IMPACT - Key Persons
Ann Richter received her Master's degree in Occupational Therapy from the College of St. Catherine in 1997. She worked as an Occupational Therapist in a multidisciplinary outpatient clinic, followed by a long-term care facility prior to her arrival at IMPACT Physical Medicine and Prism Aquatic Center in 2006.
Ann has extensive experience and knowledge treating patients in IMPACT's specialized PRISM pool. Ann is certified in Graston Technique and received certification as a Sports Massage Practitioner in 1990.
She has a special interest in Tai Chi and has studied Sun Style Tai Chi since 2010. Ann was certified to teach Tai Chi for Arthritis and Tai Chi for Diabetes in conjunction with the Arthritis Foundation in 2014 and enjoys providing these wellness classes at IMPACT.
Christie Amundson graduated from the College of St. Catherine with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Prior to graduating with her DPT, Christie earned her Health Fitness Specialist (HFS) Certification through the American College of Sports Medicine in 2003.
She used her health promotion knowledge and skills as a personal trainer and gymnastics instructor throughout her college and graduate years. After graduation, she worked in Columbus, Georgia, as a spine specialist before settling in the Twin Cities area. Christie became Postural Restoration Certified (PRC) in 2011. She has worked as a Physical Therapist and the Physical Therapy & Wellness Manager at IMPACT Physical Medicine and Prism Aquatic Center since 2011.
As a former gymnast and track athlete, Christie provides unique personal experience and perspective while treating runners, track and field athletes, gymnasts and dancers. She utilizes this experience, as well as additional training in video running analysis, to provide sport-specific assessments and rehabilitation for these individuals. Having experienced four pregnancies, she is also passionate about helping expecting and postpartum women enjoy the experience that motherhood brings without being plagued by pain and disability. Christie combines her personal journey with pain, injury and hypermobility with her knowledge and many years of experience to help all her patients reach their functional, health, fitness and sport performance goals.
Cyndi graduated from St. Catherine's University with her Masters Degree in Occupational Therapy in 2015. Prior to graduation she worked as a chiropractic assistant for several years and holds a certification in massage therapy (CMT) and a degree in personal training.
During her time at IMPACT, she became a Certified Work Capacity Evaluator (CWCE) which allows her to perform Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCEs) for those injured or disabled. She is now working towards certification in Postural Restoration (PRC) and has a special interest in weight loss, nutrition, and restorative yoga.
Cyndi's specialty is manual work. She uses skilled manual techniques as a basis of treatment to provide relief to patient's suffering from acute or chronic conditions. Conditions she commonly works with are: chronic pain, fibromyalgia, pain secondary to postural imbalances, and repetitive use injuries.
Outside of work, she enjoys hiking with her puppy, Dude; cooking; thrift store shopping with her daughter, Summer; and golfing.
Cyndi graduated from St. Catherine's University with a Master's in Occupational Therapy in 2015. Prior to OT, she worked as a personal trainer, certified massage therapist and chiropractic assistant. During her time at IMPACT, she has become certified in Functional Capacity Evaluations and is pursuing certification in Postural Restoration.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Medical Team
- Certified Medical Assistant
Job Titles:
- Member of the Medical Team
- Massage Therapist
- Medical Manual Therapist
Jack McGuire graduated from the University of Minnesota with a BS in Finance in 2016 before eventually completing an AAS in Therapeutic Massage from Northwestern Health Sciences
University in 2021. Jack found his way to massage therapy after experiencing labral tears in both shoulders. Massage therapy, physical therapy, and learning the value of a good warm-up all helped tremendously in his rehabilitation; and his experience made such an impact that it pushed him to redirect his career trajectory away from finance and towards health and wellness. Jack is also ART Spine Level 1 certified, practices PNF stretching, and is currently pursuing the NSCA's CSCS (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist) credential. He has always been active in athletics, professionally and recreationally. He worked as a swim instructor and lifeguard throughout college, and has worked as a contracted massage therapist for the U of M Gopher football team. Jack was a competitive swimmer in high school, played water polo through college, and now stays active primarily through weightlifting. Jack is enthusiastic about helping people move more, move better, and with less pain.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Medical Team
- Rehabilitation Aide & Medical Assistant
Job Titles:
- Physical Therapist
- Aquatics Instructor
Kari Van Schyndel graduated from the University of Washington with a Masters in Physical Therapy in 2003. She has worked in outpatient physical therapy clinics since that time, specializing in sports medicine and vestibular rehabilitation.
After purchasing a bike and experiencing pain while commuting to work, she pursued additional training in bike fits. For the past 15+ years, she has helped individuals return to biking pain free by providing recommendations based on a comprehensive bike fit evaluation.
