Our Staff
Al Escobar
Clinic Director & Founder
Al Escobar, the son of a Marine, basically grew up in Phoenix, Arizona from the time that he was 9 years old. He wrestled and played football at Sunnyslope High School, where he graduated in 1987. Al attended Northern Arizona University for both his bachelors and masters degree. While attending NAU he competed in bodybuilding at a state, national and international level. His titles have included an overall championship in Arizona, 1st place at the NPC Mr. USA, and 1st place at the IFBB North American Bodybuilding Championships. He continued to place in the top 10 at the NPC National Championships until his last competition in 2003. Al appeared and was featured several times on ESPN, and in international magazines such as Muscle & Fitness. After graduating from NAU with a degree in Exercise Science, he was accepted into Northern Arizona University’s Physical Therapy graduate program. He completed the Masters of Physical Therapy program in May of 1995 and began work in an outpatient orthopedic private practice. Since 1999 Al has been an integral part of the Phoenix Fire Department’s training academy in the realm of injury prevention. In 2007, when the City of Glendale opened their training academy Al continued to teach the same program with a major focus on functional biomechanics, which included both an academic and practical portion.
In 2001, Al was recruited by a large physical therapy entity to open and manage two start-up clinics. It was there where Al was involved to a greater degree in the rehabilitation of collegiate, professional, and Olympic level athletes. In the latter part of 2005, Al decided it was time to leave the corporate atmosphere and return to private practice where he felt he could best serve his profession. Al partnered with Brian Robinson, who was greatly successful in the practice/business of health care and physical therapy for over 20 years. On November 9th, 2005 ARIS Physical Therapy was born with the mission of creating the “gold standard” of physical therapy in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Al, now in his 20th year of practice, has been able to create meaningful professional relationships with patients, physical therapists, PT Assistants, Athletic Trainers, physicians/surgeons, and the community. It is his goal to make a positive difference in both his personal and professional life.
Al and his wife Renee have been married since 1996 and have two children, Trey and Ella, who are very involved in school and sports. Al’s hobbies include strength training, Muay Thai, and boxing, but most of his time outside of ARIS is spent with his family.
Dee Blake
Business Office Manager
Dee joined ARIS Physical Therapy, December of 2018. She was born and raised in Arizona. She has over 15 years experience in the health care field with the knowledge and experience to her position as Business Manager to Billing & Collections. When not working at ARIS, loves spending time with her family and friends. She enjoys staying active with hiking, running in Spartan Races, snowboarding and weight training.
Alexis Sutherland
Physical Therapist
Bio and Photo coming soon.
Jake ZolnA
Physical Therapist
I am a Dr. of Physical Therapy with emphasis on patients experiencing orthopedic pathologies. I specialize in return to sport rehabilitation with an additional background in pediatrics as well.
Born and raised in the greater Philadelphia area, I studied health and exercise physiology at Ursinus College with minors in human performance and coaching. Following undergrad, I worked as a sports performance coach for a local gym and additionally as the head strength/conditioning coach for a high school football program. I then received further education and my doctorate degree in physical therapy from High Point University in North Carolina. There i was able to apply my sports background and integrate this into my treatment style as a physical therapist.
I have been practicing in a general outpatient ortho setting for 2 years now treating a variety of injuries and working with athletes from many different backgrounds. As a former collegiate athlete, I strive to help others continue to follow their dreams and be able to compete in their activity for as long as possible.
Growing up, I was always very active playing football, hockey and baseball year round. I still like to compete in a different capacity now focusing on my golf swing and playing in a local volleyball league. If you can’t find me out on the range, I’m most likely spending quality time with my significant other and our puppy out on a hike or enjoying a good TV show.
Over the years, I’ve found a passion for working with individuals looking to return to sport or just improve their overall function. It is my goal to continue serve the community and helping others get back to doing what they love most.
Rigo Carbajal
Athletic Trainer
Bio coming soon.
Magdalena Thiel
Physical therapist assistant
Bio and Photo coming soon.