Physical Therapy Team
Aric Pedersen, MPT
Manager | Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy,
and Athletic Training
Education: Master’s degree of Physical Therapy from the University of Wisconsin-Madison
Additional Certifications or Training: Certifications in McKenzie approach and Dry Needling
Professional Areas of Interest: Manager of PT, OT, and Athletic Training
Personal Interests: Enjoys maintaining an active lifestyle including working out, road biking, cross country skiing, golfing
Erin Scherer-DeRosa, PT, DPT
Lead Outpatient Physical Therapist
Education: Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse
Additional Certifications or Training: LSVT Certification, Certified Clinical Instructor, Advanced Credentialed Clinical Instructor, advanced training in orthopedics/sports medicine, strength and conditioning, and dry needling
Professional Interests: Sports, orthopedics, dry needling
Personal Interests: Travel, hiking, biking, kayaking, golf
Katie Schwarz PT, MSPT, CLT,
Lead Inpatient Physical Therapist
Education: Master of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse
Additional Certification or Education: Herdman Competency Certification in Vestibular Rehabilitation
Professional Interests: Acute Care, Vestibular Rehabilitation
Personal Interests: Spending time with my family, coaching high school and youth volleyball and basketball, singing
Madeleine Hepperlen, PT, DPT
Education: Doctor of Physical Therapy from Carroll University
Additional Certifications or Training: Advanced coursework in Pelvic health including Pain and bowel and bladder dysfunction
Professional interests: Orthopedics and pelvic floor
Personal interests: Going to concerts, hiking and marvel movies
Ashley Strasser, PT, DPT
Education: Doctor of Physical Therapy from University of Saint Mary – Leavenworth, KS
Additional Certifications or Training: Herdman Competency Certification in Vestibular Rehabilitation
Professional Interests: Vestibular Conditions, Pediatrics
Personal Interests: Yoga, Hallmark Channel, and spending time with family
Benjamin Thornton, PT, DPT
Education: Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse
Professional interests: Orthopedics, Vestibular, Athletics
Personal interests: Hunting, fishing, hiking, going to sporting events, going to concerts, current wrestling coach at La Crosse Area Wrestlers
Ashley Veglahn, PT, DPT
Education: Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of Wisconsin – Madison
Additional Certifications or Training: Advanced coursework in Trigger Point Dry Needling
Professional Areas of Interest: Orthopedics, Dry Needling, Pregnancy and Post-Partum Care and Pelvic Floor
Personal Interests: I enjoy being active and working out and I love to spend time with my family and my dogs
Derek Waddell, PT, DPT
Education: Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse
Professional Interests: Orthopedics and sports medicine, vestibular therapy, dry needling
Personal Interests: Family and farming
Scott Vatland, PT
Education: Graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Madison
Professional Interests: Acute Care
Personal Interests: Biking, MTB Racing, Volunteer Wrestling Coach
Joe Willis, PT, MSPT, OCS
Education: Master of Science in Physical Therapy from Grand Valley State University,
Additional Certifications or Training: Orthopedic Certified Specialist (OCS), Certified Clinical Instructor I & II, Site Coordinator of Clinical Education, LSVT BIG certified
Professional Interests: orthopedic rehabilitation, complex cases, chronic pain, professional education
Personal Interests: family life, home improvement projects, travelling, golf, beach volleyball, coaching youth sports, watching /attending sporting events
Michelle Willis, PT, MSPT, CEEAA
Education: Master of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse
Additional Certifications or Training: CEEAA, Herdman Competency Certification in Vestibular Rehabilitation; LSVT BIG certified.
Professional Interests: My professional interests are orthopedics, vestibular therapy, and working with the geriatric population.
Personal Interests: I enjoy watching my daughter participate in all her sporting events. As a family, we enjoy attending college sporting events (specifically the Wisconsin Badgers Basketball and Football), Packer games and Brewer games. I also love to travel!
Elizabeth Yamriska, PT, DPT
Education: Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse
Professional Interests: Orthopedics, geriatrics, sports
Personal Interests: Traveling, hiking, kayaking, baking, jigsaw puzzles
Carl Hatfield, PTA
Education: Physical Therapist Assistant – Associate Degree from Southwest Wisconsin Technical
Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Wisconsin – Platteville
Professional Interests: Sports, orthopedics
Personal Interests: Traveling, dogs, helping on my family’s farm, and lifting weights/physical fitness
Sally Light, PTA
Education: Physical Therapist Assistant – Associate Degree from St Mary’s Jr. College
Additional Certifications or Training: LSVT Certification, APTA Credentialed Clinical Instructor
Professional Interests: Acute care, orthopedics, aquatic therapy, geriatrics
Personal Interests: Family, DIY projects, farming, Granny Basketball
Sarah Olson, PTA, ATC Ret.
Education Physical Therapist Assistant – Associate Degree from Western Technical College (La Crosse, WI), Gustavus Adolphus College (St. Peter, MN)
Additional Certifications or Training: Aquatic Integration Practitioner/Instructor
Professional Interests: Aquatic Therapy, Out-Patient Physical Therapy in rural Wisconsin
Personal Interests: Raising twin daughters, crocheting, quilting, baking, and picking blueberries
Allison Williamson, PTA
Education: Physical Therapist Assistant – Associate Degree from Western Technical College
Additional Certifications or Training: APTA Credentialed Clinical Instructor
Professional Interests: Geriatrics, Sports, Orthopedics