Lindsey Crook, PT, DPT
Lindsey Crook is a native of Shelby, NE, graduating from Shelby High School. She received her Associated of Science Degree from Central Community College, graduating with honors. In 2010, Lindsey graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. She received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy Degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 2013. Lindsey has practiced in a variety of settings including inpatient, outpatient, skilled nursing facility and home health. She holds certifications in orthotic fitting and kinesiology taping.
Katie Daro, MOT,OTR/L
Katie Daro is a native of David City, graduating from Aquinas High School. She received her Bachelors of Rehabilitative Studies from College of Saint Mary in 2015. She graduated with her Masters of Occupational Therapy in 2016, also from College of Saint Mary. Her clinical experience includes acute hospital care, inpatient rehabilitation, pediatrics, and aquatic therapy. She’s worked in a variety of locations including western Nebraska and Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula.
Natale Dunn, PT, DPT
Natalie is a native of Valentine, Ne and graduated from Valentine High School in 2007. She received her Bachelors of Science from Chadron State College, graduating in 2011. She graduated with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from UNMC in 2013. Natalie has practiced in a variety of settings in Kearney, Fremont and Omaha, including inpatient hospital, acute rehab, skilled nursing, outpatient and aquatics, with special interest in orthopedic conditions, Parkinson disease and neurological rehab. She has training in Graston technique and is certified in LSVT-BIG for Parkinson rehab.
Laini Eddy, M.S., CCC-SLP
Laini Eddy is a native of Burwell, Nebraska, graduating in 2014. In 2018, she received her Bachelor’s of Science in Communication Disorders. In 2020, she graduated with her Master’s of Science in Speech-Language Pathology. Her undergraduate and graduate research experience has a focus on sustained silent reading and speech and gesture differences in individuals based on levels of task difficulty. Laini’s post-graduate research experience involves working as a research assistant in a project focusing on personality, temperament, and sociability in individuals impacted by the Covid-19 Pandemic. Laini has experience working with the geriatric and adult population focusing on speech, language, voice, dysphagia, and cognitive-linguistic communication skills in addition to working with children at a pediatric setting.
Kyle Eller, PT, DPT
Kyle Eller is a native of David City, NE, graduating from Aquinas High School. He received his bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Nebraska Wesleyan University in 2010. In 2013, he received his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from UNMC where he was awarded The Student Professionalism Award. Kyle has practiced in a wide range of areas including inpatient, outpatient and school settings. He has a particular interest in post-operative rehabilitation and sports medicine, as well as treating other orthopedic conditions. He holds membership with the American Physical Therapy Association and is a Certified Specialist in Soft Tissue Manual Tool (STSM) and Functional Dry Needling.
KRISTINE POLACEK, PT, DPT
Kristine Polacek is a native of David City, NE, graduating from Aquinas High School. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nutrition, Exercise, and Health Science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2015. In 2018, she received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy Degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Kristine’s clinical experience includes outpatient pediatrics, outpatient orthopedics, and acute rehabilitation. She has a particular interest in working with children with a variety of developmental disabilities and musculoskeletal issues, as well as treating all patient populations with orthopedic condition.
melissa truksa, pt, dpt
Melissa Truksa is a native of Yutan, NE, graduating from Yutan High School. She attended Doane College for her undergraduate degree for physical education with an emphasis in athletic training. She attended the University of Nebraska Medical Center, where she received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2007. Her career began in an outpatient setting, where she was exposed to patients with complicated chronic lower back pain and SI joint Dysfunction. Melissa joined BCHCC in August of 2021 and specializes in Postural Restoration. She has a passion for assessing and treating postural compensation patterns and a particular interest in working with lower back pain, neck pain, TMJ and SI joint dysfunction.
jennifer westemeyer, ma, cCC-SLP
Jennifer Westemeyer is a native of Ankeny, Iowa, graduating from Ankeny High School. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Communicative Sciences and Disorders in 2017. In 2019, Jennifer received her Masters of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology. Jennifer's graduate research included creation of the NameThat! emotions therapy tool for person's with Right Hemisphere brain damage. Jennifer has field work experience from Mercy One, Des Moines with inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, as well as pediatric outpatient setting at Tripler Army Medical Center.
Andy Valenti, PTA
Andy Valenti is a native of Brainard, NE, graduating from East Butler High School in 2004. He began his journey studying Exercise Science at the University of Nebraska in Omaha before his acceptance into Clarkson College. In 2013, he graduated Magna Cum Laude from Clarkson College earning his Associate of Science, Physical Therapist Assistant degree. Andy practiced as a PTA in the skilled nursing care setting for 4 years in Omaha before starting his career at BCHCC in January of 2018. He has special interest in Parkinson’s disease, post-operative rehabilitation, geriatric care, temporomandibular disorder, and other orthopedic conditions. Andy holds certification in the Parkinson’s Wellness and Recovery program, and is a PWR! Gym Therapist.
Staci Worm, MOT, OTR/L
Staci Worm is a native of David City, NE, graduating from David City High School. She received her Bachelors of Rehabilitative Studies in 2014. In 2015, Staci received her Masters in Occupational Therapy from the College of Saint Mary. Staci has field work experience from Columbus Community Hospital Wiggles and Giggles, outpatient pediatrics and Nebraska Methodist Hospital on the inpatient rehab floor. Staci is trained in Handwriting Without Tears (HWT) and Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Feeding. She has also received specialized training in Sensory Integration, Sensory Modulation, Pediatric Vision Rehabilitation Pediatric Development, Therapeutic Listening and Astronaut Training.
Hannah Wurl, OTD, OTR/L
Hannah Wurl is a native of Brainard, NE, graduating from East Butler High School. She received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Doane College. In 2013, Hannah received her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Creighton University. Hannah’s clinical experience includes skilled nursing management and patient care, program development for dementia care, neurorehabilitation, Parkinons’ disease movement training and lymphedema therapy. Hannah holds certification in the Parkinson’s disease wellness and recovery programs titled LSVT BIG and PWR! Gym Therapist and is a certified Lymphedema Therapist s.