Cohen Health and Performance who we are

Our team of physical therapists and performance coaches are committed to raising the bar of healthcare and training here in Bethesda and McLean. We believe that anyone who values an active and healthy lifestyle deserves nothing less than the highest quality of care, a level of attention and dedication that is often reserved for elite athletes. Our mission is clear: to enrich the lives of those who aspire to lead an active lifestyle by delivering exceptional physical therapy and performance training services.

In pursuing this mission, we set ourselves apart by treating every client as unique. We recognize that your path to recovery and performance enhancement is unlike anyone else’s, and we believe that a tailored approach is essential for achieving the best results. Unlike clinics that simultaneously divide their attention among multiple patients, we ensure that your time with us is exclusively devoted to you. This one-on-one approach empowers us to help you overcome injuries efficiently and swiftly, facilitating your return to peak performance in the shortest possible time.

Our comprehensive physical therapy services are designed to address a wide range of needs, from recovering from injuries to optimizing your physical potential. We understand that life’s unexpected challenges can lead to injuries or physical setbacks, and our expert team of physical therapists is dedicated to guiding you through the healing process. We offer personalized treatment plans that consider your unique circumstances and goals.

For athletes and weekend warriors who seek to optimize their performance, our performance training programs are second to none. We have Performance U for high school athletes dreaming of playing collegiate sports, Adult Strength and Conditioning, and our Peak Performance Blueprint to show athletes how they can optimize their athletic potential.

We firmly believe that when you invest in your health and well-being, you deserve the best care and attention. Our commitment is to provide the level of care you truly deserve, helping you recover, thrive, and lead a fulfilling, active lifestyle. Our philosophy is simple: your health is our priority, and we are here to support you on your journey to a stronger, healthier, and more active life.

MEET OUR TEAM

Dr. Zac began his career working in professional sports. He noticed a large discrepancy between the quality of care that elite athletes receive when compared to the normal active public. This inspired him to create Cohen Health and Performance, a place that treats everyone as if they are a professional athlete!

He graduated summa cum laude from Northeastern University in 2011 with his Doctorate in Physical Therapy, and also became a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). While at Northeastern he worked as a Physical Therapy Graduate Assistant for the New England Patriots, and served as a strength and conditioning coach for Northeastern University athletics.

Prior to moving to Maryland, Zac was a Performance Physical Therapist with EXOS (formerly known as Athletes’ Performance) in Dallas, TX where he treated and trained the world’s most gifted athletes from throughout the NFL, MLB, NBA, MLS, and various Olympic teams.

Dr. Debra Rios is Vice President of Cohen Health and Performance. She received her Doctorate of Public Health in Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences from The University of Texas School of Public Health. She has also been a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) for over 13 years. Dr. Rios has worked in a variety of public health settings and focus areas including worksite wellness, teenage pregnancy prevention, tobacco research/prevention, and obesity prevention.

Dr. Sebastian was a Division 1 baseball pitcher until a shoulder injury cut his career short. This led him to discover his passion for helping others recover from injury, and perform the sports and activities they love. His journey began as a baseball coach, private instructor, and performance coach before he decided to pursue a career in physical therapy so that he can best serve athletes of all ages.

Sebastian played baseball at St. Bonaventure University, where he was a conference starter as a freshman. Following his injury and retirement from baseball, Sebastian began coaching and working as a full-time baseball instructor in Ohio. From there, Sebastian had coaching stints in Florida and New York, both as a head coach and pitching coach for middle school and high school athletes. Sebastian completed his Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from SUNY Fredonia before attending the University of Rhode Island, where he graduated as a Doctor of Physical Therapy. He completed clinical affiliations at Precision Physical Therapy and Performance in Pittsburgh, PA, and at Force Physical Therapy in Miami, FL. During this time, he focused on baseball training and rehabilitation, and worked with professional baseball and football players, and college athletes preparing for the NFL Combine.

Sebastian is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength & Conditioning Association. He uses his blend of knowledge in physical therapy, strength & conditioning, and coaching, to best serve an active population.

Not far from home, Dr. Kelly was born and raised in the DMV area. She spent the majority of her time growing up swimming and playing soccer, and carried on her passion for sport by committing to swim Division I for Virginia Tech.

During her 4 years as a Hokie, she earned a bachelor’s degree in Human Nutrition, Food, and Exercise, as well as becoming a team captain and school record holder. Her time spent in the athletic training room, both as an athlete and an intern, is what pushed her to pursue a career in physical therapy.

Kelly continued her education at Emory & Henry College where she graduated with a Doctorate of Physical Therapy. She gained experience through her clinical rotations working with a variety of patient populations including paralympic athletes, pediatrics, high school athletes and weekend warriors. Kelly is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, as well as USA Swimming Certified Swim Coach.

Outside of the clinic, you can find her coaching for the Potomac Marlins or training for a running race/triathlon!

Dr. Ethan has always had a passion for athletics and knew he wanted to follow a career path that would allow him to help injured athletes return and stay on the field. This passion for athletics led him to receive his bachelor’s degree in athletic training from the University of Delaware where he worked exclusively with Division 1 athletes and completed two separate NFL internships.

Ethan continued his doctoral education at Florida International University in Miami. During his time at FIU, Ethan obtained his Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist certification and completed an internship at EXOS Arizona– a top sports performance clinic in the U.S. Ethan strives to bring his expertise and diverse athletic experience to CHP to provide his clients with the individualized care that will keep them thriving on and off the playing field.

Dr. Sam grew up in Minnesota and spent his time getting involved in as many sports as possible including baseball, soccer, basketball, and football. He went on to attend Bethany Lutheran College in Minnesota, a small Division III college; this allowed Sam to participate in both soccer and track and field at a collegiate level while maintaining his focus on academics.
During his time at Bethany, he was team captain of the track and field team and president of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee. After he completed his Bachelor of Science in Biology, he went on to pursue a Doctor of Physical Therapy from Chatham University in Pittsburgh, PA. In addition to excelling at his coursework, Sam spent much of his time participating in journal clubs and discussion groups with physical therapists and other clinicians to enhance his knowledge within the realm of sports medicine.

Today, Sam spends his free time exploring hiking trails, playing flag football, or kicking back with a book. He is excited to serve the DMV area and help his patients get back to doing the things that they love to do.

Personalized care

We treat you individually so that you get back to performing the activities you love as quickly as possible. Our physical therapists will never compromise the quality of care that they can deliver by treating multiple patients at the same time. While this is common practice at other physical therapy clinics, this is simply not the CHP way!