitive Edge family — get to know us, like we’ll get to know you!

Dr. James Liaw, DPT, CSCS, SCS

Dr. Liaw is a San Jose native who received his doctorate of physical therapy from Regis University. Once graduated, he moved to Idaho and spent the early portion of his career working with athletes through a sports medicine residency and building a sports rehab program in Twin Falls. After his residency, he became a board-certified clinical specialist in sports physical therapy (SCS).

 

While in Idaho, he was the team physical therapist for the Idaho Steelheads (Boise’s minor league hockey team) and provided rehabilitation, injury prevention, and return-to-play testing. He also developed sport-specific preparticipation screenings for the College of Southern Idaho to decrease athletic injuries and improve sports performance. Dr. Liaw also coached the competitive climbing team at Gemstone Climbing Center, where he assisted with skill and movement development as well as strength and conditioning for the climbers.

 

Several years ago, Dr. Liaw had surgery that required him to take extensive time off from rock climbing as he went through the rehabilitation process. This experience helped him to personally understand how the inability to pursue his favorite activities negatively impacted his quality of life. Dr. Liaw is truly passionate about helping people get back to doing what they love doing and giving them the tools to continue improving. 

 

James’s Passions

During his free time, Dr. Liaw enjoys climbing both in the gym and outside. He has taken trips to world class climbing areas, including Squamish BC, Rocky Mountain National Park, Joe’s Valley, Yosemite, and Bishop. He also enjoys watching sports (49er faithful), mountain biking, snowboarding, learning new things, and eating.

 
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Dr. Kelly Milliken, DPT

Dr. Milliken received her doctorate of physical therapy from George Fox University in Newberg, Oregon. Prior to pursuing her doctorate, she studied biology and psychology at the University of Oregon for her bachelor’s degree, with a special interest in behavioral neuroscience. There, she competed on the club equestrian team, tutored student athletes, and developed a passion for strength training.

 

After graduating from UO, Dr. Milliken spent two years working both in a physical therapy clinic as an aide and in a neuroscience lab (and, of course, ultimately found her true passion with physical therapy!). Within the field, she has a special interest in biomechanical analysis —  she contributed largely to a research project at George Fox which investigated the relationships between an individual’s activity level, the anatomical structures of the foot, and the biomechanics within the foot and ankle.

 

Dr. Milliken is passionate about being an advocate for her clients’ physical and mental health. With a combination of her technical knowledge of anatomy and biomechanics, as well as her background in neuroscience, she’s able to implement a holistic approach to understanding the client as a whole person.

 

Kelly’s Passions

Dr. Milliken spends much of her free time exploring a variety of art forms, including guitar, piano, watercolor, crocheting, and digital art. She also enjoys road biking, weight lifting, horseback riding, and is learning the ropes of mountain biking. The ultimate weekend for Kelly would also include plenty of time cuddling with a cat or dog, eating good food, and plenty of coffee! 

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Dr. Courtney Sullivan, DPT, OCS, MTC

Dr. Sullivan is a Bay Area native who received her doctorate of physical therapy from the University of Saint Augustine for Health Sciences in 2013. She is deeply passionate about helping individuals achieve their unique movement goals and regularly works towards bettering her own expertise to guide her clients. She is currently an Orthopedic Certified Specialist and has a Manual Therapy Certification, and she continues to pursue further education. Currently, she is focused on Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization through the Prague Institute as well as  courses through the Postural Restoration Institute.

 

Over the past decade of working as a physical therapist, Dr. Sullivan has worked with a wide variety of clientele. She has experience working in pediatrics (specializing in neurological and developmental cases), orthopedics, and geriatrics, and she is familiar with working with all ages and ability levels. In particular, though, her background of competitive gymnastics and cheerleading has shaped her special interest in women’s health and helping the female athlete thrive. (Plus, she thoroughly understands the importance of dedication and teamwork!)

 

Courtney’s Passions

Dr. Sullivan enjoys being active outdoors and spending time with her family, preferably at the beach or while cooking in the kitchen! She maintains her wellness through weight lifting, running, yoga, and gratitude.

