RAISE THE BAR THERAPY SERVICES - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- PT, DPT. Director of Physical Therapy and Pediatrics
Alison graduated from Radford University in 2016 with her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. Prior to obtaining her DPT, Alison earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Medicine, specifically concentrated in Athletic Training, also from Radford University. She has a passion for pediatric physical therapy and has also spent several years providing physical therapy services for the adult ad geriatric population. She has experience in pediatrics, outpatient orthopedics, sports medicine, home health therapy, geriatrics, memory care, and short term rehabilitation in skilled nursing facilities. Alison grew up in Hampton, Virginia and moved to Hampstead, North Carolina in 2018. She can be found spending most of her free time on the beach with her husband, Mike, her baby boy, Leo, and her golden retriever, Knox.
Angelica is a collegiate athlete, a musician, and an honor student. She is presently studying to apply to the College of Medicine. We are lucky to have her as our Rehab Tech and Clinical Supervisor. She assists all therapies with quality treatment, and is able to provide valuable support for each and every patient. In regard to the more challenging Autistic population, you can often find her in the ball pit with her guitar singing to them and assisting them to strum and sing along with her.
Conner graduated from Lenior-Rhyne University in 2020 with her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy degree. Prior to obtaining her MOT, Conner earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology, Exercise Science from Longwood University. Conner grew up in Martinsville, Virginia before moving to Hampstead, NC in 2022. She has a passi
Job Titles:
- Director of Speech Therapy
Danielle graduated from The Pennsylvania State University School of Health and Human Services with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She then received her Masters Degree of Science in Speech Language Pathology from New York Medical College, where the emphasis was on neuroscience, dysphagia, and medical management. Danielle has experience with a variety of diversified settings ranging from newborns in the NICU to the geriatric population, hospital setting, sub acute rehab, outpatient therapy and Telehealth. Danielle is Certified in Vital Stimulation, Myofascial Release, and Kinesiology Taping for Swallowing Disorders. She is the director of Pediatrics and Specializes in Feeding Therapy, Mommy and Me Support Groups, and Orofacial Myo-functional Therapy and Tethered Oral Tissue Treatment.
Job Titles:
- Licensed Massage Therapist
Diana has been a practicing COTA for over 25 years, and is also a licensed massage therapist, and Certified Healthcare Coach. She specializes in hands on manual therapy, energy work, neuromuscular reeducation, guided imagery, pain management, and PTSD. As a retired military wife with 22 years of service, she innately realizes all that the military life entails and she loves treating our Veterans! Diana recently relocated from FL to assist in building the RTB Holistic Healing Program, and to live her dream of healing as many people as she can. Watch out for her Wellness Education Series she will be providing to the community
Job Titles:
- Office Administrator / Insurance Specialist
Jewel has been an EMT and an integral part of the Fire Department for over 20 years. She comes to us from Pender EMS as Administrative Assistant is responsible for all intake, medical records processing, and coordination with the billing agent. She is also the Human Resources Specialist! If you need help with any questions about your insurance, getting approved visits, or run into an issue she is your girl! Jewel serves the patients at Raise The Bar Therapy Services with a smile!
Jonathan graduated from NASHCC PTA Program in 2014. His experience ranges from sports medicine to balance disorders, and he loves working with those who have suffered from neurological diagnoses and orthopedics. Jonathan also loves to work out and take care of his body and is knowledgeable in exercise physiology and nutrition. Jonathan and Alison often work together to provide quality hands on care to their clients. He can often be found on the elliptical or using the TheraBand in between patients. He is an educator as well as an exemplary PTA! Check him out on the Facebook page as he provides weekly tips for back pain, shoulder pain and ergonomics.
Julie, AKA, "Jules" graduated from Guilford Technical Community College in 2009 with a Physical Therapy Assistant degree. She also obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from Liberty University in 2007 with a focus on Exercise Science and Fitness Programming. Jules has spent the past 12 years serving our community in the hospital setting, outpatient pediatrics, outpatient geriatrics, and short-term rehabilitation in skilled nursing facilities. She is a North Carolinian native and is excited to be able to do what she loves where she loves. When not at work Julie can be found spending time with her family and serving at Scotts Hill Baptist Church.
Kate is originally from Alexandria, VA. She attended Virginia Tech (go Hokies!) for undergrad, and graduated with her Bachelor's in Human Development with a minor in Linguistics. She then moved to Minneapolis, MN and attended the University of Minnesota where she earned her Master's in Speech-Language Pathology. During her time at UMN, Kate had the opportunity to work with a variety of patients, but found her passion working in pediatrics. Kate has an interest in early language acquisition, speech sound disorders, and feeding/swallowing. Kate and her husband are very excited to trade in their snow boots for flip flops, and enjoy living minutes from the beach.
