The Physical Therapy Connection team of Physical Therapists, and Massage Therapists have combined experience in treating musculoskeletal disorders.
PHYSICAL THERAPISTS
BETH LANDGRAF, PT, GT CERTIFIED, NIKE GPS
Beth has been the owner of The Physical Therapy Connection since 2008. Beth has been licensed in 3 states and has worked in Sports Medicine based clinics, inpatient/outpatient hospital settings, skilled nursing facilities and has performed home physical therapy. She was the Director of a Physical Therapy Department in Indiana and Clinical Supervisor in Multiple Clinics prior to owning The Physical Therapy Connection. She has provided skilled physical therapy services in DeWitt since 1999.
Beth has been a Clinical Supervisor for the MSU Kinesiology Program for many years. She has also been a Clinical Instructor for Baker College. Beth has partnered with DeWitt Schools as a facility for job shadowing for many high school students who are interested in the field of Sports Medicine and/or Physical Therapy.
Beth has earned her Certification as a Nike Golf Performance Specialist and has also achieved her certification in Graston Technique (a form of Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization). She is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, Michigan Physical Therapy Association, American College of Sports Medicine and National Strength and Conditioning Association. She has also been a member of the DeWitt Chamber of Commerce and, prior to that, the DeWitt Business Association.
Beth lives in DeWitt and enjoys spending time with her son, Jake, her dog, and cats. It has been her goal to provide optimum care in a pleasant and comfortable atmosphere. She has surrounded herself with a professional team who shares her commitment to excellence.
THOMAS LACLAIR, PT, DPT, CSCS
Tom received his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Michigan-Flint. Prior to his doctorate, he received his Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from Michigan State University. Tom received his Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist Certification in February of 2016 and is an active member of both the National Strength and Conditioning Association and the American Physical Therapy Association. He rejoined the Physical Therapy Connection family as a Doctor of Physical Therapy in September 2016. Tom previously worked at PTC as a Rehabilitation Tech prior to his acceptance to the graduate program at U of M. Tom specializes in outpatient orthopedics, but has clinical experience in acute care and neurologic settings. Outside of physical therapy, Tom enjoys working out at a local heath club and playing several sports including basketball, golf and tennis. He is an avid Michigan State Spartans fan!
BETH BARRIE, PT, DPT, OCS, CMPT
Beth is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, earning her degree in 2007 at Grand Valley State University. Upon graduation, Beth was certified by the ABPTS as an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) in 2013 and acquired her Certified Manual Physical Therapist (CMPT) certification through the North American Institute of Orthopedic Manual Therapy in 2015. She has also taken courses through the MSU manual medicine program and the Gray Institute. Beth is an active member of the APTA, functions as the Clinical Coordinator for Continuing Education for The Physical Therapy Connection, and is an APTA credentialed clinical instructor. In her personal time, Beth enjoys yoga, walking, running, being outdoors, reading, and spending time with her husband and two daughters.
LAURA BLEMASTER, PT, DPT
Laura joined our Physical Therapy Connection family as a Physical Therapist in November 2018. She is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, earning her degree in 2018 from the University of Michigan. She is a class of 2009 DeWitt High School graduate, and graduated from Grand Valley State University in 2014 with a Bachelor’s in Clinical Exercise Science. She has worked as a personal trainer and group exercise instruction in St. Johns prior to becoming a Physical Therapist. Laura enjoys working in the outpatient orthopedic setting. She plans to become PWR certified to treat Parkinson’s disease. She enjoys playing volleyball, soccer, and running. She recently had a baby boy who keeps her very busy.
KRISTIN DEPPEN, MSPT
Kristin has been practicing physical therapy for 21 years. She received her Master’s of Science in Physical Therapy from Grand Valley State University. Prior to attending GVSU, she graduated from Lyman Briggs at Michigan State University with a degree in Physiology with a specialization in health and humanities. Before moving to DeWitt 14 years ago, she worked for Mary Free Bed Hospital in Grand Rapids specializing in traumatic brain injuries. She enjoys working with young athletes but also loves the variety of patients and diagnoses her job provides. Kristin enjoys working out, walking her dogs, yoga and reading. She loves to spend time with her family and especially enjoys watching her 3 children in their numerous sporting events.
JOHN LEHMAN, PT, DPT
John is the newest member of the PTC family. He acquired his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from GVSU in 2019. He is a 2012 Pewamo-Westphalia High School graduate, and completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology at Michigan State University in 2015. He has experience coaching 9th grade basketball, and developing individual exercise programs. He enjoys OP Ortho settings, working with (and talking to) folks of all ages. He enjoys working with his hands both in the clinic (manual therapy) and in his hobbies (woodworking, yardwork). He loves being active with basketball, volleyball, golf, running, and recently got married in August!
ATHLETIC TRAINERS
STEVE JENKINS, M.Ed ATC
Steve has been the Athletic Trainer at DeWitt High School for 8 years. He specializes in sports injuries and returning athletes to performing at a high level following an injury. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Sports Medicine/Athletic Training from Central Michigan University in 2006 and received his Master’s degree in 2009 from Auburn University. Steve enjoys playing and watching sports, spending time with his wife, Annie, and his daughter, Palmer. You can see him around at all of DeWitt High School’s sporting events and say Hello.
