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Physicial Therapy Assistants

Occupational and Hand Therapy

All offices of Carolina
Orthopaedic Specialists

• COS - Business Office
2940 Hwy. 127 South
Hickory NC, 28602
Ph: 828-294-7793

• Hickory Office
2165 Medical Park Drive
Hickory, NC 28602
Ph: 828-324-2800

• Lenoir Office
1041 Morganton Blvd.,
Suite 200
Lenoir, NC 28645
Ph: 828-758-7091

• Morganton Office
503 East Parker Rd.
Morganton NC, 28655
Ph: 828-437-6500

• Newton Office
829 West 25th St.
Newton NC, 28658
Ph: 828-464-3771

• Taylorsville Office
50 Macedonia Church Rd.
Taylorsville, NC 28681
Ph: 828-635-8430

• Valdese Office
841 Malcom Blvd.
Rutherford College,
Valdese, NC 28671
Ph: 828-874-3379

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PHYSICIAL THERAPISTS

OFFICES:
• Hickory

Eddie Smith, MPT, ATC-L

Eddie Smith has worked for Carolina Orthopaedic Specialists since 2002 as licensed physical therapist. Currently the lead therapist in Mt.View clinic, he holds a Masters degree in Physical Therapy from Western Carolina University 1999 and a Bachelor’s degree from Lenoir-Rhyne College in Sports Medicine/Athletic Training 1996. He holds national certifications as athletic trainer and certified clinical instructor of physical therapy. He serves as a clinical instructor for sports medicine/athletic training program at Lenoir-Rhyne College. He is an active member of American Physical Therapy Association, National Athletic Trainers Association, NC Board of Physical Therapists, NC Board of Athletic Trainer Examiners and National Strength and Conditioning Association. His interests include rehabilitation of orthopedic and sports related injuries as well as clinical education of both athletic training and physical therapy students.

OFFICES:
• Taylorsville

Jack DeRienzis, PT

John “Jack” DeRienzis is a licensed Physical Therapist with 10 years experience in outpatient, inpatient and home health settings. Graduating from the University of TX Southwest Medical Center in 1997, Jack practiced for 2 years in TX before relocating to western NC. He joined the outpatient Physical Therapy team at COS in July of 2003. He is currently working out of the COS Taylorsville outpatient clinic. His caseload is primarily orthopedic but he routinely works with the neurologically impaired client. Areas of special interest include sports medicine and spine rehab.

Jack is a Hickory, NC resident with his wife, Heidi, and three children Sophie 10, Joey 7 and Tommy 5. They enjoy camping, fishing and sports.

OFFICES:
• Morganton

Kevin Holland, PT

Kevin has been with Carolina Orthopedic Specialists as director of our Morganton, NC therapy clinic since 2004. He graduated from East Carolina University with a B.S. in Physical Therapy in 1993. He went on from there to work in outpatient clinics in Roanoke Rapids, Wilmington, and then to Morganton NC. Kevin’s concentration for the past 14 years has been in outpatient orthopedic treatment which has also included industrial rehabilitation, job site analysis, formatting of pre-employment/post offer screens and functional capacity evaluations. Kevin is trained in McKenzie for the spine, and is certified by Ergoscience to perform functional capacity evaluations. Kevin’s post- graduate education has primarily focused in the treatment of the knee, shoulder and spine, though he treats a varied caseload daily of orthopedic injuries in all age groups.

OFFICES:
• Lenoir
• Valdese

Jon Huffman, PT

Jon has been a lifelong resident of the foothills area of North Carolina. He attended University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill where he graduated from the Physical Therapy program in 1986. Jon’s physical therapy experience includes outpatient and home health care with a special interest in orthopedic and sports rehabilitation. He is a member of the North Carolina and American Physical Therapy Associations.
Jon provides volunteer services to local schools and recreational programs. His professional goal is to provide quality rehabilitation services in a personable manner, guiding return to optimal function in work and recreation.

