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 BIG Certification, Certified Clinical Instructor, Advanced Credentialed Clinical Instructor, advanced training in orthopedics/sports medicine, strength and conditioning, and dry needling, PWR! Moves Certificated Therapist
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 pelvic pain, pelvic organ prolapse, bowel dysfunction, bladder dysfunction, pregnancy, postpartum, and pediatric pelvic floor dysfunction. Trained to treat all genders across the lifespan in pelvic health.
Professional interests: Orthopedics, pelvic floor dysfunction, hypermobility spectrum disorders
Personal interests: Going to concerts, hiking and reading
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,
Professional Interests: Orthopedic and sports rehabilitation with special interest in the foot/ankle, manual therapy applications, chronic pain, complex cases, and clinical education
Personal Interests: Family time with wife and daughter, coaching High School volleyball and club sports, personal fitness, attending sporting events, all things Nashville, and sunny vacations
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, PWR! Moves Certified Therapist
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