ANGIE PRICE, ATC
Angie joined the PTC team in April 2019 as a certified athletic trainer. Angie received her Bachelor’s Degree in Athletic Training/Sports Medicine from Central Michigan University in 2003. She worked in a clinic or outreach position for 13 years following graduation. She then transitioned to a full time clinical position. She has completed multiple continuing education courses including Principles of Manual Medicine through Michigan State University. Angie enjoys spending time with her husband and 3 daughters, outdoor activities, being active, sports, and animals in her free time.
LEXI EMBS, ATC
Lexi joined the PTC team in May 2019 as a certified athletic trainer. Lexi received her Bachelor’s Degree in Athletic Training from Central Michigan University in 2018. Lexi enjoys spending time with her two cats, Hank and Leo, spending time outdoors, and binge watching Netflix shows in her free time.
JOSH PAQUET, ATC
Josh has been a certified athletic trainer since graduating from CMU in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science in Sports Medicine and a minor in Exercise Science. He spent the first 7 years of his career doing clinical outreach as the AT for DeWitt high school. Clinical athletic training became his focus in 2007 as his children aged and it became difficult to attend their activities while working in a different school district. In 2009 he began working as the athletic trainer at Laingsburg high school in addition to his full time clinical work. He has been there since then and enjoyed watching his son play basketball and baseball before graduating in 2013. His daughter will graduate in 2021 and is also a multisport athlete at Laingsburg. Josh began working at PTC in the summer of 2019. He has extensive continuing education in manual therapy and has attended multiple courses through MSUs College of Osteopathic Medicine. He enjoys many outdoor activities and loves exploring Michigan with his family.
MASSAGE THERAPISTS
KATHRYN DAVARN, LMT
Kathy joined PTC in January 2017 as our Licensed Massage Therapist. She did her training at Lansing Community College and has worked as an independent contractor since 1995. Kathy retired in 2009 from Sparrow Hospital after 27 years as a Licensed Practical Nurse. She enjoyed 39 years of nursing practice and feels that massage therapy is an extension of her nursing.
“I enjoy helping people feel better!”
ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM
AMANDA MUNDT, BS
Amanda graduated from Michigan State University in 2014 with a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She joined the Physical Therapy Connection in 2014 as an Office Assistant and was promoted to Office Manager in 2015. Amanda is the lead insurance coordinator for our patients and physical therapists. She has created and implemented a training program to educate our therapists on current changes in all major insurance companies. Amanda volunteers her time to the Michigan State Troopers Assistance Fund (MSTAF); a non-profit organization that gives financial assistance to Michigan first responders and their families when tragedies strike. She has led numerous fundraisers for MSTAF including organizing their first 5k Run/Walk that took place in July of 2017. Amanda enjoys Zumba, reading mystery novels, and spending time with her husband and their two cats, Izzy and LuLu.
LINDA SAYLOR
Linda began at The Physical Therapy Connection after the summer of 2018 as part of our administrative team as an office assistant. She graduated from Baker College of Owosso in 1993 with an Associates Degree in Office Administration where she was soon after employed by a law firm in East Lansing. Linda has spent the last sixteen years working the front desk at a physical therapy clinic. She enjoys crocheting, cooking, travelling, and spending time with her family.
PHYSICAL THERAPY AIDES
MELISSA KEESLING, BS, RYT-200
Melissa began at our clinic as an intern and soon became a part of the PTC team as a physical therapy technician and yoga instructor. She graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and a minor in health promotion with a concentration in physical therapy. Melissa is a certified Yoga instructor through Yoga Alliance, RYT-200 hour, a certified Yoga for Golfers instructor, a certified Barre Intensity instructor, as well as an independent representative of Wildtree – all organic nutrition and meal planning. She enjoys living an active lifestyle and is always motivated to expand her knowledge and experience in fitness training and her entire field of study. She will be pursuing her Physical Therapy Assistant degree in the Fall of 2019 and will have her PTA license in the Fall of 2020. She is also currently studying to earn her Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist Certification. She enjoys golfing, yoga, softball, kickball, hunting, running 5k races, and is always up for a burger and fries. Combining her educational, fitness, and sports background, Melissa provides valuable insight and instruction for all of our patients.
EMILY MURDOCH, BA
Emily joined the PTC team in 2018. She graduated from Northwood University with her
Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with an OPS major. There she was a part of the university’s soccer, cross country, and track teams. Emily gained knowledge of sports medicine and rehabilitation throughout her sports career, sparking a career interest in the subject. Her plans are to continue taking classes and apply to schools to receive her Doctorate of Physical Therapy and help others stay healthy and be able to enjoy the things they love to do. Other interests of hers besides soccer and running, are working out at the gym, reading, enjoying time with her family and friends, and taking care of her dogs.
DANNY TRAN, MS, NASM PES, CPT
Danny joined the PTC team in November 2018 as a physical therapy aide. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology from Michigan State University in 2015, followed by his Master’s Degree in Exercise Science with a concentration in sports performance training, from Concordia University Chicago in 2018. He will be pursuing his Physical Therapy Assistant degree in Fall of 2019. He enjoys an active lifestyle just as much as he enjoys donuts. He has a lot of experience with a variety of populations in various settings such as fitness centers, gyms, training studios, online coaching, and rehabilitation clinics. He believes that an individual’s quality of life can be improved through and with movement.