OFFICES:
• Hickory

Maureen McCarthy, PT

Maureen McCarthy is a licensed Physical Therapist and has been with Carolina Orthopaedics since 2005. She is originally from New York State, where she completed her education and training. She first attended the State University of NY at Oneonta and graduated cum laude with a BA in Biology and Chemistry in 1997. She then transferred to the University of NY at Buffalo, and received a BS degree (summa cum laude) in Physical Therapy. Her first couple years in practice were in central NY, in management of a long-term care rehab department, with clinical experiences in outpatient orthopaedics as well. In 2002 she moved to Greensboro, NC and focused on geriatric orthopaedics, including treatment of patients with arthritis, spinal pain, balance/falls and total joint surgeries. Since joining our Hickory office in the fall of 2005, she continues to build her education in treatment of all orthopaedic areas, but with specific interests in treatment of the neck and back.

OFFICES:
• Morganton
• Valdese

Anna Russ, PT

Anna Russ joined the Carolina Orthopaedic team as a licensed Physical Therapist in 2007, dividing her time between the Morganton and Valdese clinics. She has her Master’s of Physical Therapy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2006. She received her Bachelor of Science in Biology with distinction from University of North Carolina at Asheville in 2004 where she was a collegiate track athlete and student athletic trainer. As a therapist, she spent a year in Asheville with a focus on aquatic physical therapy prior to relocating to Morganton. She is an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association. She and her husband, T.R., enjoy camping and hiking with their beagle, Shey.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS

OFFICES:
• Hickory
• Lenoir

Jim Dischiavi, OTR/L, CHT

Jim Dischiavi is the Director of Occupational Hand Therapy at Carolina Orthopaedics Specialists. He is a licensed Occupational Therapist and has a national certifications as a specialist in the treatment of upper extremity injuries (CHT) and neurodeveolpmental disorders (NDT). His educational background includes a bachelor’s of science degree in Occupational Therapy from Utica College of Syracuse University in 1992. Jim has worked in the Hickory community for the past 12 years including 10 years at Frye Regional Medical Center as the Director of Hand Therapy and has been with Carolina Orthopaedics for the past 3 years. Jim currently splits his time between the Hickory and Lenoir offices working closely with the physicians to ensure the best possible continuum of care. He currently is an active member of The American Occupational Therapy Association and the American Society of Hand Therapists.

OFFICES:
• Hickory
• Morganton

Stacy Rumfelt, OTR/L, OTD, CHT, CLT

Stacy McClain Rumfelt, OTR/L, OTD, CHT, CLT has been practicing occupational therapy for 14 years. She received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1990, her Master’s degree from the University of Southern California in 1993 and her Doctorate from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions in 2004. She is nationally certified in hand therapy and lymphedema management. She has extensive experience treating hand and upper extremity traumas, orthopedic and overuse injuries. During treatments, Stacy emphasizes that her patients share responsibility for their rehab by completing individualized home exercise programs and functional activities every day. In addition, she believes in treating the whole person, combining social, psychological and physical components in her plan of care. Stacy uses activity analysis, joint and soft tissue techniques as well as splinting, work and ADL simulation as part of her total treatment plan.

PHYSICIAL THERAPY ASSISTANTS

OFFICES:
• Hickory

Andrea Dancy, PTA

Andrea Dancy is a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant. She has been employed by Carolina Orthopaedics since 2005. She has only been out of school for about four years. Her educational background includes an Associate Degree in Applied Science. She graduated from Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute in 2003. After graduation her first job was in Gastonia, NC at Carmont Rehab and Sports Medicine. She worked in Gastonia for about a year and then returned back to Hickory to work for Carolina Orthopaedics. Andrea loves to work with people and enjoys helping and seeing them get better.

OFFICES:
• Hickory

Karla Bolch, PTA

Karla Bolch is a PTA and has been working with COS since 2004. She received her BS degree from NCSU in Zoology in 1987and an associates degree from Caldwell Community College in 1992. She had worked as a PT tech in a local outpatient clinic while going to school, and continued working there as a PTA once graduated. Further work has included teaching lab settings at CCC&TI, and student clinical placement for 7 years. Since then she has worked in nursing home and home health settings.

