OUR SPEAKERS
The majority of our speakers are respected health professionals working in the St. Louis region. They volunteer their time to help us with our mission!
SYLVIA CZUPPON, PT, DPT, OCS
Sylvia is one of the co-founders of STLFSMI. She is an Associate Professor of Physical Therapy and Orthopaedic Surgery at Washington University School of Medicine. Dr. Czuppon received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Washington University. Within her clinical practice, she has a special interest in returning patients to their pre-injury level of function and/or sport, as well as reducing risk factors for re-injury. While the foundation of this interest is rooted in personal injury, it grew as she watched her daughter start regular sports participation. Sylvia enjoys playing basketball and instructs/participates in Tae Kwon Do with her entire family in her free time.
BROOKE KALISIAK, PT, DPT, WCS
Brooke is one of the co-founders of STLFSMI. She is the owner of Legacy Physical Therapy an outpatient physical therapy clinic that specializes in women’s health and pelvic rehabilitation. Brooke is a board certified women's health physical therapist with a passion for treating women. She has a Doctorate of Physical Therapy and a Master of Science in Physical Therapy from Washington University in Saint Louis.
JAMIE CASSELL, MS, RD, LD
Jamie is a registered dietitian with an interest in sports nutrition and weight management. She got her bachelor's degree in nutrition from Mississippi State University, where she also played collegiate volleyball and has a master's in nutrition and physical performance from St. Louis University. Growing up playing sports, she wanted to learn how to fuel her body for her sport and now she enjoys teaching others how to do the same. Her favorite quote is, "To eat is a necessity, to eat intelligently is an art. -La Rochefoucauld"
CAITLIN KOTHE, PT, DPT, MS
Caitlin Kothe is a physical therapist at Washington University Physical Therapy Clinics. She practices comprehensive management of musculoskeletal and orthopedic injuries with special interest in performing artists (figure skating, gymnastics, dancers), female athletes, and adolescent and pediatric hip/low back pain. As a former singles and synchronized figure skater through college at Miami University of Ohio, she has unique insight into the rehabilitation of international level competitors. She also works closely with the Medical Program for Performing Artists who are dedicated to expert care for performing artists with clear understanding of their high level of commitment and complexities of their sport. In addition to her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Washington University in St Louis, she holds a Masters in Health and Exercise Science from Colorado State University. She has a passion for educating and empowering young women with health and fitness knowledge.
JENNIFER MILLER, PT, DPT, CLT, WCS
Jennifer Miller is a doctor of physical therapy specializing in conditions specific to women’s health across the lifespan. Jennifer has been a yoga instructor for 14 years and has enjoyed Crossfit for almost 2 years. Jennifer has a passion for fitness and enjoys working with female athletes to promote healthy, pain-free movement for fun and health.
SARA BAUMGARTNER PT, DPT
Sara received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Washington University in St. Louis’s Program of Physical Therapy. She works as a physical therapist at Mercy Hospital’s Outpatient Therapy Services specializing in the treatment of neurological and vestibular conditions. She serves as the head of Mercy’s Outpatient Therapy Post-Concussion Team and coordinates with the Mercy Sports Medicine team for comprehensive patient care of the post-concussive athlete. Additionally, she remains involved with local universities’ including Washington University in St. Louis and St. Louis University. As the “Dizzy Therapist,” she treats people with a variety of balance and dizziness disorders including athletes with Post Concussion Syndrome.
ANN CROWE PT, DPT
Ann Crowe is a physical therapist at the Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, Program in Physical Therapy, Clinical Practice, she holds a Doctor of Physical Therapy from Washington University, Masters in Systems Engineering from The George Washington University and an undergraduate degree in Aerospace Engineering from The University of Notre Dame. Ann developed her passion for physical activity through nearly two decades of competitive swimming including collegiate swimming and competing in the Olympic Trials. While working in her first career, in the aerospace industry, Ann entered and finished an Ironman triathlon which led her to an understanding that past experience as a swimmer did not translate to injury prevention in running and cycling. After receiving biomechanics based running analysis and skilled care from a physical therapist, Ann discovered her passion for human movement and went on to pursue an entirely new career as a physical therapist, with a focus in rehabilitation of injured runners and endurance athletes. Ann now works as part of the running clinic at Washington University.
Ann lives in St Louis, Missouri with her husband Vance and their adopted racing Greyhound Lady. She enjoys running and cycling for fitness, and is an active competitor with a synchronized swimming team.
