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    Rehabilitation

    RehabBrochureThe Rehabilitation Department at Black River Memorial Hospital provides exceptional physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech language pathology services.  By providing these services right here in Black River Falls, many patients are able to stay close to home instead of travelling for this care. 

    Services are available Monday through Friday and on weekends as needed.  

    To learn more about our services and our staff, please click on the tabs below, or call us at (715) 284-1330.

    Health History Questionnaire Intake Form

    ImPACT Permission Slip

    Senior Stay Fit Classes Registration Form



  • Physical Therapy

    Physical therapists and physical therapist assistants provide education and treatment to patients who have temporary or permanent disability. Treatment methods may include ultrasound, electrical stimulation, manual therapy, exercise, orthotics, and injury prevention principles. Educational backgrounds of our clinicians include: orthopedics, sports medicine, neurological rehabilitation, industrial rehabilitation, geriatrics, pediatrics, wound care, and vestibular rehabilitation. Our staff of highly qualified rehabilitation specialists offers a full range of therapies for muscle, soft tissue, bone and joint injuries, post surgical recovery and more. Inpatient, outpatient, and contracted services to local agencies are available. 

    Occupational Therapy 

    Occupational therapists (OTs) work with people of all ages and backgrounds who have had an illness, injury, or disability that makes them unable to do what they want or need to do in everyday activities at home, work, or play. OTs assist patients to improve strength, endurance, positioning, range of motion, and coordination, reduce edema and pain, and help them participate in meaningful activities. Education is a key role of an occupational therapist to enable patients to continue their home exercise program and modified ways of performing tasks. OTs use adaptive equipment and modify environments to help increase independence and safety. Inpatient, outpatient, home health and contracted services to local agencies are available.  

    Speech Language Pathology 

    Communication problems are caused by a variety of diseases, disorders, and illnesses. Resulting problems may include speech that is difficult to understand, and defects in voice quality, difficulty with word finding or sentence formation, and swallowing disorders. Our speech and language pathologists provide evaluation, diagnosis, and counseling services to aid in developing an individualized plan of treatment for both inpatients and outpatients. 


    Physical Therapy

    Rob Bean    
    Rob Bean, PT
    Physical Therapist
    Education: BS in Physical Therapy, UW-La Crosse
    Specialized Training: Wheelchair seating and positioning
    Areas of Interest: Geriatric rehab and acute care

     

    Kathy  Eggebakken    
    Kathy Eggebakken, PT
    Physical Therapist
    Education: BS in Physical Therapy, UW-La Crosse BS in Physical Therapy; Currently attending St. Scholastica in Duluth, MN for DPT degree
    Specialized Training: Women's health and homecare
    Areas of Interest: Homecare, geriatrics and women's health


    Todd Intihar
       
    Todd Intihar, MSPT
    Physical Therapist
    Education: BA in Exercise Science, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN; Master's Degree in Physical Therapy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.
    Specialized Training: Sports Medicine, Vestibular Rehabilitation, Spine Rehabilitation, Emergency Responder Certification
    Areas of Interest: Sports Medicine, Spine Rehabilitation, Vestibular rehabilitation, general outpatient rehabilitation and musculoskeletal injury


    Bill Larken
       
    Bill Larkin, MSPT
    Physical Therapist
    Education: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology/Biology from Luther College, Masters of Science in Physical Therapy, UW-La Crosse
    Specialized Training: Emergency Responder Certification
    Areas of Interest: Outpatient orthopedics with emphasis on sports and spine rehab


    Katie Larken    
    Katie Larkin, MSPT
    Physical Therapist
    Education: Bachleor of Arts, College of St. Benedict, St. Joseph, MN, Masters in Physical Therapy, UW-LaCrosse
    Specialized Training: Sports Medicine Emergency Responder Certified, APTA Credentialed Clinical Instructor, Vestibular Rehabilitation, Orthopedic Manual Therapy, and Women's Health and Wellness
    Areas of Interest: Outpatient orthopedics, sports medicine, vestibular rehab, and women's health and wellness


