Our Physical Therapists

Our Therapists

Meet Our Amazing Team of Therapists

Meet Our Amazing Team of Therapists

Physical Therapists

Paul Gardner, PT, GCS

Paul is the Administrator of Community Rehab for Hillcrest Rehab Services. A physical therapist for nearly 20 years, he has held various positions with Hillcrest Health Services for nearly 13 years including Director of Rehab (inpatient and outpatient) at Hillcrest Health and Rehab and the Director of Hillcrest Physical Therapy. Paul received his undergraduate degree in biology from Dana College and a master’s of physical therapy from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He is a certified geriatric specialist and also specializes in spine care. He is passionate about preventing painful conditions rather than reacting to those conditions and helping older adults optimize function to remain active in their community.

Paul also serves as a mentor to younger clinicians to help them develop stronger clinical skills. Born and raised in Plattsmouth, Paul has been a Bellevue resident since 2001. He and his wife do their best to keep up with their five children, and Paul’s commitment to personal wellness extends to running, camping, reading and smoking meat.

Jenifer Johnson, PT, DPT

Jenifer received her bachelor’s degree from Morningside college in Sioux City, IA in 2005 and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from UNMC in Omaha in 2009. She has been working at Hillcrest since she graduated and initially worked for three years in the in-patient rehab setting before switching gears to the outpatient setting. She enjoys working with all types of patients but has a special passion for women’s health therapy.

She has received over 40 hours of post graduate education in this area and is qualified to help treat women with issues such as incontinence, pelvic floor dysfunction and issues related to pregnancy. In her spare time, Jenifer enjoys watching soccer, cheering on the Huskers and spending quality time with her husband and two children.

 

Sarah Blomenkamp, PT, MPT, DPT, GCS, CEEAA

Sarah attended Creighton University as an Exercise Science Major. She graduated with honors from University of Nebraska Medical Center with her Masters of Physical Therapy Degree in 2002 and with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy Degree in 2005. She has a passion for the profession and strives to be a lifelong learner. She is certified through the American Physical Therapy Association as a Certified Exercise Expert in the Aging Adult (CEEAA) as well as a Geriatric Certified Specialist (GCS). She is certified as a LSVT BIG therapist for the treatment of persons with Parkinson’s Disease. She also has extra training in vestibular rehabilitation as well as balance and fall prevention. She strives to empower and educate her clients so that they have the tools to treat themselves long after they leave her doors. She consistently promotes lifelong wellness and uses the most current evidence to help maximize function so that her clients cane lead as active and healthy lifestyle as possible.

Sarah and her husband Matt have two children, Isaac and Ally. They have a dachshund named Lucy that keeps them on their toes as well. Sarah and her family enjoy watching and attending sporting events, spending time with extended family and friends and have a great appreciation for music.

 

Loretta Zechmann, PTA

Loretta has been working as a PTA in geriatrics for more than 15 years, with 10 of those years at Hillcrest. She holds a certification in Aquatic Therapeutic Exercise from the Aquatic Therapy & Rehab Institute (ATRIC).

Loretta received a Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sports Science from Iowa State University and her Physical Therapist Assistant degree from Northeast Community College.

 

 

 

Jenny Rose, PTA

Jenny attended Northern State University, earning her bachelor’s degree in Biology in 2008, and graduated with honors from the Physical Therapist Assistant program at Clarkson College in 2015. Prior to joining Hillcrest, she worked in the acute setting at Lincoln Surgical Hospital. While she enjoys working with a variety of diagnoses, her areas of special interest include aquatic physical therapy, manual therapy techniques and orthopedics.

She strives to teach patients proactive ways to take charge of their health rather than merely reacting to present injuries or physical deficits. Her dedication to health and love of adventure extends to running road races, hiking, traveling, photography and enjoying the outdoors with friends and family.