DAVID PISKULIC PT, DPT, SCS, ATC
David Piskulic is a Pediatric Sports Physical Therapist with St. Louis Children's Hospital in St. Louis, MO. He is an NATA board certified Athletic Trainer and is also an APTA board certified Sports Clinical Specialist. He has over a decade of experience in both athletic training and physical therapy practices working with young and professional athletes. Previous experience includes serving as an athletic training intern with the Kansas City Chiefs and providing medical care and sports performance training for adolescent, high school, DI, DII and Olympic level athletes. In addition to his work at St. Louis Children's Hospital, David has worked extensively with Seattle Children's Hospital in developing throwing programs for overhead athletes and return to sports protocols to help young athletes return to competitive play. He is an active lab assistant and lecturer with the Washington University Program in Physical Therapy and has established coursework and blog articles with Medbridge Education, an online education platform for health professionals.
JAIMIE BAUERLEIN PT, DPT
Jaimie Bauerlein is a Physical Therapist with St. Louis Children’s Hospital where she works with adolescent sports medicine and pediatric orthopedics. In this role, she works with the St. Louis Children’s Hospital’s Young Athlete Center, a multidisciplinary team comprised of over 40 specialties with multiple clinicians at Washington University and St. Louis Children’s Hospital providing comprehensive care to pediatric and adolescent athletes. As part of the Young Athlete Center, she has worked with physicians to create a concussion management program as well as coordinate research using 3-D motion analysis equipment for the adolescent athlete, with an emphasis on hip and knee biomechanics. She also serves as a lab assistant with the Washington University Program in Physical Therapy.
JOSEPH LENAC
Joseph Lenac is a licensed psychologist specializing in sport and clinical psychology. Using a multi-disciplinary approach combining sport and clinical psychology tools with mindfulness, Joseph underlines psychological factors that affect and improve performance. Over the past 22 years Joseph has enjoyed working with: St. Louis Cardinals Baseball, St. Louis Blues Hockey, and serving as the St. Louis Rams team psychologist for 6 years.
http://www.winningedgesportspsychology.com/
LAUREN MILLS, PT, DPT
Lauren Mills is an Clinic Associate in the PT clinic at Washington University School of Medicine. She recently completed a sports residency at UF Health in Gainesville, Florida. She is currently full time in the clinic treating musculoskeletal pain patients and sports injury patients. Dr. Mills received her clinical Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Washington University. In her spare time, she enjoys working out, playing softball, and learning to play guitar.
MATT HELBIG
Matt Helbig is the founder and co-owner of Big River Running Company, a Running and walking specialty store with three locations in the St. Louis metro. Matt has been fitting shoes for more than 15 years and has an extensive knowledge of footwear design and technology. He has a Master’s Degree in Health and Human Performance from Iowa State University and was also a 2x All-American runner while competing at Truman State University.
GREGORY HOLTZMAN, PT, DPT, SCS
Gregory Holtzman is an Associate Professor of Physical Therapy at Washington University in St Louis. Dr. Holtzman maintains a clinical practice with an emphasis on the evaluation and treatment of lower back and lower extremity pain and injury, specializing in the treatment of both recreational and competitive runners. Dr. Holtzman is also heavily involved in instructing entry level physical therapy students in courses related to outpatient musculoskeletal care and is a member of the clinical education team. Dr. Holtzman enjoys running and spending time with his family.
DR. RACHEL LOEB
Dr. Rachel Loeb graduated from Logan College as a chiropractor in 2010. She grew up dancing in her home town in Maryland, and a dance injury led her to realize her love of how the human body worked. She has worked with many dance companies over the years including Big Muddy Dance Company and Ashleyliane Dance Company. She is published in Dance Teacher Magazine as a dance injury expert and has presented to dancers at Washington University, Lindenwood, Webster, and many local dance companies.
LYNNETTE KHOO-SUMMERS, PT, DPT
Lynnette is an Associate Professor at Washington University Program in Physical Therapy, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. She received a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Dance and Public Relations from Colorado State University. Lynnette danced professionally for two years in Chicago before embarking on her career in physical therapy. She received her Masters and Doctorate degrees in Physical Therapy at Washington University in St. Louis. Her expertise is in the prevention and rehabilitation of all musculoskeletal conditions, especially injured artists as well as performance day coverage. Lynnette is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), the International Association for Dance Medicine and Science (IADMS) and the Performing Arts Medicine Association (PAMA). She is the co-director of the Medical Program for Performing Artists at Washington University along with Dr. Devyani Hunt
SAMANTHA GERINGER, PT, DPT
Sami is a physical therapist at the Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, Program in Physical Therapy, Clinical Practice. She received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Washington University in St. Louis and her Bachelor of Science from Illinois State University, where she also competed as a collegiate gymnast. Growing up in gymnastics has peaked her interest in the complexity of human movement and has fueled her passion for helping athletes of all ages to reach their goals while keeping their bodies healthy. In her free time, Sami enjoys running, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.
