The Story and Team Behind Our Approach to Physical Therapy, Rehab, and Strength Training
Long-term health depends on consistent exercise. When injury strikes, physical therapy should do more than just relieve pain—it should rebuild strength and resilience, ensuring a return to lifelong movement. At Smith Performance Center, our team of physical therapists and strength coaches bridges the gap between rehab and strength training, helping people recover, move better, and stay active for life. Our mission is to provide expert care, a clear plan, and the support needed to prevent setbacks and maximize performance.
Our Story: Redefining Physical Therapy & Rehab
A Commitment to Changing the Standard of Care
Founded in 2015, Smith Performance Center (SPC) was built on the mission of empowering individuals to take control of their health. We help people facing pain, injury, or inactivity regain control through a seamless system of physical therapy, strength training, education, and community support, fostering long-term resilience and well-being.
The Journey from Pain to an Active Lifestyle Is Not Straightforward
We understand that the path to recovery and an active lifestyle is rarely linear. Transforming pain sufferers into confident, active individuals is the driving force behind our work. Our goal is to help as many people as possible live and enjoy their bodies with freedom. Through our SPC Phase System, we identify the right problem and provide the right support, offering solutions that empower our clients to overcome their challenges and achieve long-lasting results.
The Provider Experience Matters Too
At SPC, we knew that creating a better experience for our clients also meant transforming the provider experience. We recognized the need for time: shifting from rushed 10- to 15-minute sessions to full 60-minute consultations, giving our providers the space to think critically and provide high-quality care. We also realized that our values didn’t align with a system where treatment was dictated by external forces like insurance. While we understand its importance, we couldn’t support a model that forced us to see 20 patients a day, compromising the quality of care we stand by.
A major innovation in our approach was integrating strength coaches into the care process. By bridging physical therapy and strength training, we ensure long-term success for our clients, reducing recurrence and over-medicalization that often occurs in traditional models.
We knew from the beginning we needed to ensure continuous growth. This led to us heavily investing in our training and reflection, with over 100 hours a year spent in practitioner and coaching meetings. We view collaboration as key—not just within our team but with the broader community.
And so, we launched Smith Performance Center in a small, cramped office, with no door handles, backed up to a power plant. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was the beginning of something transformative—a vision for a new standard of care that would grow into the heart of our community.
Our Core Values: What Drives Us
Our team is driven by our mission to help the community, and we live by the core values we demonstrate each day with every client.
Great with People
We believe in the power of human connection. By being socially and emotionally intelligent, we provide excellent customer service and a first-class experience for everyone who walks through our doors.
Ideal Team Player
Our team is built on humility, diligence, and strong communication. We emphasize the team over self, stay self-motivated to perform at our best, and value smart interactions that support our teammates. When the team succeeds, everyone benefits.
Growth Minded
We’re not afraid of failure—what we fear is not learning, not developing, and not improving. We welcome challenges because we know they stretch us and help us reach our potential. The more we grow, the more people we can help.
Meet Our Team: Tucson’s Movement, Rehab, and Strength Specialists
At Smith Performance Center, our team is the heart of what we do. Each member brings their unique expertise and passion for helping people regain control of their health while operating within the SPC system. Together, we form a diverse group of physical therapists, strength coaches, and support staff who work collaboratively to ensure every client receives the care they need.
We pride ourselves on creating an environment where both clients and providers thrive. Our commitment to ongoing professional development means that our team is always learning, always growing, and always striving to offer the best care and experience possible. Every member of our team believes in the power of collaboration—whether it’s working with clients or each other—because we know that together, we achieve more.
Craig Smith
Co-owner and Physical Therapist
Dr. Craig Smith, co-owner of Smith Performance Center, is a distinguished physical therapist who emphasizes collaboration and a team-based approach to patient care, with a clinical focus on extremity injuries and a dedication to improving outcomes through research and innovative processes.
Sarah Smith
Co-owner and Physical Therapist
Dr. Sarah Smith, co-owner of Smith Performance Center, specializes in treating spine-related conditions and chronic pain with a patient-first approach, emphasizing thorough diagnosis, long-term care, and empowering patients to manage their symptoms independently.
Kelly Watkins
Business Analyst
Kelly Watkins is our lead business analyst and administrator, overseeing performance metrics, scheduling, and process improvement at SPC. Kelly collaborates closely with our team to optimize operations and support our commitment to excellence.
Sean McConnell
Strength Coach
Sean McConnell, a strength and conditioning coach at Smith Performance Center, combines personal experience and professional expertise to help clients overcome obstacles, master the fundamentals, and achieve long-term fitness success through a practical, client-centered approach.
Edy Yee
Physical Therapist
Dr. Edith ‘Edy’ Yee, PT, DPT, is an experienced physical therapist with over 20 years specializing in spinal and shoulder conditions, known for her patient-centered approach that combines thorough diagnosis, manual therapy, and education to empower patients to manage their pain, improve movement, and achieve long-term relief.
Carlee Uhrich
Physical Therapist
Carlee Uhrich, PT, COMT, is a highly skilled physical therapist with nearly two decades of experience, known for her meticulous, diagnosis-driven approach that integrates manual therapy and individualized exercise programs to address complex musculoskeletal issues and achieve lasting patient outcomes.
Spencer Roberts
Strength Coach
Spencer Roberts, with over four decades of experience as an exercise physiologist and multi-sport training coach, combines his expertise in fitness, cardiac rehab, and exercise psychology to create sustainable, client-centered programs that optimize long-term performance and foster lasting commitment to health.
Kenny Sewall
Strength Coach
Kenny Sewall specializes in helping individuals overcome mental and physical barriers to regain their physical capacity and achieve performance goals, blending his military background, expertise in exercise science, and adaptive coaching approach to support clients in maintaining a healthy and disciplined exercise routine.
Ursula Nelson
Strength Coach
After retiring from a career in environmental quality, Ursula Nelson joined Smith Performance Center to pursue her passion for fitness, bringing years of strength training experience and a dedication to balanced exercise. As a longtime SPC member, she is excited to help clients reach their goals through SPC’s thoughtful, transformative programming.
Alex Griffis
Physical Therapist
Alex Griffis, PT, DPT, is a dedicated physical therapist who specializes in treating lower extremity and spine injuries, using a personalized approach that combines manual therapy, dry needling, and targeted exercise to help clients recover from pain and return to their desired activities.
Braden Johnson
Strength Coach
Braden Johnson is a passionate strength and conditioning coach with a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science, earned in May 2024. With over seven years of experience in resistance training, Braden deeply understands both the physical and emotional challenges that accompany injury setbacks. His focus on preventive medicine through exercise drives him to help individuals not only achieve their fitness goals but also build long-term confidence and self-efficacy in their training.
