Aquatic Rehab

Karen knew that physical therapy was the career path of choice for her when worked in the physical therapy department at the local hospital in Pittsburg, Kansas while completing her undergraduate degree. While in physical therapy school, Karen completed several clinical rotations including a six week rotation in Johannesburg, South Africa. Karen has always enjoyed traveling, and by traveling during her clinical rotations, she met a variety of people from all walks of life. During her work in South Africa, she learned an appreciation for overall human nature which has enabled her to better relate to her patients and treat them with care and compassion.

Karen has had intensive training in manual therapy techniques of both the spine and peripheral joints and has a “hands-on” manual therapy approach with all her patients. In 2016, Karen completed two years of classes and training in manual therapy and is a Certified Manual Physical Therapist through the North American Institute of Orthopedic Manual Therapy (NAIOMT). Karen is also a Therapeutic Pain Specialist and helps teach and guide her patients with pain neuroscience education. Her philosophy as a physical therapist is to treat the patient as a whole and incorporate the physical, mental, and psychosocial aspects of patient care during her treatments. Karen provides individualized attention and specialized care and treats each patient as if they are her only patient.

In her spare time, Karen likes to be active and enjoys golfing, traveling, and spending time with her husband, three sons, and her family and friends. She is often found outdoors with her children playing baseball, basketball, and soccer. Karen is the APT Practice Management Director as well as the Wichita Regional Director for Advanced Physical Therapy.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Pittsburg State University 1998
• Master’s degree in Physical Therapy from The University of Kansas Medical Center 2000

Additional Training

• Certified Manual Physical Therapist through NAIMOT
• ASTYM certified
• Kinesio Taping

Focus

• Manual Therapy
• Orthopedics
• Sport Rehabilitation
• Neurological
• Chronic/Traumatic Injuries
• Pre/Post Op Therapy
• Work Comp
• Pediatric PT
• Dry Needling – Level 1

Cassandra fell in love with Physical Therapy while job shadowing in high school. Several years of teaching swimming lessons and training lifeguards helped prepare her to push others towards physical success. She loves to work with people and helping them succeed in reaching a better quality of life. Cassandra enjoys swimming; snow skiing, wakeboarding, boating, fishing, and traveling. Family and friends play a huge part in her life. Cassandra sets a goal to connect with each and every patient forming a relationship; listening to their goals, and helping them progress.

Education

• CPTA – graduated from Hutchinson Community College (2012) with an Associate in Allied Health

Additional Training

• ASTYM

Focus

• Manual Therapy
• Geriatrics
• Sports Rehab
• Aquatic Rehab

During her undergraduate schooling, Sara shadowed a Pediatric Physical Therapist and knew that Physical Therapy was the career for her. She especially enjoyed how physical therapists got to see patients through the end of rehab and really got to know them during that process. Throughout her time at Wichita State, Sara had the opportunity to take two short-term physical therapy medical mission trips to Kenya and Haiti. Those experiences were both eye-opening and humbling, Sara hopes to return sometime in the future. In Sara’s spare time, she loves to spend time with her family, friends, and fur babies.

Education

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from Kansas State University in 2013
• Doctor of Physical Therapy from Wichita State University in 2017

Focus

• Special Interest in Pediatrics and Aquatic Therapy

Ann has been been married to her husband Brian for 17 years. They have 2 amazing boys, Jake (11) and Jhett (8). She enjoys being outside, running and traveling. She has run 8 marathons and hopes to be able to do more! Ann has worked for APT since 2012 and truly enjoys her work, the people she works with and the patients she gets to meet along the way.

Education

• Bachelors of Science degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Friends University in 1997
• Physical Therapy Assistant degree from Wichita State University in 1999

Additional Training

• ASTYM certified

Focus

• Sports Rehabilitation
• Shoulder and Knee Rehabilitation

Elissa grew up working on her family farm in the small town of Gypsum, Kansas. She grew up playing a variety of sports and continued to play at Bethany College. During her education as an Athletic Trainer, she found her passion for creating rehabilitation programs for student-athletes. She worked for a year as the head Athletic Trainer at a local high school. From there she was accepted into the WSU Physical Therapy program. Through PT school, she gained a strong interest and love for working with pediatric patients and their families. She enjoys building a strong professional relationship with all of her patients.

In her spare time, Elissa loves to spend time on the farm, with friends and family, and being outside.

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Athletic Training from Bethany College in 2012
• Doctor of Physical Therapy from Wichita State University in 2016

Additional Training

• Certified and Licensed Athletic Trainer

Focus

• Full Spectrum Physical Therapy with a special interest in pediatrics

Janelle graduated from Wichita State University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy Program in 2019. She grew up in Derby, Kansas and completed a two year internship with Derby High School’s athletic trainer prior to graduate school. She also has clinical experience with vestibular disorders, a variety of neurological pediatric diagnoses and Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA) with an emphasis on athlete rehabilitation. Janelle looks forward to expanding her knowledge to better serve her patients and undertake their rehabilitation goals. When not in the clinic, Janelle enjoys working out ,attending sporting events and spending time with family and friends.

Education

• Wichita State University, BS – 2015
  • Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science
• Wichita State University – 2019
  • Doctor of Physical Therapy

Focus

• Outpatient Orthopedics
• Post-Op
• Pediatrics

As a physical therapist, Jill strives to treat each patient as an individual. She strives to practice with the most up to date, best evidence-based practice and commit herself to a lifetime of continuous learning.

Throughout clinicals, Jill has gained a special interest in treating neurological disorders including stroke, TBI, Parkinson’s and more. In the future, she plans to deepen her skills and knowledge in the treatment of neurological disorders.

In her free time, Jill enjoys baking, going on runs with her two dogs and spending with her family and friends.

Education

• Newman University – 2016
  • Bachelor’s of Science in Biology
• University of Saint Mary – 2020
  • Doctor of Physical Therapy

Focus

• Neurological Physical Therapy
• Manual Therapy
• General Orthopedics