Picture of The Rehabilitation Services Staff (male and female) wearing scrubs looking at the camera

Rehabilitation Services

Rehab Services: 336-846-0833
Fax: 336-846-0780

NO REFERRAL NEEDED!

We are a dedicated group of certified therapists and rehabilitation specialists who strive to help you achieve your personal goals. We offer physical therapy, occupational therapy, cardiac rehabilitation, pulmonary rehabilitation and speech therapy.

At Ashe Memorial Hospital, you will begin your rehab journey with a personal, 1-on-1 evaluation to get an overview of your individual needs. We will then custom tailor a rehab program to your current condition, goals and aspirations to help you perform at your highest level. Click here to learn more about our rehabilitation services department.

Rehabilitation Services Offerings Include:

General orthopedic care: back, neck, shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, ankle and foot
Post joint replacement rehab
Sports rehab
Neuro: Post CVA, TBI and Parkinson's
Vertigo/BPPV
Gait and balance dysfunction
General weakness/functional training
Lymphedema
Pelvic floor
Aquatic therapy
Occupational therapy
Hand therapy
Speech therapy
Modified Barium swallow studies
Cardiopulmonary rehab

Meet Our Staff

Dr. Dustin Absher, PT



Dustin Absher is an Ashe County native who currently lives in West Jefferson with his wife, Katie, and their children, Hattie and Dak. Dustin is a huge sports fan and loves being outdoors. Aside from work as Director of Rehabilitative Services at Ashe Memorial, he works closely with the athletes on the Gold and Red basketball teams at Oak Hill Academy, volunteers with the Ashe County High varsity football team on Friday nights and also serves as a volunteer assistant coach for the Ashe County High varsity baseball team.

Education:
Lenoir-Rhyne University
  -Bachelor of Science in Health, Exercise and Sport Science
Emory & Henry College
  -Doctorate of Physical Therapy

Clinical Interest:
Orthopedics
Sports Physical Therapy
Athletic Performance Training

Dr. Judith Saas, PT, CLT/MLD, ACSM



Judy Saas-Senter moved to the mountains in 2013 and is married to Ashe County native Travis Senter. She and her husband currently reside in Ashe County with their daughter. She enjoys staying active and is passionate about family, yoga, light running, golf and aquatic activities. You can often find her in the gym or yoga studio, playing with her daughter, hiking, on the river, gardening, cooking or skiing. Judy loves being a part of the community whether it's going to the farmers market, showing up at a local 5k, volunteering with a race, attending community events or volunteering at Heart of the Husky. She believes in a well-balanced lifestyle and hopes to help patients find a balance that works for them. In doing so, she tries to stay current with the latest research and takes a variety of continuing education courses in hopes of providing her community with a well-rounded treatment that they would receive at a larger hospital system.

Education:
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
  -Bachelor of Sciences in Exercise Sports Science and Dietary, 2005.
Elon University
  -Doctorate of Physical Therapy, 2011

Clinical Interest/Specialties:
CVA
Vestibular rehab
Balance
Geriatrics
Pediatrics
Acute Care/Inpatient
Return to Sport
Orthopedic Injuries
Lymphedema
Women's Health (Pelvic Floor Level 1)
Whole body awareness

Dr. Seth McGrady, PT



Seth McGrady is a native of Ashe County. He and his wife, Caitlin, currently live in Jefferson with their daughters, Kyah and Shiloh. Seth loves spending time with his family and friends and enjoys hiking, fishing, hunting, sports and being outdoors.

Education:
East Tennessee State University
  - Bachelor of Exercise Science, 2015
  - Doctorate of Physical Therapy, 2018

Clinical Interests/Specialty:
Pain Neuroscience Education
CVA
Balance
Geriatrics
Orthopedics
Acute Care/Inpatient
Sports injuries
Back Pain

Dr. Daniel Holchin, PT



Daniel Holchin is from Taylorsville, N.C. He and his wife, Alex, live in Jefferson with their son and golden retriever. Daniel enjoys spending time with friends and family. His hobbies include being outdoors, hunting, fishing, trapping and hiking.