Tim Dempsey

Tim Dempsey, PRI, DNS, CSCS

– Postural Restoration Trained (PRT) from the Postural Restoration Institute (PRI), Lincoln, Nebraska

– Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization Exercise Trainer (DNSET) from the Prague Institute of Rehabilitation, Czech Republic

– Additional certifications from USA Track and Field, USA Weightlifting, MovNat, and National Academy of Sports Medicine

– Transitionally Certified Healthcare Interpreter – Spanish (CHI)

 

During his undergraduate years at St. Ambrose University, Tim was both a student athletic trainer and an athlete himself (midfielder in soccer, middle-distance runner and captain of the track team, and Most Valuable Runner in his junior year of cross country). After college, he enjoyed local road racing circuits and is still the record holder of the 5k ascent trail run up High Windy Mountain in North Carolina.

 

Beyond his personal athletic journey, Tim also has over 4 decades of experience in the athletic performance field. Originally an athletic trainer, he soon became the head Track Coach and Strength Coach at 2 top universities in Mexico. When he relocated to the Bay Area in 2000, he worked as the Head Track and Cross Country Coach at Menlo College for 2 years. For the past 18 years, he’s worked with a wide variety of clientele from general population to Paralympic Athletes to high school and college athletes to members of the USA Bobsled Team. As the only fitness professional on the West Coast certified in both PRI and DNS, Tim has been invited to present to organizations such as the San Francisco 49ers sports medicine staff, San Jose State graduate school of Athletic Training, USA Olympic Training Center in Colorado, Blazesports Atlanta, and several professional teams and physical therapy clinics in Mexico. He is excited about working with the PT staff at Competitive Edge to provide the best possible experience for clients.

 

Tim’s Passions

Prior to his full time athletic performance career, Tim spent several years as a social worker with inner city gang prevention programs, newly arrived Latin American immigrants, and several months working on international projects in Nigeria. When not listening to the latest athletic performance podcast, Tim enjoys working on his medical Spanish, keeping in touch with the many coaches he mentors in Mexico, mastering the next classical piece on his sax, practicing MovNat, and spending time with his 2 young adult daughters and his wonderful physical therapist girlfriend.

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Dr. Brad Sullivan, DPT

Dr. Sullivan, originally from San Diego, received his doctorate of physical therapy degree from the University of Saint Augustine for Health Sciences in San Diego, California. Since then he has worked in both private practice and hospital based orthopedic settings. During this time, Brad was able to gain clinical expertise and knowledge working with multiple clientele of all ages and skill levels. He gained an extensive appreciation for movement biomechanics and its relationship to rehabilitation and sport. He recently completed his certification in Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization, which requires multiple courses and examinations over a number of years.

In the last 10 years, Brad has had the privilege of working with and treating players from the Santa Cruz Warriors, UCSC athletics, Los Gatos High School athletics, as well as multiple post surgical patients. This also included helping to build curriculum and testing for teaching spine rehabilitation, return to throwing and overhead sports protocols, as well as pre and post ACL rehab and return to sport testing while in the orthopedic hospital setting. With the use of technology and equipment that Competitive EDGE offers, Dr. Sullivan is excited to bring real time movement analysis  and diagnosis to his patients. “With a system as intricate as the human body, our clients deserve careful attention to detail when observing the complexities of their movement.”

 

Brad’s Passions

Like a true San Diegan, Brad loves the beach. He enjoys spending time with his wife and two young boys, watching college football, cheering on his Padres, and grilling on the BBQ. He is a competitive paddler with  Outrigger Santa Cruz, and also enjoys his home gym, and chasing his kids. 

Office Staff

Dr. Kevin Vandi

Dr. Kevin Vandi, DPT, OCS, CSCS

Founder & CEO

Dr. Vandi is considered a leader in the Bay Area in the field of sports medicine, biomechanics, rehabilitation, and human performance.  He is also the founder of Competitive EDGE, the Bay Area’s first fully equipped outpatient human gait and performance center.  Using state-of-the-art motion analysis technology and his background as a specialist in physical therapy, orthopedics, and biomechanics, Kevin has helped athletes and individuals of all skill levels improve movement and optimize performance. 

 

For the first portion of his career, Kevin worked with youth and professional athletes, specializing in rehabilitation, injury prevention, and return-to-play testing. Now, he has turned his focus towards growing the business, handling CEO responsibilities, mentoring his team, and creating connections in the world of biomechanics.