Teresa Gamewell, PTA
OFFICES:
• Morganton

Teresa Gamewell, PTA

Teresa Gamewell is a Physical Therapist Assistant in our Morganton therapy clinic since October 2004. She graduated from the University of Illinois with a B.S. in Kinesiology in 1993. She went on to work at Christi Clinic in the P.T. department in Champaign, IL. for two years before returning to the University of Indianapolis. At the University of Indianapolis she graduated from the P.T.A. program in December 1996. Teresa has experience in orthopaedics, long and short term rehabilitation, and water therapy. Teresa’s post graduate education has focused on water therapy, shoulder, knee, ankle, and McKenzie for the spine.

OFFICES:
• Morganton

Wesley Hudson, PTA

Wesley Hudson joined Carolina Orthopaedic Specialists in 2007 as a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant. He currently treats patients in our Morganton and Valdese physical therapy departments. Wesley graduated from Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute in May of 2006 with an Associate of Applied Science degree. He has also been certified as a C.N.A., E.M.T., Med Tech, and graduated from WesternPiedmont Community College from the Basic Law Enforcement Training program in 2002. After earning his degree as a PTA, Wesley took a position with UNC Healthcare in Chapel Hill North Carolina. While working with a multitude of diverse patients and various diagnoses, his passion for physical therapy grew. His concentration on orthopedics, stroke, and spinal cord injuries was his main focus while at UNC Healthcare. Although he enjoyed his experience with UNC Healthcare immensely, Wesley decided that it was time for him to return to his roots, the beautiful foothills of North Carolina. With orthopedics as one of his primary focuses, Carolina Orthopaedic Specialists provides a nurturing environment where Wesley can allow his training and talents to thrive. Wesley enjoys working with people of all ages and seeing the benefits of physical therapy work in their lives. Wesley believes that the most rewarding aspect of his profession is being able to help patients through some of their most difficult times and assisting them in meeting their goals.

OFFICES:
• Lenoir

Jeff Wilson, PTA

Jeff Wilson is a Physical Therapist Assistant in our Lenoir office and has been with COS since July 2005. He graduated in May 2006 from the PTA program at Caldwell Community College. He also holds a Masters degree in Exercise Physiology from East Carolina University 1996 and a Bachelor's degree from Appalachian State University in Sports Medicine/Athletic Training 1993. He serves as Head Athletic Trainer at West Caldwell High School. Jeff holds national certification as an athletic trainer and state licensure as both a physical therapy assistant and an athletic trainer. He is a member of both NATA and NCATA. Prior to COS, he served as Director of Sports Medicine at Caldwell Memorial Hospital in Lenoir from Jan 1998 to June 2005. He has also worked as athletic trainer/rehab tech at Mission/St Joseph's Health System in Asheville and at Lenoir Physical Therapy & Sports Injury Rehab in Whitnel. His experience includes sports injuries, orthopaedics, aquatic therapy, work conditioning, cardiac rehab, and corporate fitness.

Donna Warren, PTA
OFFICES:
• Lenoir

Donna Warren, PTA

Donna Warren is a licensed Physical Therapists Assistant in our Lenoir office. She came to Carolina Orthopedic Specialists in December of 2004. She received her associate of applied science at Caldwell Community College in 1993. Her first job was in an outpatient orthopedic/sports medicine clinic where she worked for 3 years. She then chose to broaden her experience and began working at a skilled nursing facility for 3 ½ years. She then began working for a local home health agency where she worked with a variety of patients including neurologic and orthopedic patients. Before coming to Carolina Orthopedics she spent three years working for a private Physical Therapist seeing pediatric patients in their homes and daycares in Caldwell County, and in a developmental day school in Wilkesboro. Donna enjoys working with people and helping them to get better.