R.O.C.K. docs

 Dr. Jesse R Pasag, DPT, OCS (co-member) is an American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist. Dr. Pasag has been practicing physical therapy here on Kauai since 2010 where his focus has been on providing the residents of Kauai cutting-edge manual therapy intervention with an emphasis on spinal rehabilitation.Dr. Pasag is a graduate of the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) in 2000 with a Bachelors of Science degree in Physiological Science. Dr. Pasag went on to obtain his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Southern California (USC) in 2007. In 2008, Dr. Pasag completed a year-long orthopedic residency with Kaiser Permanente’s Orthopedic Residency Program. He received his Orthopedic Clinical Specialist Certification in 2010.Dr. Pasag has volunteered and participated in various community and neighborhood events across the island where he was able to provide physical therapy consultation, treatment and medical expertise on a pro bono basis. Dr. Pasag has helped many of Kauai’s residents – from keiki to kupuna – regain lost function, all while improving their strength, reducing their pain and increasing their independence. 

 Dr, Jennifer M Tavares-Pasag, DPT (co-member) is a Kauai-born “local-girl” who graduated from Waimea High School in 1999. Dr. Tavares-Pasag then went on to college at Pacific Lutheran University where she graduated with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Physical Education in 2003.While in college, Dr. Tavares-Pasag always knew she wanted to return to Kauai to focus on helping the special needs keiki, so she furthered her education by attending the University of Southern California (USC) to obtain her graduate degree. In 2006, Dr. Tavares-Pasag obtained her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree.Instead of returning to Kauai immediately after graduating with her doctorate, Dr. Tavares-Pasag thought she would better serve the keiki of Kauai by gaining valuable clinical experience working with the special needs community of Los Angeles. She worked 4 years with California Children’s Services where she developed her pediatric skill-set, as well as gained invaluable experience managing a bi-weekly orthotics clinic, as well as a monthly durable medical equipment clinic.Dr. Tavares-Pasag brought her experience and love for our special-needs population to the island of Kauai – her home – in 2010.

 Melissa was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. She began her college career swimming for North Carolina State University, majoring in Biological Sciences. As a student athlete, she graduated with summa cum laude honors and advanced on to get her doctorate in physical therapy at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill.Following her dream to move to Kauai, she has gained seven years experience in out-patient orthopedic sports medicine physical therapy. Her treatment style involves the integration of the mind and body, with an emphasizes on the interconnectedness of our musculoskeletal system. Melissa believes in the importance of education and empowering patients to have a greater understanding of their body and awareness of movement. She has strong experience in core stabilization exercises, ACL injury prevention methods, and myofascial trigger point release techniques. Outside of the clinic, Melissa spends her time training as a competitive crossfit athlete and olympic weightlifter. 

Dr. Roberto "Tito" Castillo, DPT is an Illinois native, born and raised in the city of Chicago. Tito earned his B.S. in Biological Sciences from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), returning two years later to earn his Doctorate in Physical Therapy degree. Tito has enjoyed all aspects of physical therapy including working in orthopedics,  sports rehab, spinal cord services, as well as volunteering in mentorship programs for keiki involved in school health and wellness programs.

It was no surprise that Dr. Tito fell in love with Kauai and its Kamaʻāina after a clinical rotation on its west-side. He now feels privileged to provide P.T. services at ROCK P.T.. Dr. Tito is looking forward to furthering his education and experience in manual therapy intervention, disorders of the spine and chronic pain management, to better serve the people of Kauai. He utilizes a holistic approach to patient care, providing insight and intervention for all aspects of physical and mental well-being.