Rajendran Thangamuthu, DPT
Owner and Physical Therapist
Raj’s physical therapy career began in 1992 after graduating from SRIPMS College in India. He spent 3 years practicing there before moving to Kuwait and joining the Ministry of Health Hospitals system. In 1996, he came to the United States and practiced in various hospitals and clinics before opening his practice in 2008. AquatiCare Physical Therapy allowed Raj to focus on superior patient care and treat patients with fewer visits and better results. In 2011, he opened Empower Physical Therapy and Fitness – an innovative concept integrating Physical Therapy and Fitness in one facility.
Raj is devoted to lifelong learning and throughout his career has gained extensive experience in manual therapy including training at the Ola Grimsby Institute, C-OMPT specialist, Level 3 McKenzie NDT trained, IASTM (Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization) and Myofascial Release education through Thomas Myers Anatomy Trains. He received his Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2011. Raj is a certified Neurac Therapist, Pilates instructor, an avid student of Hot Yoga.
Raj is passionate about working with the elderly and has created a unique Fall Prevention Program to improve patient’s balance and coordination as they age. He utilizes a wide variety of equipment to address balance deficits including Pneumex Unweighting System, Biodex and Balance Gym.
Certified in performing Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCE) and Work Site Analyses, Raj has pioneered the development of performance enhancement programs for DuPont. He has worked directly with the Resin, Dispersion, Fire Brigade, and Emergency Services departments.
In his free time, Raj enjoys spending time with his wife, son and two daughters.
Brittany Kozicki, PT, DPT, OCS
Director of Operations - Long Lake
Brittany graduated from Michigan State University in 2014 with a Bachelor’s in Kinesiology and Exercise Science and then attended the University of Michigan - Flint where she received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2017 and has been a practicing physical therapist for seven years.
She has a passion for orthopedic physical therapy and enjoys working with patients of all ages– whether it be helping patients return to sports or their functional abilities. She has a special appreciation for runners and has treated many sports-related injuries - aging from adolescents, collegiate athletes, and even former professional athletes. She has taken several continuing education courses and has training in Dry Needling, the McKenzie method for the lumbar and cervical spine, static and dynamic cupping, Graston techniques, Kinesio taping, ACL rehabilitation, and gait analysis for runners. Her treatment style includes an individualized physical therapy regimen to help you meet your goals and get you back to what you want to do.
In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her dog Maddie, rooting on the Detroit Lions, traveling, and participating in Pilates/Barre and all outdoor activities including - water skiing, snowboarding, and golfing. She ran her first Marathon in October 2019, which she views as one of her biggest accomplishments yet!
“I wanted to become a PT because I have a passion for exercise, being active, and people! One of my biggest joys in life is helping people get back to the things they love. I was drawn to PT because it encompasses all of those aspects”- Brittany
Brittni Cruse, DPT, CSCS, PCES
Brittni Cruse graduated from Grand Valley State University in 2013 with a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Exercise Science. After earning her degree, she dove into fitness as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor. Her passion for helping others led her to further her education at the University of Michigan - Flint, where she completed her Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2018.
Brittni has been practicing with outpatient orthopedics, specializing in pelvic health, pre- and post-partum exercise programming, pain management, and working with athletes and amputees for the last six years. She also has additional training in dry needling, which enhances her ability to provide comprehensive care.
Brittni’s dedication to health, wellness, and fitness drives her to empower others on their journey to better health. She is married and enjoys life with her two young children and a miniature schnauzer.
Renata Zelenak PT
Physical Therapist - Hall Road
Renata Zelenak is a Michigan licensed Physical Therapist, who obtained her physical therapy degree in 1992, in Germany. After completing her Orthopedic and Neurologic Physical Therapy residency, she relocated to Michigan and started her career in a hospital-based outpatient clinic, at Cottage Hospital, in Grosse Pointe. Later, she worked at an orthopedic outpatient clinic, at Lowell Park – HFHS, in Sterling Heights, and in 2022, she joined the Empower PT and Fitness team, in Clinton Township.
