Staff Spotlight: Jennifer Hemond
Staff Spotlight:
Jennifer Hemond, MPT
Jennifer has been employed as a Physical Therapist at our clinic since June, 2007. She graduated from Lyndon State College in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in Health Science and from the University of Vermont in 2007 with a Master’s in Physical Therapy (MPT).
Jennifer continues to further her education and develop her skills through orthopedic evaluation and manual therapy courses.
She promotes utilization of aquatic therapy and oversees the aquatic program offered by Dan Wyand, PT & Associates.
Jennifer takes great pride in her family, and enjoys caring for her home, spending time with friends, running and staying active.
Staff Spotlight: Mike Matteis
Staff Spotlight: Mike Matteis
Mike is the familiar face in our Lyndonville clinic, doubling as clinic manager as well as physical therapist.
Mike received his Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2012 from the University of St. Augustine with a concentration in Manual Therapy. Mike’s 10+ years of experience have been concentrated on outpatient orthopedics, specializing in manual therapy and sports medicine. Mike loves his profession because he gets such satisfaction from assisting his patients in achieving their greatest rehab potential.
Mike is originally from the Northeast Kingdom and is proud to call it his home. His interests include spending time with his family, golf, ice hockey and outdoor activities.
He spends much of his free time coaching youth ice hockey and baseball in the community. He serves as a board member for the Lyndon Area Sports Association and the Lyndon Institute Alumni Association.
Staff Spotlight: Sara Stinson
Sara Stinson, PT, DPT
Sara graduated from the University of Vermont in 2004 with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and from Franklin Pierce University in 2009 with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT).
She has been employed with us since 2009 and has completed several advanced courses in management of vestibular and neurological disorders, and is LSVT Big Certified.
Sara lives in Danville with her husband and their two children. She enjoys running, hiking and volunteering as Girl Scout troop leader.
Staff Spotlight: Tiffany Benoit
Tiffany OTR/L, is an Occupational Therapist at Dan Wyand, PT & Associates. She joined the team in the spring of 2013 as a Physical Therapy Aide assisting clients with their workouts in the gym. She graduated from Lyndon State College in 2103 with a BS in Exercise Science with a concentration in pre-professional Physical Therapy.
Tiffany completed the Masters in Occupational Therapy Program at Utica College and now provides inpatient Occupational Therapy for patients at NVRH, and outpatient Occupational Therapy for Dan Wyand, PT & Associates.
Tiffany enjoys staying active and spending time with her family. Specifically she enjoys running and has competed in marathons all over the world.
Staff Spotlight: Susan Pray-Glodgett
Staff Spotlight: Susan Pray-Glodgett
Susan has been employed with Dan Wyand, PT & Associates since receiving her Associate’s Degree in Applied Science from New Hampshire Vocational Technical College in May of 1989.
In 2005 she was certified in Cranial Sacral Therapy Techniques through the Upledger Institute, Inc. Susan also completed massage therapy training at the Wellness Massage Center and Institute in St. Albans, VT becoming a certified massage therapist in December 2013.
She is also certified through the Nurturing the Mother program as a pregnancy massage therapist in 2019. Her love for the geriatric population and interest in women’s wellness issues are driving forces for her ongoing continued education.
A native of northeastern Vermont, Susan enjoys spending time with family, gardening and enjoying nature.
Staff Spotlight: Kristin Franson
Kristin works as the Practice Manager at Dan Wyand, PT & Associates. She grew up in the Northeast Kingdom and after spending several years living out of state, returned to this beautiful area to raise her two daughters.
Kristin holds a degree in Business Management and a Certificate in Human Resource Management, both from Champlain College. She has been with DWPT for 13 years.
Kristin is an avid Celtics fan and in her free time she enjoys watching their games, attending her daughters’ sporting events, or traveling with her husband and two daughters.
Staff Spotlight: Erin Galarza
Erin Galarza, PT, DPT, OCS
Erin graduated with a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Pacific University in 2013. She has over seven years’ experience as an outpatient orthopedic physical therapist treating general orthopedic conditions, aquatic therapy, and pelvic health.
As a pelvic health physical therapist, she treats bowel, bladder, and pelvic pain conditions in both male and female clients, as well as female pelvic organ prolapse.
In 2018 she became a Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopedics. She has been practicing as a physical therapist in Washington State prior to her move to Vermont in 2020.
Erin enjoys traveling and taking in the outdoors.
Staff Spotlight: Neil Abella
Staff Spotlight: Neil Abella
Neil Abella is our newest Physical Therapy Assistant and is based out of the St. Johnsbury clinic. Neil took units in Master of Physical Therapy from Southwestern University after graduating from his 5-year Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy course from Misamis University in the Philippines.
Neil graduated from the Physical Therapist Assistant Program from River Valley Community College in Claremont, NH in 2017. He has had various exposures in acute/subacute care, community-based rehabilitation, outpatient, skilled nursing facility, and home health settings in the Philippines and in the US for the past 20 years.
Neil is also a certified First Aid instructor in the Philippines and held an EMT license here in the US. He recently got certified this year for the LSVT BIG Program to help People with Parkinson ’s disease.
Neil greatly enjoys mountain biking, stand up paddling, and hiking with his family. He gets immense pride in defeating his 9-year-old and 22-year-old sons in games of chess and he loves to walk his high energy dog, Rocky twice a day.
Staff Spotlight: Melissa Morrison
Staff Spotlight:
Melissa Morrison
Melissa is new addition to our office staff at the St. Johnsbury clinic. She has hit the ground running in the office and has fit in perfectly. Melissa is an insurance specialist who also ensures the front office runs smoothly. After a 10 year break from the medical field, Melissa decided she missed it and returned and we are incredibly proud to have her on staff.
Melissa’s favorite food is fruit and coffee. You can always see a large bowl of grapes/raspberries/blueberries next to her desk when she is in the office. It is also important to note that Melissa not only keeps snacks for herself but she also is the stocker of the ‘Life Saver bowls’ that we all have grown to rely on.
Melissa loves spending time with her grandkids, crafting and playing horseshoes and plans to do a lot of traveling in the near future.
Be sure to say hello to Melissa next time you’re in the St. Johnsbury clinic.