Kearney Family Physical Therapy with Family Practice

(Back row pictured from left to right)

Kellie Gossman: Physical Therapist

Shelby Paxton: Physical Therapist Assistant

Shelby grew up in Stuart, NE and got her Physical Therapist Assistant license from Northeast Community College. She knew she wanted a career in helping make a difference in someone’s life. She feels it is very rewarding to help people attain or regain their goals. Her favorite part about being a PTA is getting to watch the progress of all her patients as well as building relationships with each one. In Shelby’s spare time she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, reading and running. A quote she lives by is, “Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right.” Henry Ford

Matt Kenny: Physical Therapist

Matt is from Red Cloud, Nebraska and got his undergraduate from the University of Nebraska at Kearney and went to the University of Nebraska Medical Center for his advanced degree in Physical Therapy. He chose Physical Therapy as a career because he wanted a career where he could help people. Therapy is such a unique opportunity to get to work together with patients towards achieving their goals. He especially likes meeting new people and helping them reach their goals so patients are able to return to their normal life and/or even possibly better than before they came and saw us. In Matt’s spare time he enjoys spending time with family and friends. A quote he lives by is, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

Cassie Fish: Speech Therapist

Cassie grew up here in Kearney and got her undergraduate and an advanced degree from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln.  She knew speech pathology was the perfect profession for her when she saw her passions of critical thinking and giving back to others merge into meaningful work. She especially enjoys how each day brings new challenges, new gains, and always leaves her with a smile on her face. In Cassie’s free time she is a frequent goer to country concerts, she enjoys playing volleyball and golf,  she is an avid traveler, but also loves to cozy up at home and read a great book next to her puppy, Boston. A quote she lives by is, “Be honest. Be kind. Be Silly.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Alisa Pecka: Occupational Therapist

Alisa grew up in Ravenna, NE and went to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to get her undergraduate and then attended Cox College in Springfield, MO to obtain her Masters in Occupational Therapy. She went into her field because she has always had a natural act of caring for others. She shadowed an OT back in high school and immediately knew that was the career of her dreams. She loved how the medical field collaborated with the emotional and occupation-based needs of others to make such a wonderful field. Her favorite part about her day is the diversity of settings/people she is able to work in/with every day. She may get to see a pediatrics patient breaking the barriers of their developmental delays in the morning, and then turn around and help a geriatric patient thrive while completing their morning dressing routine, in the afternoon. In her spare time you will find her boating, camping, fishing, hunting, spending time with her friends/family or playing with her dog Chip. A quote she lives by is, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

(Front row left to right)

Logan Payne: Physical Therapist

Logan grew up here in Kearney and graduated from Rockhurst with her undergraduate with a bachelors degree in Exercise Science and received her advanced degree in Physical Therapy from UNMC in Omaha.  She had physical therapy when she was a senior in high school following a knee injury. She really enjoyed her time in physical therapy and developed a close connection with her PT.  Her favorite part about being a Pediatric Therapist is watching kids grow and develop gross motor skills. Their faces seem to light up when a new task is accomplished. In Logan’s spare time she enjoys spending time with her husband and family, enjoys the outdoors whether its out on the lake, on a walk, or outdoor target archery. A quote she lives by is, “No ‘Payne,’ no gain” (Hint: Last Name).

Kaitlin Petri: Office Manager

Tori Garcia: Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant

Tori is from Cambridge, NE and graduated from Central Community College in Grand Island. Growing up she had always known she wanted to work in a field where she could help people. After shadowing both an Occupational Therapist and COTA, she instantly knew that was the career path she wanted to take. One of her favorite parts of her job is that there are so many opportunities to work with a wide variety of people and every day is always different. It’s always amazing to watch people reach their goals and get them back to doing what they love. Her favorite part of her job is being able to build a relationship with each and every patient she gets to work with. In Tori’s free time she likes spending time with her family and friends, baking, camping, and anything outdoors in the summer time. A quote she lives by is, “The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams.”

Lydia Lusk: Physical Therapist Assistant

Lydia grew up in North Platte, NE and went to Northeast Community College to obtain her PTA license. She went into the field as she really enjoys working with people and getting them to their ideal therapy goals. Her favorite part of her job is helping people attain or regain mobility in their lives or just as simple as making a difference in peoples lives.  In her spare time she enjoys fishing, boating, kayaking and anything that involves being outdoors. A quote she lives by is, “If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or objects.”