MacKenna is a dedicated and passionate healthcare worker who graduated in 2021 from Madisonville Community College with a Physical Therapist Assistant degree. She has accomplished clinical experience in the hospital setting, long-term acute care, and outpatient setting during her education. After completing her degree, she moved back here to her hometown with her family, which includes her husband and young son, so they could be closer to family and friends. Mackenna is proud and honored to be giving back to this lovely community that she grew up in. She looks forward to helping people maximize their movement, minimize their pain, and improve their quality of life while creating friendships along the way.
Michelle Biele graduated with honors from The Ohio State University's School of Allied Medical Professions in 1990, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy. She has over 30 years of experience in a variety of diversified settings, from Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation to Psychiatry. She utilizes her wealth of knowledge to assist her clients with conventional, and integrative methods of holistic healing, treating the symptom AND the problem.
Michelle specializes in Upper Extremity Quadrant Disorders, Splinting, Sports Medicine, Myofascial Release, Joint Mobilization, and Mental Health. She believes that an integrative approach to holistic healing is the key to wellness and is therefore able to assist/guide clients in areas such as pain management, coping skills, and healing of the Mind/Bod/Spirit. Michelle loves educating her clients so that they become part of the sol
Rachel is a wonderful COTA from Mooresville NC with 5 years of experience in Pediatrics. She loves her kids and they love her! She finds innovative ways of connecting with both the children and their families to provide the best possible care, while successfully setting boundaries and assisting in their social development. Rachel has been an awesome addition to the team and deals extremely well with
behavioral challenges. She is also our media guru and can often be found 'out and about' taking pictures and shooting videos for our Facebook and Instagram page. Her Corgi's Ryder and Titan are famous on Instagram! If you are a dog lover check them out!
Rachel comes to Raise The Bar with more than 25 years of experience in Occupational Therapy. She has an extremely diverse background in therapy, specializing in multiple areas including inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, home health, stroke rehabilitation and neurologic impairments including Parkinson's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis and vestibular deficits. Rachel is also proficient in treating acute orthopedic injuries and degenerative diseases. Rachel is passionate about supporting patients and families in the community that have been affected by a stroke, and she has been instrumental in creating multiple stroke support groups and committees throughout Mecklenberg County and most recently in Pender County. When Rachel is not working she enjoys swimming, biking, running and spending time with her family in beautiful Topsail Island. Rachel is thrilled to be part of the Raise The Bar team as the organization's mission statement and treatment philosophy embodies an interdisciplinary and holistic approach to wellness, which ultimately equates to quality of life and empowerment for patients and their caregivers!
Rich has 17 years of experience as an outpatient orthopedic Physical Therapist. He received his Bachelor of Science degree at Sacred Heart University in Exercise Science in 2001, while playing D1 Baseball as a 3 year starter. He received his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from New York Institute of Technology in 2005. During his time at NYIT, he coached baseball at both the High School and College level.
Rich began his career at Gold Coast PT on Long Island, NY, and was quickly made Partner in 2007. While growing his practice, he specialized in treating High School and Collegiate athletes, and was the head PT for Stony Brook University Men's Hockey Team. Living in the same town as his practice, he made it an emphasis to create a family atmosphere in his offices. He had the privilege to work with several NFL and NHL athletes, but took as much pride in treating the people of his community. His basis of treatment is utilization of NKT, while also being trained in McKenzie, Maitland, and several other methods of treatment. He is certified in Blood Flow Restriction, and was a CSCS throughout most of his career.
He and his wife, Kristin, are proud parents of Jenna, Elle, and RJ, and recently moved to North Carolina in 2020. His passions include all things sports, and continues to play Ice Hockey and Golf. He also coaches Pee Wee Football. He looks forward to creating the same atmosphere at Raise The Bar Therapy Services!
Robin is a native of North Carolina and is a wonderful addition to RTBTS as our Patient Care Coordinator. Robin has over 20 years of experience working in the physician's office as a certified medical assistant and nurse. She now works as a liaison between the patients and the physicians as well as addressing any needs in the community. She has a background in marketing and was an outstanding professional in radio broadcasting, social media management and public relations . Robin has been hard at work since she started getting the Raise The Bar name out into the community. We are so excited to have her!
Selena is a collegiate athlete, and an honor student. She is presently studying to apply to the College of Medicine. We are lucky to have her as our Administrative Assistant at the front desk. She assists all clients with scheduling, insurance processing, and greets everyone with a smile! Selena works closely with our HR and Insurance Specialist so that our patients can be confident with their coverage and frequency and duration of treatment.
Vanessa McDaniel has been a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant for 17 years. She considers her job to be a Labor of Love as she has had the joy of seeing so many folks recover and go on to lead full and purposeful lives. Vanessa has learned so much from the patients that she has treated over the years, and for that, she is forever grateful. Vanessa believes in a Holistic outlook, which allows each patient greater success with reaching their goals. Here at Raise the Bar, we treat our patients and each other as family.
Vanessa has a son and daughter, 6 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren, that she loves very much. Vanessa is a transplant from Ohio, where her Mother and 4 sisters live, as well as other family members. Vanessa loves gardening, and long walks on the beach, and one of her favorite quotes " Let God direct your steps" Proverbs 3:6