Outpatient & Inpatient

Rehabilitation Services

Physical Therapy

Lucas Barbknecht, DPT / Department Manager

Lucas graduated from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse in 2009. He works

in the Outpatient department, with focus on orthopedics and aquatic therapy. He

is a certified clinical instructor and has been trained in wheelchair assessments.

Lucas is one of the department Managers.

Natalie Garrison, DPT

Natalie graduated from the University of WI – La Crosse in 2014 with a doctoral

degree in physical therapy. Natalie works in the outpatient setting with clinical

interests in orthopedics, pediatrics, manual therapy, and post-concussion

treatment.

Travis Kramolis, MPT / Department Manager

Travis graduated from University of Wisconsin – La Crosse in 2006. He works in

outpatient therapy with a special interest in sports medicine and orthopedics

where he is a certified clinical instructor. Travis is one of the department

Managers.

Linda Kuhn, MPT

Linda is a graduate of Mayo Clinic’s Physical Therapy program, and began

practicing in 1982. She works primarily in our Inpatient Therapy Department.

Linda has special interest in women’s health, neurology and orthopedics. She too

is a certified clinical instructor.

Physical Therapy

Ben Mahaffey, DPT

Ben is a 2013 graduate of St. Scholastica University in Duluth, MN with a

doctoral degree in physical therapy. His clinical interests include acute care,

vestibular rehab and general outpatient therapy settings.

Diane Montgomery, PT

Diane graduated from Northern Illinois University in 1985 with a degree in

physical therapy. She is certified in McKenzie Mechanical Diagnosis and

Treatment, allowing specialized treatment of neck, back, and related pain.

Additional clinical strengths include: vestibular rehab, orthopedics, fall prevention

and pain reduction through the use of manual therapy techniques and

therapeutic exercise. Diane is a certified clinical instructor who works primarily in

the outpatient setting, both in Winona and Rushford.

Valarie Mullen, MPT

Valerie graduated from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in St.

Augustine, FL in 1997. She has experience in acute care and outpatient

orthopedics. She enjoys muscle energy techniques, foot orthotics, and all types

of orthopedic treatments

Kristi Raadt, MPT

Kristi graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2008 with a doctoral degree

in physical therapy and has since become a certified clinical instructor. She

works in outpatient and acute care settings and has special interests in

orthopedics, women’s health, and pediatrics.

Physical Therapy

Stephanie Rae, DPT

Stephanie received her doctoral of physical therapy degree from the University of

Wisconsin – La Crosse in 2009. She received a bachelor’s degree in Exercise

and Sport Science with an emphasis in fitness from the University of Wisconsin –

La Crosse in 2006. She is certified in Functional Dry Needling through

KinetaCore. She has specialty areas including orthopedics and vestibular

rehabilitation. She utilizes her extensive fitness background and previous

experiences from instructing yoga and Pilates in her treatment approaches.

Utilizing a combination of manual therapy, dry needling, and corrective exercises

she assists with restoring function and reducing pain.

Cindy Teske, PT

Cindy graduated from North Western University in 1988. She has a special

interest in chronic pain and women’s health. She is certified in Manual Lymphatic

Therapy and Strain and Counterstrain since 2004. Cindy is also a certified clinical

instructor and an assistant instructor for the Jones Institute, and was certified in

Functional Dry Needling through Kinetacore in 2015.

Leah Winecke, DPT

Leah graduated from Des Moines University in Des Moines, IA with a Doctorate

of Physical Therapy in 2013. Her clinical strengths include manual therapy

techniques and she has a passion for neuromuscular re-education. She is trained

in vestibular rehabilitation and is in charge of our work conditioning program.

Leah also works occasionally in our Occupational Health Department setting

functional work restrictions.

Becca Cleland, PTA / Gemba Coordinator

Having graduated in 2001 from Western Technical College in La Crosse, WI,

Becca's interests include lymphedema, women’s health, and pediatrics. She

plays an integral part in scheduling, the billing processes and electronic medical

record support for the rehab department. She also coordinates much of the

therapy services day-to-day activities.

Physical Therapy

Julie Gregory, PTA

Julie has been practicing since 1998 and works in the outpatient setting with

interest in neurological and orthopedic patients. She graduated from Western

Technical College in La Crosse, WI and is a certified STOTT Pilates instructor.

She is the clinical coordinator for our PT and PTA students.

