Staff
Lori Devore Dryg, MA, CCC-SLP
Title: Supervisor
School and Year of Graduation: Augustana 1984; Western Michigan 1985, MA
Began at Genesis: 1986
Specialization/Certification: Lori is a certified Brain Injury Specialist. She is an active member of the American Speech and Hearing Association and the Quad Cities Speech and Hearing Association.
Community/Recreational Activities: Lori is on the advisory Board for St. Ambrose Master's Program in SLP. She is also currently taking classes for her Master's of Organizational Leadership.
Kristin Eitzman, PT
Title: Physical Therapist
School and Year of Graduation: Wayne State University Detroit, MI 1991
Began at Genesis: 2005
Specialization/Certification: Kristin specializes in treatment of orthopedic conditions. She is especially interested in treating neck pain, TMI, fibromyalgia, arthritis, and chronic pain.
Kimberly Nielson, DPT
Title: Physical Therapist
School and Year of Graduation: University of Northern Iowa 2001, Biology; St. Ambrose University 2009, DPT
Specialization/Certification: Kimberly enjoys treating post-operative orthopedic patients and athletes. In addition, she also enjoys treating pediatrics.
Community/Recreational Activities: Kimberly's recreational hobbies include dancing and playing in the outdoors.
Emily Pierson, DPT, OCS
Title: Physical Therapist
School and Year of Graduation: St. Ambrose University 2001, BS in Biology and DPT
Specialization/Certification: In 2006, Emily completed a year long orthopedic residency and is a board certified physical therapist in orthopedics through the American Physical Therapy Association.
Patricia Darland M.S.P.T., CBIS
Title: Physical Therapist
School and Year of Graduation: University of Iowa 1998, B.S. in Biology; University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Sciences for Physical Therapy 1991, M.S.P.T.
Specialization/Certification: Patricia is a certified brain injury specialist, receiving certification in 2007. She has practiced in a wide variety of settings including hospital based inpatient rehabilitation and acute care, extended care facilities, home health care, and outpatient clinics; treating both neurologic and orthopedic diagnoses. Areas of emphasis in her practice include vestibular and neurologic diagnoses and aquatic therapy for neurologic and orthopedic conditions.
Kirstin Hawley, DPT
Title: Physical Therapist
School and Year of Graduation: St. Ambrose University 2006, DPT
Began at Genesis: 2001
Specialization/Certification: Kirstin has a passion in caring for those with neurological disorders. She also has experience in wheelchair evaluations and aquatic therapy.
Dorene Van Fossen, PT
Title: Physical Therapist
School and Year of Graduation: University of Iowa 1982, MPT
Specialization/Certification: Dorene has twenty-seven years experience in physical therapy, and treating patients in a variety of settings. For the past seventeen years, she has worked in outpatient orthopedic care. She specializes in treatment for chronic pain, often incorporating a soft-tissue treatment called myotherapy in the appropriate patients.
Christine Klemish, PT
Title: Physical Therapist
School and Year of Graduation: Iowa State University; St. Ambrose University 2001, MPT
Specialization/Certification: Christine specializes in both physical therapy and vestibular therapy. She is an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist and a certified strength and conditioning specialist.
Danielle Cook-Roberts, PTA
Title: Physical Therapist Assistant
School and Year of Graduation: Black Hawk College 2002, PTA
Began at Genesis: 2002
Specialization/Certification: In 2002, Danielle achieved her Physical Therapy Assistant Degree from Black Hawk College.
Nancy Greenwood, PTA
Title: Physical Therapist Assistant
School and Year of Graduation: Black Hawk College 1994, PTA
Began at Genesis: 1994
Specialization/Certification: Nancy specializes in multidisciplinary geriatric conditions. In addition, she specializes in aquatic therapy.
Jane Nickles, PTA
Title: Physical Therapist Assistant
School and Year of Graduation: Black Hawk College 1994, A.S. in Physical Therapy
Began at Genesis: 1994
Specialization/Certification: Jane treats a variety of patients including those with orthopedic and neurological conditions. She also specializes in aquatic therapy.
Community/Recreational Activities: Jane is involved in various church activities and Assumption High School activities.