Since moving to Minnesota, she joined the IMPACT Physical Medicine and Aquatic Center team as a physical therapist in the fall of 2013 and has been treating patients in the pool and on land since that time. She enjoys helping individuals return to their prior lifestyle and activities. In her free time she enjoys hiking, cross country skiing, tennis, cooking, and reading.
Kristi Kaschmitter graduated from the College of Saint Scholastica. Her previous experience is in acute care, pediatrics, and hand therapy. She is currently focusing on upper extremity treatment, including neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand diagnoses. Kristi has training in the Graston technique. She would also like to become a certified hand therapist.
Kristi enjoys treating post-surgical patients, patients that have had a fracture, and sports injuries.
Lindsey Scott graduated from St. Catherine University with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2020. She received her bachelor's degree in Athletic Training from Luther College focusing on sports at the beginning of her career and broadening her scope to treat patients across the lifespan. She has worked in many settings including outpatient orthopedics, sports rehabilitation, home care and long-term care facilities. She believes all patients deserve the ability to move and works with patients to optimize movement for each of them individually.
Mara Brandsoy Schwager graduated with a degree in Occupational Therapy from the College of St. Catherine.
She has worked for various multi-disciplinary outpatient clinics and has developed many relationships with other medical professionals. She often coordinates with them as necessary for quality care of her patients.
Mara has worked as an Occupational Therapist and Occupational Therapy Manager at IMPACT Physical Medicine and Prism Aquatic Center since 2001. She has 8 years of experience as an aquatic therapist treating in IMPACT's specialized PRISM Aquatic Center. She was the first Occupational Therapist to become Postural Restoration Certified (PRC) in 2008 and remains one of two certified OT's across the country. She is also MEDX Spinal Rehabilitation and Advanced Graston Technique certified.
Mara has a special interest in the assessment and modification of workstations for optimal position and job performance. She is a member of the Minnesota Occupational Therapy Association. Mara uses her experience and expertise to individualize treatment and assist her patients in achieving their highest level of performance.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Medical Team
- DABPMR / Medical Director
Dr. Mark Agre graduated medical school from the University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis. He completed his residency and PM&R training at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Madison. Dr. Agre is Board Certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Dr. Agre has over 20 years of experience as a Physiatrist. He started working as the Medical Director of IMPACT Physical Medicine and Prism Aquatic Center in 2001. He is interested in musculoskeletal outpatient physical medicine.
His hobbies include long-distance commuting and touring by bicycle, classic cross-country skiing, canoeing, backpacking, and sailing.
Mark DeSchepper graduated from the University of Minnesota with his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Minnesota in 2016. Mark Joined IMPACT in 2016 after graduating towards the top of his class. Mark's first year of clinical rotations has made him competent manual physical therapist. His clinical instructors have stated his manual therapy skills are that of an experienced physical therapist.
Mark has a passion in treating patients who have been involved in sports injuries and other traumatic injuries such as motor vehicle injuries and job-site injuries. He helps many of his patients with varying musculoskeletal disorders using largely manual therapy skills, which include spinal manipulation, soft tissue mobilization, and muscle energy techniques to gradually restore healthy movement.
Mark's strong dedication to his patients has helped many patients return to the lifestyle in which they choose to live. He strives for his patients' success their confidence in their plan of care.
An Illinois native from the suburbs north of Chicago, Matt moved to Minnesota in 2012 to begin undergraduate studies at Gustavus Adolphus College. After graduating with his Bachelor's
Degree in Psychology, Matt had a short term at Northwestern Health Sciences University (Bloomington, MN) to learn manual skills through the massage therapy program before relocating to Duluth (MN), where he earned his Masters Degree in Occupational Therapy at the College of St. Scholastica in 2021.
With primary interest in orthopedics, Matt spent 3 months extensively learning and treating shoulders, among a wide range of other conditions, in Ely (MN) and another 3 months at TRIA with the hand therapy department. Matt now takes his skills to IMPACT with the intent on eventually becoming a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT). Matt treats acute and chronic conditions in the clinic and the PRISM Aquatic Center.
Matt is an avid soccer player, coach, and fan. A few other hobbies and interests include sports and outdoor activities, animals, music, food, and cherishing time with friends. When given the opportunity, Matt will visit his family in Illinois.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Medical Team
- Medical Manual Therapist
Job Titles:
- Member of the Clinic Support Team
Job Titles:
- CEO
- Member of the Clinic Support Team
Tripti Joshi graduated from the University of Southern California with her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in May 2017. The physical therapy program at the Univeristy of Southern California is ranked number one in the country.
Tripti is very passionate about helping people move better and achieve their goals. She has experience working with post operative patients in orthopedic clinics, acute care hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, sports, and pediatric settings. Tripti loves to make her treatment sessions patient centered by utilizing many different treatment approaches such as postural restoration, movement based treatment, soft tissue and joint mobilization, therapeutic exercises, and many more treatment techniques.