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. He 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
Vickie Blong, MT
Vickie received her training from Sister Rosalind’s School of Professional Massage in Rochester, MN and is nationally certified. She is well-versed in a wide variety of traditional massage techniques, including deep tissue and Swedish massage. She has since developed additional skills in sports massage, hot stone, and pregnancy massage. She works in a variety of Winona Health settings, including Outpatient Therapy, Rushford Clinic, and Hospice/Palliative Care. She has previously operated her own massage therapy business and was instrumental in the development of the Massage Therapy Program at Southeast MN Technical College here in Winona.
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.
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.