Education:
Western Carolina University
  -Bachelors of Science in Athletic Training, May 2018
  -Doctorate of Physical Therapy, May 2021

Clinical Interest:
Sports injuries
Orthopedics
Geriatrics
Balance and fall prevention

Dr. Brian Ulrich, PT



Brian Ulrich is originally from central Pennsylvania and moved to Ashe County in July 2014. He currently lives in Glendale Springs with his wife, Whitney, who also is a physical therapist. They have two children, a daughter named Braya and a son named Hayes. Brian is an avid runner with years of competitive running experience. He also enjoys kayaking, hiking, and spending time outdoors with his family, especially on the nearby Mountains-to-Sea Trail.

Education:
Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, Pa.
  - Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology, 2010
Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, N.C.
  - Doctorate of Physical Therapy, 2014

Clinical Specialties/Interests/Certifications:
Orthopedics
Manual therapy
Vestibular rehabilitation
Sports medicine
Running-related injuries

Bill Mohr, PT



Bill Mohr brings over 40 years of experience to Ashe Memorial Hospital as a Physical Therapist, having worked primarily in outpatient orthopedic settings. He resides in Blowing Rock with his wife, Tanga. The couple has two daughters who live in Asheville and Victor, Idaho. Bill enjoys running, spending time at the beach with family, visiting his daughters and hiking.

Education:
Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
  - Physical Therapy Certificate, 1979
Ohio University, Athens, OH
  - Bachelor of Science in Zoology, 1979

Clinical Specialties/Interests/Certifications:
Neurodynamics, Pain Management
Manual Therapy, Myofascial Mobilization
Treatment of the Neck and Shoulder Complex
Vestibular Rehabilitation
Myokinesthetic System, Upper Body
Tai Chi, Chi Kung Exercise

Doug Miller, PT



Doug Miller has nearly 40 years of physical therapy experience, including 20 years of which was spent as a certified orthopedic specialist. He also previously spent time working as a physical therapist on the Senior PGA Tour.

Education:
Appalachian State University
  - Bachelor of Science in psychology, 1981
Eastern Carolina University
  - Bachelor of Science in physical therapy, 1984
Rocky Mountain University, Provo, Utah
  - Transitional Doctorate in physical therapy, 2005

Clinical Specialties/Interests/Certifications:
Titleist Performance Institute Level 1 Certification
Orthopedics
Sports Injuries

Bill Coggin, PTA



Bill Coggin made the move from Down East, N.C. to Wilkes County in 2013 and lives with his wife, Doris, and daughter, Taylor. He was a multi-sport athlete playing baseball, basketball, and soccer in high school, soccer and football in college. Bill is a retired paratrooper from the US Army. His interests include hiking, fly-fishing, water sports, and discovering new places with his family.
Bill enjoys Physical Therapy because it gives him an opportunity to help others regain the freedom of movement that he was able to following a traumatic incident in Iraq, thus enabling him to connect and empathize with an array of patients.

Education:
Surry Community College
  -Associates in Physical Therapy

Clinical Interest:
Aquatic therapy
Joint replacements
Sports injuries
Outpatient

Alexis Ortiz, PTA



Alexis Ortiz is an Ashe County native who now resides in Wilkes County with her husband, Alex, and their three dogs. In her free time Alexis likes to spend time traveling, going on hikes and walks, kayaking, going to the gym, and spending time with family and friends. Alexis has experience in skilled nursing facilities, inpatient rehab, acute care/inpatient, and outpatient settings.

Education:
Caldwell Community College
  - Associates in Applied Sciences - Physical Therapy, 2023
  - Associates in General educations

Clinical Interests:
Acute care/inpatient
Geriatrics
Balance prevention
Orthopedics
CVAs

Marc Boston, Clinical Exercise Physiologist, ACSM, CEP, EP



Marc Boston was born and grew up in Morganton, N.C. He moved to Ashe County after graduating from Appalachian State University in 2012. Marc currently lives in Jefferson along with his wife, Taryn, and two daughters, Harper and Emryn. He enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking, golfing, exercising and wood working. Marc can often be seen in the community at the Ashe County Heart Walk.

Education:
Appalachian State University
  - Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science with a concentration in Cardiac Rehab, 2011

Clinical Interest:
EKG Interpretation
Exercise Prescription
Exercise Testing
Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Disease

Alissa Hunt, Clinical Exercise Physiologist, EP-C



Alissa Hunt is an eastern North Carolina native but moved to the High Country in 2023. She now lives in Jefferson with her husband, Adam. She and her husband enjoy being active in their church together, spending time with family and friends, and running, hiking, cycling, weight lifting, and snowboarding.