Cherie Blackwell, OTR/L, CHT
Title: Occupational Therapist
School and Year of Graduation: St. Ambrose University 1998, Bachelors in Occupational Therapy and Psychology
Began at Genesis: 2008
Specialization/Certification: Cherie is a certified hand therapist specializing in upper quadrant rehabilitation. Cherie focuses on continuing her education on hand therapy, stroke, and spinal cord injuries.
Susan Clemens, OTR/L CBIS
Title: Occupational Therapist
School and Year of Graduation: St. Ambrose University 1993, Bachelors of Science in Occupational Therapy
Began at Genesis: 1993
Specialization/Certification: Susan specializes in the L.I.F.T. ( Learning Independence for Tomorrow) program. She also works in the cognitive rehabilitation program and is part of the arthritis team. She is an instructor of Arthritis self-help courses, and also works with patients with orthopedic and general neurological conditions.
Community/Recreational Activities: Susan has been married over thirty years, and has four daughters and one son. Susan also has four grandchildren.
Cindy Sortillo, CTRS
Title: Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
School and Year of Graduation: University of Iowa 1993, B.S. in Therapeutic Recreation
Began at Genesis: 1995
Specialization/Certification: National Council for Therapeutic Recreation.
Linda McNeill, SLP
Title: Speech and Language Therapist
School and Year of Graduation: Illinois State University 1980 and 1982, B.S. and Masters of Science in Speech, Language Pathology
Began at Genesis: 1982
Specialization/Certification: Linda helps to coordinate the Aphasia Support Group. She does specialty testing of brain injury and is a Certified Brain Injury Specialist through the Brain Injury Association of Iowa. She provides treatment for dysphasia (swallowing), dysarthria, aphasia, voice disorders, and oral motor dysfunction caused by cerebral vascular accidents, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injuries, cancers, and other various problems. Linda has been a member of Quad Cities Speech and Hearing Association and continues to update her training by earning thirty hours or more of professional education biannually.
Angela Bert
Title: Massage Therapist
Specializations/Certifications: Angela is a licensed massage therapist with over sixteen years of experience. She works with a range of patients from the chronically ill to athletes requiring special extremity work. She updates her skills each year with extensive training, in order to bring the most effective body work methods to the Quad Cities. Massage provides relief to people from all walks of life including those with; cancer, heart disease, diabetes, chronic pain, arthritis, fibromyalgia, sleep apnea; as well as those receiving physical and occupational therapy.
Jessica Chrisman, OTR/L
Title: Occupational Therapist
School and Year of Graduation: Western Michigan University 2010, OT
Began at Genesis: 2011
Specialization/Certification: Currently Jessica practices occupational therapy at two Genesis locations; Genesis Outpatient Rehabilitation at Valley Fair and Maplecrest. Jessica enjoys working with individuals of all ages, with an interest in patients with stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, and upper extremity orthopedic injuries.
Katie Purcell, PT, DPT
Title: Physical Therapist
School and Year of Graduation: St. Ambrose University 2010, DPT
Began at Genesis: 2011
Specialization/Certification: Katie coordinates the Prescription Fitness program for overweight children and sees a variety of diagnoses in the Genesis Outpatient Pediatric Therapy Clinic. In addition, Katie works with adult Neurologic, Orthopeadic and Aquatic patients.
Community/Recreational Activities: Katie enjoys running, reading and spending time with her family.
Elise Voth, PT
Title: Physical Therapist
School and Year of Graduation: St. Ambrose University 2010, PT
Began at Genesis: 2011
Specialization/Certification: Elise specializes in the treatment of orthopedic conditions and vestibular disorders.
Chad West, Rehab Tech II
Title: Rehab Tech II
School and Year of Graduation: Central High School 1993
Began at Genesis: 2010
Specialization/Certification: Chad received his certification in the Arthritis Foundation Aquatic Program. He enjoys directing classes to help individuals find relief with their arthritis. In addition to helping those with arthritis, these classes also help people with fibromyalgia.
Community/Recreational Activities: Chad grew up in Davenport, Iowa, and is a current resident as well. He enjoys music, drawing and reading.
