Dan Wyand, PT
Dan graduated from the University of Vermont in 1975 with a degree in Physical Therapy and has continued his training with an emphasis on extremity and spinal manual therapy techniques.
In 1981, Dan established Dan Wyand, PT & Associates, PLLC, and has developed the practice to include PTs, PTAs, ATCs, OTs and personal trainers. In addition to managing the practice, Dan remains a full-time clinician, specializing in the treatment of orthopedic injuries of the spine and extremities.
Dan is active in the Vermont American Physical Therapy Association in several capacities, including his current position as the Northeast District Chairperson and past president of NEAHEC (Northeast Area Health Education Center). He is also the Chairperson for the Professional Advisory Committee of Caledonia Home Health & Hospice and is a Corporator at NVRH.
Dan remains active through golf, tennis, biking and hiking throughout the Northeast Kingdom.
Kristin Franson
Practice Manager
Kristin works as the Practice Manager at Dan Wyand, PT & Associates. She grew up in Danville and after living out of state for a number of years, returned to the area to raise her children. She most recently worked as the Director of Human Resources at DWPT and now manages both clinics. She has been with the clinic for 13 years.
In her free time, Kristin enjoys spending time outdoors and traveling with her husband and two daughters.
Michael Matteis, PT, DPT
Clinical Manager, Lyndonville
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.
Brigitte Berry
Administrative Manager, Lyndonville
Brigitte is the Administrative Manager at Dan Wyand, PT & Associates Lyndonville location and has been with the business since 1985. She graduated from Lyndon State College with a BS degree in Physical Education with a concentration in teaching K-12th grade.
A native of the Northeast Kingdom, Brigitte enjoys gardening, golfing, reading and spending time with her family.
Physical Therapists
Jacqueline E. Abella, PT, DPT, CLT
Jackie joined the team in 2019 after working in community-based rehabilitation, hospital inpatient, hospital outpatient, and pro-bono physical therapy settings in the Philippines for over 10 years, until she moved to Vermont. Since moving here in 2009, Jackie has worked in several skilled nursing facilities and in the home health setting.
She graduated from Silliman University in her home country of the Philippines in March of 1998 with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy degree and is committed to working with individuals in fostering achievement of their highest mobility. Jackie earned her doctorate degree in Physical Therapy from Arcadia University in Glenside, PA in 2017. She is a skilled certified lymphedema therapist, and provides that service at our St. Johnsbury outpatient clinic.
She loves to spend time with her family mountain biking, kayaking, hiking, and participating in walks for a cause.
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.
Jennifer E. Hemond, PT, 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.
Sharon Lamb, PT, SCS, ATC
Sara Stinson, PT, DPT, AIB-VRC
Sara earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) from Franklin Pierce University in 2009. She has completed several advanced courses in management of vestibular and neurological disorders. She is a certified Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) BIG Practioner, and is certified through the American Institute of Balance in Vestibular Rehabilitation and Concussion (AIB-VRC).
Sara lives in Danville with her husband and their two children. She enjoys running, hiking and volunteering as a Girl Scout Troop Leader.
Kelly Wilkins, PT, MPT
Kelly has been employed at Dan Wyand, PT & Associates since December 2003. She graduated from the University of New England in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science and went on to complete her Master’s in Physical Therapy in 2003. She has continued her education through multiple courses geared towards women’s health, including Pregnancy & Postpartum, Beyond Kegels I and II and Female Pelvic Floor Dysfunction. She has also received training in various other manual therapy techniques.
Kate Simone, PT, MPT
Kate Simone received her Master’s of Science in Physical Therapy from Ithaca College in 2001. . She worked at Copley Hospital in Morrisville, VT for 22 years with inpatients, outpatients, aquatic therapy and cardiac rehabilitation on prior to moving to St. Johnsbury with her family in August of 2023.
She joined Dan Wyand, PT and Associates in September of 2023. She enjoys working with patients with all diagnoses, but especially enjoys working with patients with chronic pain. She is LSVT BIG certified and Graston certified.
She enjoys spending time with her family (including her 3 dogs) and exploring the outdoors with walking, biking, hiking, snow shoeing and cross country skiing.
Occupational Therapists
Tiffany Benoit, OTR/L
Tiffany 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 2013 with a BS in Exercise Science with a concentration in pre-professional Physical Therapy. She completed the Masters in Occupational Therapy Program at Utica College and now provides inpatient Occupational Therapy for patients at NVRH, and outpatient Occupational Therapy in our St. Johnsbury clinic.
Tiffany enjoys staying active and spending time with her family.
Physical Therapist Assistants
Neil Abella, PTA
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. He 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. He is also a certified First Aid instructor in the Philippines and held an EMT license here in the US. He is certified in 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 sons in games of chess, and enjoys walking his dog, Rocky.
Megan Lynch, PTA
Megan has been employed as a Physical Therapy Assistant at Dan Wyand, PT & Associates since October, 2005. She graduated from River Valley College in 2004 with an Associate’s degree in Allied Health Science. Her clinical interests include lymphedema and pulmonary rehabilitation.
Megan’s hobbies include hiking, reading and snowshoeing.
Susan Pray-Glodgett, PTA, CMT
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 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.
Renee Ignjatovic, PTA
Renee earned her Associate’s Degree from Hesser College in 1999 and is a Physical Therapy Assistant. She assists the Physical Therapists in treating various orthopedic conditions, the work conditioning program, wound care and therapeutic massage.
Renee enjoys exercising, gymnastics and spending time with her family.
Athletic Trainers
Ryan Farley, ATC, CEAS-1
Ryan graduated from Lyndon State College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Medicine, with a concentration on Athletic Training, in 2002. He is a certified, licensed Athletic Trainer and has been working with us since 2002. Along with treating patients, Ryan fabricates splints and orthotics and designs exercise programs for patients in the outpatient setting. He is also contracted with a local high school, providing game coverage for soccer and basketball. Ryan provides sports clinic evaluations and treatment for athletes in the surrounding communities.
One of Ryan’s greatest passions is coaching baseball. He is very active in the community, coaching youth and as the head baseball coach at LSC from 2005-2011. There is no greater satisfaction for Ryan than seeing patients and athletes with injuries overcome adversity and return to a healthy, happy lifestyle.
Clerical Staff
Melissa Morrison
Melissa is part of our office staff at the St. Johnsbury clinic. 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 next to her desk when she is in the office.
Melissa loves spending time with her grandkids, crafting, playing horseshoes and plans to do a lot of traveling in the near future.
Morgan Wood
Morgan grew up in St. Johnsbury and after living in Burlington for 10 years moved back to the Northeast Kingdom to be closer to family and her 3 nephews.
Morgan is a huge fan of live comedy and concerts and one of her bucket list items is she wants to travel to Red Rocks to see her favorite band (Dirty Heads) play their favorite venue. She also enjoys decorating cakes (what she went to school for).
You can find Morgan behind the front desk in Lyndonville as well as in the St. Johnsbury clinic.
Michelle Stone
Bio coming soon.