Her experience comes from treating patients with orthopedic and neurological medical conditions, with an emphasis on improving their quality of life and returning patients to their desired level of fitness. She also has experience working with the pediatric orthopedic and sports population. Renata believes that through effective communication/education and use of manual therapy in conjunction with functional re-training, every person can make improvements in their physical fitness.
Renata has always enjoyed working with people of all different ages and backgrounds and additionally, she served as a clinical instructor at her previous clinics, as a proctor at Wayne State University, and as a medical interpreter for Slovak, Czech and German speaking natives. Additionally, she keeps up with current research to combine both evidence and research-based practice with interventions to maximize the outcomes.
Jenna Harris, PT, DPT
Lead Physical Therapist - Long Lake
Jenna Harris graduated from Michigan State University with a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology in 2017. She traveled to New York to attend New York Medical College where she graduated with her Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2020. Jenna loves working in the outpatient orthopedic setting where she can treat patients with a variety of different conditions and has taken a special interest in women’s health and pelvic floor conditions of which she has completed additional specialized training. She has also completed courses to become certified in Dry Needling, Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization, and Kinesiology Taping. Jenna entered this field because she enjoys helping others improve their quality of life.
Outside of work, Jenna likes to go hiking and spend time outdoors with her husband and their dog. She recommends Grand Island and North Manitou Island for hiking or backpacking trips in Michigan.
Kristie Grochowski, PTA
Physical Therapist Assistant - Long Lake
Kristie graduated in 2000 from Oakland University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science. She was a certified personal trainer for a few years after graduating, then took time off to start and raise a family. After 10 years as a Stay at Home Mom, Kristie returned to school in 2017 to pursue her passion-working in the physical therapy field. In September 2019, she graduated from South University with an Associate’s degree in Applied Sciences in Physical Therapy Assisting.
Outside of work, Kristie’s time is spent with her husband at numerous sporting events cheering on their 3 boys.
Janelle Recca, PTA
Physical Therapist Assistant - Hall Road
Janelle began her journey in kinesiology by teaching yoga at Updog Yoga in downtown Rochester. Through volunteering with the “Ohm Squad”, providing free yoga to St John’s Hospital in Detroit, she learned that her passion was to help individuals who struggled with movement. Helping someone achieve what they believe is unachievable is the work that changes lives. Janelle is passionate about showing people what they can do.
In 2011 she became certified as a Basic EMT. In 2018, Janelle graduated with a Bachelor of Health Science and a Minor in Exercise Science from Oakland University. Later Janelle became a licensed Physical Therapy Assistant through Macomb Community College.
In her free time, Janelle performs and teaches partner acrobatics. Her interest in the circus arts began when she was 15 yr old. What started as a hobby has now become a passion. Since 2011, Janelle has run a local community organization centered around teaching and practicing various art forms within the circus arts.
Empower stands out to Janelle as a clinic that provides a holistic approach to therapy. She loves that this company turns no one away and strives to find the right method for each person. Empower recognizes that physical therapy is not “one size fits all” and provides the opportunity to help people find more fulfillment in life.
Hannah Briggs
Front Desk Manager
Hannah graduated from Oakland Community College with an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in American Sign Language. After college, she decided to embrace her love for animals by working at the front desk of a veterinary clinic. She found that in addition to her enjoyment of working with animals, she also liked working with their families. Once she discovered the love of working with people, she changed industries and began attending to the clientele at Empower PT.
In her current role as Front Desk Manager, she values working not only as a team but as a family. Working at Empower has allowed her to learn and grow with her job responsibilities. She enjoys getting to know patients, their stories, and how she can improve their experience here while they receive physical therapy.
She is an early riser and an active participant in CrossFit. She has a beautiful Golden Retriever named Daniel and loves to take him for walks. Some of her ‘favorite things’ are bonfires and camping with Fall being her favorite season - and not just because her birthday lands in the Fall.