 

Occupational Therapists

Kathy Ramaekers, OTR/L, CHT

Kathy graduated from Creighton University in 1992 with a degree in Occupational Therapy. She has worked in in-patient and outpatient settings throughout her career and is passionate about helping her clients to achieve their goals and go on to live functional, independent lives.

Kathy loves to learn new techniques to pass on to her clients and has completed certifications in lymphedema management in 2005, hand therapy in 2008 and LSVT BIG program in 2015 for treatment of clients with Parkinson’s Disease. She is able to use her experience, training and comprehensive skill set to achieve the best functional outcomes possible. She enjoys time with her family, going on bike rides, scuba diving and just hanging out!

 

Speech Therapists

Amber Detter, M.S., CCC-SLP

Amber earned her undergraduate degree in speech-language pathology and audiology from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln in 2013 and her graduate degree from University of Nebraska at Lincoln in speech-language pathology in 2015. She has practiced at Hillcrest since 2018.

Amber has a special interest and passion in treating individuals with cognitive difficulties and/or Parkinson’s disease. Her certifications include Vitalstim for the treatment of swallowing and LSVT LOUD for the treatment of voice.

Amber is originally from Beatrice, Nebraska and currently lives in Bellevue. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, photography, traveling and spoiling her Sheltie mix.

Massage Therapists

Laura Phillips, MA, CCH, LMT

Laura received her license in massage therapy from the Universal College of Healing Arts. She often combines complementary modalities to support physical, emotional and spiritual healing for clients as a Certified Consulting Hypnotist and a Level III Usui Reiki Master Practitioner and Trainer.

Laura has her own practice in Omaha and started offering her services at Hillcrest in 2017

 

 

 

Cynthia DeVore, LMT

Cynthia is a graduate of the Universal College of Healing Arts. She is a Nebraska Certified Licensed Massage Therapist, a Watsu® provider and has a particular interest in stress relief. Cynthia is also a horticulturist and utilizes aromatherapy during bodywork treatments. She is a Watsu student and is looking forward to yoga teacher training this fall. In addition, Cynthia has received training and practices Primordial Sound Meditation. She enjoys gardening and practicing yoga during her free time.

 

 

 

 

Paul Gardner, PT, GCS

Paul is the Administrator of Community Rehab for Hillcrest Rehab Services. A physical therapist for nearly 20 years, he has held various positions with Hillcrest Health Services for nearly 13 years including Director of Rehab (inpatient and outpatient) at Hillcrest Health and Rehab and the Director of Hillcrest Physical Therapy. Paul received his undergraduate degree in biology from Dana College and a master’s of physical therapy from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He is a certified geriatric specialist and also specializes in spine care. He is passionate about preventing painful conditions rather than reacting to those conditions and helping older adults optimize function to remain active in their community.

Paul also serves as a mentor to younger clinicians to help them develop stronger clinical skills. Born and raised in Plattsmouth, Paul has been a Bellevue resident since 2001. He and his wife do their best to keep up with their five children, and Paul’s commitment to personal wellness extends to running, camping, reading and smoking meat.

 

Jenifer Johnson, PT, DPT
Jenifer received her bachelor’s degree from Morningside college in Sioux City, IA in 2005 and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from UNMC in Omaha in 2009. She has been working at Hillcrest since she graduated and initially worked for three years in the in-patient rehab setting before switching gears to the outpatient setting. She enjoys working with all types of patients but has a special passion for women’s health therapy.

She has received over 40 hours of post graduate education in this area and is qualified to help treat women with issues such as incontinence, pelvic floor dysfunction and issues related to pregnancy. In her spare time, Jenifer enjoys watching soccer, cheering on the Huskers and spending quality time with her husband and two children.