Chad Vix, PTA

Chad graduated in 2003 from Western Technical College in La Crosse, WI. He is

interested in sports medicine and orthopedics with experience in acute care,

home care, long term care, and currently works in our outpatient clinics—both in

Winona and Rushford. Chad is a certified clinical instructor.

Teri Lee, PTA

Teri graduated Western Technical College in La Crosse, WI in 1995. She has a

variety of experience in multiple settings, including: outpatient, work conditioning,

employee health, acute care, home health, long term care and aquatic therapy.

She is also a Certified Kinesiotape Practitioner.

Occupational Therapy

Emily Breunig, OTR/L

Emily graduated from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse in 2010. She has

experience in acute, home care and long-term care settings. She has a

certification in lymphedema therapy and other emphasized areas in her practice

include pediatrics and hand therapy. She also has been trained in wheelchair

evaluations and has experience in the area of home safety assessments.

Kyann Brown, OTR/L

Kyann graduated from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse with a master’s

degree in occupational therapy in 2014. She provides outpatient occupational

therapy with a focus on orthopedics and pediatrics. She also supports acute care

in the hospital. Kyann has experience working with people with mental health

diagnosis and cognitive disabilities, and is passionate about helping people

achieve a high quality of life.

Brittany Payne, COTA

Brittany is 2012 graduate of Western Technical College in La Crosse, WI. She

supports both our inpatient and outpatient therapy departments, with experience

in the homecare setting. Her interests include all therapy settings, where she

enjoys diversity and learning new techniques.

Speech-Language Pathology

Megan Karr, CCC, SLP

Megan graduated with a Master’s level degree from the University of South

Dakota – Vermillion in 2012. She supports the Speech Therapy department and

enjoys a wide variety of therapy settings, diagnoses, and age groups.

Carol Meyer-Boldon, CCC, SLP

Carol graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire in 1982. She has

experience working with all ages especially in the areas of treating stroke, and

speech, language, and swallowing dysfunction. With such experience, Carol has

developed special interest in the adult population, but has enjoyed great success

in pediatrics as well.

Massage Therapy

Donna McBride, MT

In 1999, Donna graduated from Sister Rosalind’s School of Professional

Massage in Rochester, MN and is Board Certified. Prior to that, she spent many

years as a CNA. She enjoys working with all ages, from infants to the elderly.

She has experience with massage for Hospice patients, infant massage, labor

and delivery support, lymphatic drainage, hot stone massage, and reflexology.

Her specialties include deep tissue and Swedish massage. She too covers

massage in Outpatient Therapy, Inpatient Services, Lake Winona Manor, and

Hospice. Donna is nationally certified and has her own business on the side.

Maureen Pelissero, MT

Maureen graduated from the Minnesota School of Business in 2011 receiving an

Associate’s Degree in Massage Therapy. She has worked in several settings

since, including a small massage business, spas, a wellness center, and even as

a massage instructor. Her style combines relaxation with rehabilitation

techniques. She enjoys using various modalities with each session, such as

myofascial release, deep tissue, trigger point therapy, and Thai massage.

Maureen believes in individualized care for each patient and enjoys problem

solving in order to improve their quality of life. She loves working with all

populations but has a special spot for pregnant women, being a mother of 3

herself. She lives in Winona and tries to spend as much time outdoors as

possible. In her free time, Maureen enjoys hiking, yoga, and art in all its forms.

Therapy Support Staff

Brittney Hatter, Medical Secretary

Brittney began her experience in 2004 as an office assistant and started working

at Winona Health in 2008. She graduated from Minnesota Southeast Technical

College in 2011 with Medical Secretary and Medical Coding degrees and

graduated in May 2014 with an Administrative Assistant degree.

Cheryl Vaughn, Medical Secretary

Originally from Winona, Cheryl graduated from Minnesota Southeast Technical

College. Cheryl began her experience in 1978 working in admitting and medical

records. She works in our outpatient therapy department with the special task of

scanning, data entry, insurance and scheduling support.

Becky Zittel, Medical Secretary

Becky has been in the medical field since 1993. Her expertise is in claims

management as well as receptionist / secretary duties in the health related field.

Beth Gappa, Rehab Aide

Beth graduated from Winona State University with a degree in Athletic Training in

2008. She has had experience working with a variety of patients, from the athletic

population to assisting with treatment of stroke and spinal cord injury patients.

She is the coordinator for OT/COTA students as well as any observation

students for the department. Beth also supports the department with patient,

secretarial, and computer assistance.