LAUREN HUCKSTEP, PT, DPT, CSCS
Lauren is a Physical Therapist at Elite Physical Therapy. She received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Missouri Physical Therapy School. Lauren has an affinity for treating all athletes with her specialty focusing on endurance athletes. She manages the Elite Physical Therapy Endurance and DorsaVi program including community outreach and implementation. Lauren also loves treating soccer players as she played soccer at High Point University during her undergraduate years. Lauren has helped create an injury prevention program designed for soccer players that has been implemented and seen to decrease injuries in a under 19 Scott Gallagher team.
JP THOMPSON, PT, DPT
JP is a Physical Therapist at Elite Physical Therapy and received his Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree from Washington University in St. Louis’s Program of Physical Therapy. He treats patients with musculoskeletal injuries of all ages. JP has a special interest in treating soccer players as he is extremely passionate about the growth of the sport with youth soccer in the St. Louis area. JP has been a soccer coach in his free time for Scott Gallagher Soccer Club since he ended his career playing at Westminster College in Fulton, MO. JP has helped design an injury prevention warm up for soccer players that has been implemented with his under 19 Scott Gallagher and seen a significant decrease in soft tissue injuries
MAGGIE BAUMAN, PT, DPT
Maggie graduated in 2010 from St. Louis University. She spent her first four years of practice specifically treating pediatric and adolescent orthopedic injuries through the largest children's hospital in Virginia. She has focused much of her continuing education on hip, knee, ankle, and shoulder pathologies, ACL rehab and prevention, the female athlete, and running injuries.
MICHELLE WYNNE, PT, DPT
Michelle graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with her Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2014. Michelle has experience working with a variety of patients from pediatric to geriatric with orthopedic and neurological diagnoses.
JOEL DOUGHERTY, PT, DPT, CSMT
Joel is a physical therapist and center manager for SSM Health Physical Therapy in St. Peters Missouri where he has been practicing for the past 4 years. Joel has been at SSM Health Physical Therapy for over 7 years, starting there after graduating from Maryville University with his Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2011. Joel is Certified in Spine Manual Therapy from the International Spine and Pain Institute. He treats all orthopedic conditions but has an interest in persistent pain and concussion/vestibular therapy. Along with working with SSM Health Physical Therapy, Joel is also an active member of the MPTA and is Chairman of the Eastern District of the MPTA. Outside of work Joel is a Saint Louis sports fan and enjoys exercise and spending time with friends.
TYLER FORBES, PT, DPT, OCS
Tyler is a Physical Therapist and Center Manager for SSM Health Physical Therapy’s Manchester/D1 clinic. Tyler earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science from Maryville University (St. Louis, MO) in 2009 and went on to earn his Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2011 also from Maryville University. After treating and working for SSM Health Physical Therapy, Tyler became a Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist from the ABPTS. Outside of SSM Health Physical Therapy he teaches as an Adjunct Professor at Maryville University in their Physical Therapy Program.
JENNIFER MCDANIEL, MS, RDN, CSSD, LD
Jennifer is founder and owner of Saint Louis based private practice, McDaniel Nutrition Therapy, a nutrition consulting company that specializes in weight management, sports nutrition, and corporate wellness. She is a nationally recognized nutrition expert and media spokesperson and has contributed nutrition and health information for outlets such as the New York Times, U.S. News and World Report and the Huffington Post. She served a 6-year term as a Media Spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and is co-author of the Mediterranean Table Cookbook.
Voted Dietitian of the Year in 2015 by the Missouri Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and St. Louis Magazine’s top St. Louis nutritionist, she is a local television and radio guest and develops wellness programs for her Saint Louis community. In her role as a sports dietitian, she currently consults for Carmichael Training Systems, an international endurance sports consulting company, developed by the elite Olympic cyclist, Chris Carmichael.
She was the former undergraduate director and instructor in the department of Nutrition and Dietetics at Saint Louis University from 2006-2011. Jennifer earned her B.S. degrees in Nutrition & Dietetics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and her M.S. in Nutrition and Physical Performance from Saint Louis University graduating summa cum laude from both Universities. She is a wife and mom to three young boys who inspire her daily to feed a family that doesn’t just survive but thrives.
AIMEE SMITH, PT, DPT
Aimee Smith PT, DPT is a St. Louis native and physical therapist at Washington University Physical Therapy. She graduated with a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Washington University in 2019. Prior to physical therapy, Aimee taught 9th grade biology in Harlingen, TX, where her love of education began. In addition to physical therapy, Aimee is a group exercise instructor at various gyms throughout the STL area. Her passion lies in encouraging movement and activity in all phases of life.