    Carmen 
Liebelt    
    Carmen Liebelt, DPT, WCC
    Physical Therapist
    Education: Master of Physical Therapy degree Carroll College Waukesha, WI. Doctor of Physical Therapy degree Regis University Denver, CO
    Specialized Training: Ergoscience Functional Capacity Certified Evaluator, Wound Care Certified, Sports Medicine Emergency Responder Certified, APTA Credentialed Clinical Instructor, APTA Advanced Credentialed Clinical Instructor
    Areas of Interest: Wound care, orthopedics, sports medicine team member

     

    Jim Szymanski

       
    Jim Szymanski, PT, LAT
    Physical Therapist
    Education: BS in Athletic Training, UW-La Crosse; BS in Physical Therapy, UW-La Crosse
    Specialized Training: Licensed Athletic Trainer
    Areas of Interest: Sports medicine, orthopedics, back pain

     

    Barb Carter      Barb Carter, PTA, CEAS II
    Physical Therapist Assistant
    Education: Associate Degree in Applied Science-Physical Therapist Assistant, Western Technical College-La Crosse, Wisconsin.
    Specialized Training: Certified Ergonomic Assessment Specialist II, Recognition of Advanced Proficiency for the Physical Therapist Assistant in Musculoskeletal Therapy
    Areas of Interest: Outpatient, Inpatient, and Occupational Health

     

    Kathy J. Peterson
       
    Kathy J. Peterson, PTA, CMT
    Physical Therapist Assistant
    Education: Western Wisconsin Technical College (PTA), Minnesota State College, SE Tech (CMT)
    Specialized Training: Physical Therapist Assistant, Certified Massage Therapist
    Areas of Interest: Homecare, hospice, women's health

     


    Becky 
Windsor
       
    Becky Windsor, PTA
    Physical Therapist Assistant
    Education: Western Technical College, La Crosse
    Specialized Training: Fitness certifications received through American Council on Exercise, Infant Massage certification acquired through International Association of Infant Massage
    Areas of Interest: Inpatient, outpatient, pediatrics, women's health, hospice, homecare, schools


    Occupational Therapy

    Stacy 
Armitage    
    Stacy Armitage, OTR
    Occupational Therapist
    Education: Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy, UW-Milwaukee
    Specialized Training: Sure Step Fall Prevention Program
    Areas of Interest: Home health, inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, fall prevention and wellnes


    Heather 
Comstock
       
    Heather Comstock, MS, OTR/L
    Occupational Therapist
    Education: BS in Psychology, UW-Eau Claire; MS in Occupational Therapy, Colorado State University
    Specialized Training: Certified Lymphedema Therapist, Neuro-Developmental Treatment (NDT), Certified Ergoscience Functional Capacity Evaluator, hand therapy
    Areas of Interest: Hand therapy, lymphedema treatment, work-related injuries/assessments, neurological conditions


    Heather 
Rogers
       
    Heather Rogers, MSOTR
    Occupational Therapist
    Education: Bachelors degree in Speech Language Pathology/Audiology at Northern Illinois University; Masters degree in Occupational Therapy at Washington University in St. Louis
    Specialized Training: Certified Lymphedema Specialist
    Areas of Interest: Brain injury, spinal cord injury and lymphedema management

     

    Nicole 
Schweitzer    
    Nicole Schweitzer, OTR
    Occupational Therapist and Manager
    Specialty: Occupational Therapist and Rehab Services Manager
    Education: Bachelor of Science, UW-Madison
    Specialized Training: Certified Lymphedema Therapist, Certified Ergoscience Functional Capacity Evaluator; Hand Therapy
    Areas of Interest: Health care management, outpatient, hand therapy, occupational health, community wellness, grant writing & administration


    Speech Therapy

    Pam Listle    
    Pam Listle, MS CCL-SLP
    Speech Terapist
    Education: Masters degree in Speech Language Pathology, UW-Milwaukee Marquette
    Specialized Training: Intensive ongoing training in the areas of dysphagia, cognition, and speech and language development
    Areas of Interest: Outpatient, home care/ hospice, birth to three program, augmentative communication, neurological deficits affecting speech and cognition, and swallowing/cognitive issues with the geriatric population.