 

Sarah Blomenkamp, PT, MPT, DPT, GCS, CEEAA
Sarah attended Creighton University as an Exercise Science Major. She graduated with honors from University of Nebraska Medical Center with her Masters of Physical Therapy Degree in 2002 and with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy Degree in 2005. She has a passion for the profession and strives to be a lifelong learner. She is certified through the American Physical Therapy Association as a Certified Exercise Expert in the Aging Adult (CEEAA) as well as a Geriatric Certified Specialist (GCS). She is certified as a LSVT BIG therapist for the treatment of persons with Parkinson’s Disease. She also has extra training in vestibular rehabilitation as well as balance and fall prevention. She strives to empower and educate her clients so that they have the tools to treat themselves long after they leave her doors. She consistently promotes lifelong wellness and uses the most current evidence to help maximize function so that her clients cane lead as active and healthy lifestyle as possible.

Sarah and her husband Matt have two children, Isaac and Ally. They have a dachshund named Lucy that keeps them on their toes as well. Sarah and her family enjoy watching and attending sporting events, spending time with extended family and friends and have a great appreciation for music.

 

Loretta Zechmann, PTA
Loretta has been working as a PTA in geriatrics for more than 15 years, with 10 of those years at Hillcrest. She holds a certification in Aquatic Therapeutic Exercise from the Aquatic Therapy & Rehab Institute (ATRIC).

Loretta received a Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sports Science from Iowa State University and her Physical Therapist Assistant degree from Northeast Community College.

 

 

 

Jenny Rose, PTA
Jenny attended Northern State University, earning her bachelor’s degree in Biology in 2008, and graduated with honors from the Physical Therapist Assistant program at Clarkson College in 2015. Prior to joining Hillcrest, she worked in the acute setting at Lincoln Surgical Hospital. While she enjoys working with a variety of diagnoses, her areas of special interest include aquatic physical therapy, manual therapy techniques and orthopedics.

She strives to teach patients proactive ways to take charge of their health rather than merely reacting to present injuries or physical deficits. Her dedication to health and love of adventure extends to running road races, hiking, traveling, photography and enjoying the outdoors with friends and family.

 

Kathy Ramaekers, OTR/L, CHT
Kathy graduated from Creighton University in 1992 with a degree in Occupational Therapy. She has worked in in-patient and outpatient settings throughout her career and is passionate about helping her clients to achieve their goals and go on to live functional, independent lives.

Kathy loves to learn new techniques to pass on to her clients and has completed certifications in lymphedema management in 2005, hand therapy in 2008 and LSVT BIG program in 2015 for treatment of clients with Parkinson’s Disease. She is able to use her experience, training and comprehensive skill set to achieve the best functional outcomes possible. She enjoys time with her family, going on bike rides, scuba diving and just hanging out!

 

Amber Detter, M.S., CCC-SLP

Amber earned her undergraduate degree in speech-language pathology and audiology from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln in 2013 and her graduate degree from University of Nebraska at Lincoln in speech-language pathology in 2015. She has practiced at Hillcrest since 2018.

Amber has a special interest and passion in treating individuals with cognitive difficulties and/or Parkinson’s disease. Her certifications include Vitalstim for the treatment of swallowing and LSVT LOUD for the treatment of voice.

Amber is originally from Beatrice, Nebraska and currently lives in Bellevue. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, photography, traveling and spoiling her Sheltie mix.

 

Laura Phillips, MA, CCH, LMT
Laura received her license in massage therapy from the Universal College of Healing Arts. She often combines complementary modalities to support physical, emotional and spiritual healing for clients as a Certified Consulting Hypnotist and a Level III Usui Reiki Master Practitioner and Trainer.

Laura has her own practice in Omaha and started offering her services at Hillcrest in 2017

 

 

 

Cynthia DeVore, LMT
Cynthia is a graduate of the Universal College of Healing Arts. She is a Nebraska Certified Licensed Massage Therapist, a Watsu® provider and has a particular interest in stress relief. Cynthia is also a horticulturist and utilizes aromatherapy during bodywork treatments. She is a Watsu student and is looking forward to yoga teacher training this fall. In addition, Cynthia has received training and practices Primordial Sound Meditation. She enjoys gardening and practicing yoga during her free time.

 

 

 

 

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