 

Dr. Vandi is on the forefront on evidence based objective rehabilitation. Using force plates, 3D motion sensors, high speed cameras, and wireless EMG muscle biofeedback, Kevin harnesses the power of data in decisions about health, recovery, and sports performance.

 

Kevin’s Passions

Kevin is married to his amazing wife Chrissy; they have been blessed with 5 wonderful children Jack, Emma, Max, and Leo and Rose.  When Kevin is not working at Competitive EDGE, reading research, or taking courses in continued education, you can find him with his family hiking the great trails around the Bay Area.  Kevin enjoys participating in triathlons, riding his road bike, and weight lifting.  Originally from Massachusetts, Kevin is a die hard Boston sports fan (and of course, his kids are too, now)!  Kevin is truly passionate about rehabilitation and human performance, and he believes that we are all called to a purpose — and his is to help people move better and live an active life.

 

 

Jenn Talbott

Jenn Talbott

Clinic Operations Manager

Jenn is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley where she majored in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration on Globalization and Consumer behavior. While at Cal, Jenn participated on the NCAA Division 1 water polo team achieving a 2nd place title, and she was also co-captain of the club water polo team helping her team on the way to club nationals. Upon graduation, Jenn developed more of an interest in the therapeutic, healthcare field and worked 3 years in another physical therapy office, prior to coming to Competitive Edge. She has continued her education by taking multiple science and math courses in Anatomy, Physiology, Psychology, Kinesiology, Biology and Statistics. Although Jenn has been fortunate to go through a successful sports career unscathed by injury, she has witnessed through how physical therapy can positively impact someone’s path towards a healthy life, and loves being a part of that experience at Competitive Edge.


Jenn’s Passions

Jenn grew up as a competitive swimmer and enjoys any water-related activity whether that be at the pool, lake, or ocean! On and off, she has continued this passion for swimming by teaching swim lessons. To remain active, she enjoys hiking, running, circuit training and cycling. Due to her swimming background and recent interest in running and cycling, Jenn has also dabbled in triathlons. Aside from her fitness interests, Jenn loves attending concerts and bay area sporting events (Go Niners!), going to movies, playing board games, spending time with family/friends including her samoyed, Murphy, and pretty much anything food-related (cooking, baking, EATING!).

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Smiti Bhatia

Client Relations Specialist

Smiti received her Advanced Graduate Study/post Master’s degree in Political Science from Delhi University, India. She devoted early part of her career as a lecturer in teaching Political Science to undergraduate students at a community college in Delhi.

 

Over the last 16 years, Smiti has passionately invested her career in serving customers in several industries in the United States. She thrives on making a meaningful impact on the lives of her customers by solving their problems and going the extra mile to deliver exceptional results to them.

 

Having herself experienced speedy healing and recovery from Physical Therapy after her surgery, Smiti is a firm believer in the power of Physical Therapy in transforming people’s lives. She is passionate about educating our clients about our services and in helping them make the best decision for their specific needs and goals.

 

Smiti’s Passions

Smiti enjoys going for long walks and listening to music. She loves to travel along with her daughter. Outside of work, she has volunteered as a Disability Rights Activist for several years.

Jillian McHenry

Administrative Assistant

Jill is a student at West Valley College, majoring in Kinesiology. Jill played competitive volleyball for 9 years, during which she injured and rehabbed both knees after tearing her ACL. After 3 surgeries, her experience in physical therapy has motivated her to pursue a career as a Doctor of Physical Therapy.

 

Jill’s Passions

Jill enjoys any and all things sports. After growing up on a lake, she tries to find as much time as possible outside in hiking, kayaking, and playing beach volleyball. She has coached competitive youth volleyball for the past 3 years and loves to see and to help players improve and grow. Jill loves anything live, and goes to as many concerts, plays, and sporting events as she can. She enjoys spending time with friends and family and taking every one of them with her to Sharks games.

here's what people have to say about working with our team:

We'd Love To Be Part of Your Journey

For our team, physical therapy and sports performance is way more than a job…it’s our passion. From your first call all the way through reaching your goal, our team will be with you every step of the way providing encouragement, pushing your limits, and having a great time. Instead of hoping “one day” your pain will go away, make today “day one” of your journey.

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