Education/Certification:
North Carolina Wesleyan College
  - Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science
Certified through the American College of Sports Medicine as an Exercise Physiologist

Clinical Interests:
EKG Interpretation
Exercise Testing and Rehabilitation
Maintenance Programs post-Cardiopulmonary Rehab
Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Diseases

Tamara Bigner, OT



Tamara Bigner is originally from Denham Springs, La. She was a traveling Occupational Therapist across the United States for 12 years before deciding to make her home in North Carolina. It was the people, the beauty of the mountains and being able to experience four seasons that drew her to Ashe County. She loves coffee, art, animals, hiking, being outside in nature, traveling and gardening. Tamara enjoys Occupational Therapy because it is rewarding to help people return to independence and to help improve their quality of life.

Education:
Southeastern Louisiana State University
  -Bachelor of Science, 2000
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center
  -Masters of Occupational Therapy, 2004

Interests/Specialties:
CVA
Orthopedics, upper extremity
Geriatrics
Acute Care/Inpatient
Home Accessibility Recommendations
Energy Conservation and Breathing techniques

Kate Brosell, OTR/L



Kate Brosell moved to Ashe County from Wilmington, NC in June 2020. She lives in Jefferson with her husband, Eric, and their two children. Outside of work, Kate enjoys spending time outside, especially on or near the water, traveling with her family, music, and learning new art forms. She enjoys occupational therapy because she can help others participate in the activities that bring joy and meaning to their life.

Education:
University of North Carolina at Wilmington
  -Bachelor of Science, 2004
University of New England Portland Campus for the Health Sciences
  -Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy, 2013

Clinical Interests:
Pediatrics
Developmental Disorders
Sensory Processing
Acute Care/Inpatient
CVA
Assistive Technology

Hannah Copeland Osborne, M.S. CCC-SLP



Hannah Copeland Osborne is a Watauga County native, who now lives in Todd, with her husband Seth, their daughters, Emery and Beckett, dogs, and horses. She spends as much time outdoors as she can with her family. They enjoy riding horses, water recreation, especially kayaking, and love to ski and play in the snow. Hannah is a lifelong equestrian that competed in USPC, 4H, and in the open division of IHSA during her undergraduate career at Appalachian State University. When the weather cools down she is most likely to be found in her kitchen with her daughters baking for friends and family. Hannah was initially drawn to being a speech language pathologist when she was working with young children and helping them find their voice while working at Appalachian State University's Child Development Center during her undergraduate studies. However, in graduate school, she was given the opportunity to complete a practicum at a level III trauma center in southwestern Virginia and instantly knew this was the population she wanted to serve.

Education:
Appalachian State University, Boone, N.C.
  -Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders, 2012
Radford University, Radford, Va.
  -Master of Science in Communication Sciences & Disorders, 2016

Clinical Interest:
CVA
Dementia
Dysphagia
Traumatic Brain Injury
VitalStim certified provider
Geriatrics
Acute Care/Inpatient
Outpatient
Clinical educator

Ellie Keeter, M.A. CCC-SLP



Ellie Keeter grew up in South Carolina and moved to Boone in 2017. She enjoys painting, running, hiking, climbing, and spending time with her friends and family.

Education:
Appalachian State University, Boone N.C.
  -Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders
University of North Carolina: Greensboro
  -Master of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders

Clinical interests:
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)
Speech generating devices
Autism spectrum disorder
Pediatric speech and language disorders
Aphasia

Sydney Grubb, M.S., CF-SLP

A native of Ashe County, Sydney Grubb, whose mother is a special education teacher, was drawn to speech therapy in middle school after deciding that while she wanted to help those in need, she didn’t want to be limited to the classroom. Sydney enjoys spending time with her husband, Cooper Short, who is a youth pastor at Burlington Westside Fellowship, in Elon, N.C., and the rest of her family. She also enjoys cheering on the University of North Carolina basketball team with her dad.

Education:
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, N.C.
  - Bachelor's degree in Psychology with a minor in speech hearing sciences, 2021
North Carolina Central University, Durham, N.C.
  - Master's degree in communication sciences and disorders, 2023

Clinical Interest:
Pediatric Speech Therapy
Aphasia
Autism
Assisted and Alternative Communication