Clinic Staff
Mark Smith, PT Clinic Owner
Mark, the clinic owner, is a graduate of the University of Minnesota; School of Physical Therapy. He also attended St. John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota where he majored in Natural Science-Biology with a minor in Athletic Training. Mark specializes in the areas of Sports Medicine, Industrial Rehab, Orthopedics, and Vestibular Rehabilitation (inner ear).
Throughout his career, he has focused on the development of sports medicine, industrial medicine, and vestibular rehabilitation programs. Mark performs on-site rehabilitation and ergonomic assessments at area businesses as well as works closely with area schools with sports medicine and game coverage.
Mark is passionate about applying his experience and education to help people recover from accident or injury. His goal is to assist his patients in achieving their rehab goals and return to their previous level of daily activity. Committed to providing the best possible treatment and care, Mark works closely with referring physicians to address the individual needs of his patients.
Emily Monson, MPT
Emily, clinic director at Turtle Lake, received her Master's degree from the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse Physical Therapy program in 2000. She also attended the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Emily has experience in Sports Medicine, Industrial Rehabilitation, Orthopedics, and TMJ Dysfunction and has attended courses for the spine, foot and ankle, and training for Functional Capacity Evaluations. She recently completed residency program for TMJ dysfunctions.
Emily is dedicated to helping each individual patient to achieve his or her rehabilitation goals. She applies her experience and education to assist her patients return to their highest level of function following an accident or injury.
Amy Greenfield, MPT
Amy, clinic director at Spooner, received her Master's degree in Physical Therapy from the College of St. Catherine in 2002. She also attended the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse where she received a Bachelor of Science and Certification in Athletic Training.
Amy has experience in Sports Medicine, Orthopedics, and Industrial Rehabilitation and has attended courses on Osteopathic Spinal Mobilization and Core Stabilization. She has also received training for performing Functional Capacity Evaluations.
Amy is committed to working very closely with referring physicians to provide the highest quality of care to her patients. Her passion is to assist them with achieving their rehab goals, as well as return to their previous level of function. She is dedicated to educating her patients, not only on the treatment of their current condition, but also the prevention of future injuries.
Sharon Gjerde, PT
Sharon received her Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Health Related Sciences - The Chicago Medical School. She is also a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, majoring in Physical Education and Health with a minor in coaching.
Sharon has 20 years experience in the field of Physical Therapy and has worked in both inpatient and outpatient environments including: hospital, home health care and nursing homes.
She enjoys working with the orthopedia, geriatric and sports medicine populations. Sharon has developed and led community senior exercise programs, presented on wellness, osteoporosis and strength training. She volunteers in her community and has offered free balance and fitness assessments along with being involved with Rice Lake youth athletics.
Kay Dorwin, PTA
Kay Dorwin recently joined Turtle Lake Physical Therapy and Rehab Specialists in February 2007. She graduated from St. Mary's Jr. College (now College of St. Catherine's) in Minneapolis, MN, with an Associates degree in Physical Therapy in 1983. She has worked for the Wilder Foundation in St. Paul, and for the past 20 years had worked at the Baldwin Hospital in Baldwin Wisconsin.
As a Physical Therapist Assistant, she has experience working in many different areas including inpatient, outpatients with acute and chronic injuries including orthopedics, sports injuries, spine, wound care, fibromyalgia and aquatic therapy. She has special interest in total joint replacements, sports and work related injuries. She believes strongly in importance of patient education and has experience in conducting pre-natal exercise classes, and pre-operative orthopedic instruction.
Mavis Melton, MPT
Mavis received her Masters degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Iowa in 1999. She also attended Concordia College in Moorhead, MN where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology.
With the past experience in a hospital based outpatient clinic, which also provided services to homecare, nursing home, and inpatient clientele, Mavis enjoys evaluating and treating a variety of patients including those with orthopedic and neurological conditions. Mavis has attended several manual therapy and neuromuscular control courses, and also has interests in the areas of geriatrics and fall prevention.
Mavis values providing quality care and developing patient rapport, as well as effectively determining the source of impairment and dysfunction to effectively work towards the goal of improved quality of life for each patient.
Dirc Cooley, DPT
Dirc received his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Concordia University Wisconsin in Mequon in 2006. He also earned his Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science-Athletic Training from Winona State university in 1996.
During an 11-year history in sports medicine and orthopedics, he has developed summer strength, agility and conditioning programs for high school and collegiate level athletics. He has attended several continuing education courses on athletic performance and injury prevention strategies and had initiated a throwing injury prevention program for young throwing athletes in the 7-18 year age group.
Dirc works hard to make sure his clients enjoy their physical therapy experiences and strives to keep them motivated to reach their goals. He educates his clients on their diagnoses and surgical procedures and fosters a relationship where the client is involved in the therapy decision-making process.
Karen Cooley, MS, PT
Karen received her Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science/Sports Medicine at Winona State University in 1997. She went on to earn her Master of Science Degree in Physical Therapy from University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in 1999. Karen is also a Certified Athletic Trainer. Karen has enjoyed working as an out-patient orthopedic physical therapist, athletic trainer, and administrator in Two Rivers, Wisconsin before moving to the Rice Lake Area. Karen has a special interest in and has attended continuing education classes to further develop her orthopedic, manual therapy, occupational health, and women's health skills.