Meet Our Team
Occupational Therapy
Kristie Middendorf, MS, OTR/L, BCP - Kristie received a Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy from Washington University in St. Louis. She is a senior therapist and has been practicing at Witwer since 1995. Kristie received her Board Certification in Pediatrics from the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) in 2007. She also serves on the review board for the AOTA Board and Specialty Certification. This board reviews the applications of Occupational Therapists seeking specialty certification in Pediatrics. Kristie holds certifications in NOMAS (Neonatal Oral-Motor Assessment Scale), Sensory Integration including the administration and interpretation of the SIPT (Sensory Integration and Praxis Test), Level 1 Competency Credentials in Sensory Processing Disorder, Integrated Listening Systems, Vital Stim Therapy and Interactive Metronome. She has completed specialized training in Therapeutic Listening, Astronaut Training, Wilbarger protocol, Toomey Approach to Feeding, administration and interpretation of videopharyngograms and dysphagia, Early Feeding Skills Assessment, and is pursuing training in the NIDCAP (Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program).
Lisa Dolphin, MS, OTR/L - Lisa received a Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy from Washington University in St. Louis. A senior therapist who has worked at Children's Therapy Center since 1998, Lisa is certified in Interactive Metronome, VitalStim therapy, and Integrated Listening Systems. Lisa has received specialized training in Therapeutic Listening, Astronaut Training, the Wilbarger protocol, the Toomey SOS Approach to Feeding, and administration and interpretation of videopharyngograms and dysphasia. Lisa is pursuing training in the NIDCAP (Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program.)
Jodie Pettinger, OTR/L - Jodie attended Creighton University's program in Occupational Therapy in Omaha, NE. She has worked as a pediatric Occupational Therapist at St. Luke's Hospital since 1993. She is certified in Interactive Metronome and Integrated Listening Systems. Jodie holds specialized instruction in Astronaut Training, the Wilbarger protocol, the Toomey Approach to Feeding, and advanced specialized training in Therapeutic Listening.
Kristi De Rycke, OTR/L - Kristi (Kris) received her bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy and psychology from St. Ambrose University. Kris is a senior therapist and is certified in Interactive Metronome. She is a registered therapist in hippotherapy with the American Hippotherapy Association (Level 1) and NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association). She has received specialized training in Therapeutic Listening, Integrated Listening Systems, NMES (neuromuscular electrical stimulation), Kinesiotaping, sensory integration, feeding difficulties, infant development, NDT (neurodevelopmental therapy), handwriting and coordination dysfunction.
Laurie Statezni, COTA/L - Laurie attended Kirkwood Community College program in Occupational Therapy Assisting. Laurie has been practicing at Witwer Children's Therapy since 2007. Laurie is certified in Interactive Metronome and Integrated Listening Systems. She has received specialized training in Therapeutic Listening and Handwriting Without Tears. Her interests include the Interactive Metronome and Sensory Integration therapy.
Tiffany Cook, MOT, OTR/L- Tiffany holds a Masters degree in Occupational Therapy from Saint Ambrose University. She has been practicing in pediatric Occupational Therapy since 2007. She is certified in Interactive Metronome and Integrated Listening Systems. She has completed specialized training in Therapeutic Listening and Astronaut Training. She is currently pursuing her certification in Sensory Integration including the administration and interpretation of the SIPT (Sensory Integration and Praxis Test).
Emily Robins, MSOT, OTR/L - Emily received a Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy from Washington University in St. Louis. She has been practicing in pediatric Occupational Therapy since 2006. Emily is certified in Interactive Metronome and Integrated Listening Systems. She has received specialized training in Therapeutic Listening, Astronaut Training, and Handwriting Without Tears. Emily is also a Level I American Hippotherapy Association therapist.
Jennifer Bohn, MOT, OTR/L - Jennifer received her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from St. Ambrose University in 2002. Prior to coming to Witwer in 2009, she was a senior therapist at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics working in inpatient/outpatient psychiatry. Jennifer is certified in Interactive Metronome and Integrated Listening Systems Therapy. She has received specialized training in Astronaut Training. Her special interests include behavioral health, Autism Spectrum Disorders, animal assisted therapy, community integration and supporting/empowering families.
Laurie Bullerman, MSOT, OTR/L- Laurie received a Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy from Western Michigan University. She has been practicing in pediatric Occupational Therapy since 2010. Laurie is certified in Integrated Listening Systems.
Physical Therapy
Sharon Hill, PT, MA - Sharon holds a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Kansas, and a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Special Education from the University of Iowa. She has been practicing in pediatric physical therapy since 1969. She holds additional certifications in Level I NIDCAP (Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program), Prechtl's Qualitative Assessment of General Movements, NOMAS (Neonatal Oral Motor Assessment Scale), Integrated Listening Systems, and Interactive Metronome. Sharon was one of the founders of Witwer Children's Therapy Center and serves as supervisor.
Rosie Santoiemma-Klopping, PT, MPT - Rosie holds a Master's Degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Iowa. She has been practicing pediatric physical therapy since 1996 at Witwer Children's Therapy Center. She received her NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association) registration to practice hippotherapy in 2001. She is certified in Interactive Metronome and Integrated Listening Systems. Rosie has received specialized training in serial casting and working with children with Cortical Visual Impairments.
Barb Kaufman, PT, MPT - Barb received her master’s of Physical Therapy from the University of Iowa in 1993. She has worked in pediatrics for her entire career. After 16 years of practice, she joined the staff at Witwer Children’s Therapy Center in October 2009. She received certification in Level I NIDCAP training and enjoys treatment/follow up care with infants from the NICU. She is experienced in working with children of all ages and varying diagnoses.
Keri Balster, PT, DPT - Keri holds a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training and a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Clarke College. She has been practicing at Witwer Children's Therapy since 2007. She is certified in Interactive Metronome and Integrated Listening Systems. She is a Level I American Hippotherapy Association therapist.
Sarah Bengtson, PT, DPT – Sarah received a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Iowa in 2007. She has previous experience in acute hospital and inpatient rehabilitation care and began practicing pediatric physical therapy in 2009. She has specialized training in edema management, NDT treatment techniques for adults and children with hemiplegia, Interactive Metronome and Integrated Listening Systems.
Kelly Grimes, PT, DPT- Kelly holds a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Clarke College. She began practicing at Witwer Children's Therapy Center in 2010. She is very excited to be working in pediatrics and to be at such a great facility. Kelly is certified in Interactive Listening Systems.
Speech Therapy
Lynde Boettcher, MA, CCC-SLP-L - Lynde completed her Bachelor's Degree in Psychobiology and English at Luther College in Decorah Iowa and a Master's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Iowa. Lynde joined the St. Luke's staff in March of 2001. As a Senior Speech-Language Pathologist at Witwer Children's Therapy Center, she enjoys working in early childhood intervention, including augmentative/alternative communication technology, apraxia, feeding and swallowing issues, and children with cleft lip and palate. Lynde has received certification and/or specialized training in administration and interpretation of videopharyngograms and dysphagia, Wilbarger protocol, Therapeutic Listening, Beckman Oral Motor Assessment and Intervention, and Interactive Metronome, Integrated Listening Systems and the Kaufman Speech to Language Protocol (K-SLp).
Sue Klopfenstein, MA, CCC-SLP-L - Sue completed her Master's Degree at the University of Iowa in Speech Pathology, and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Mankato State University in Communication Disorders. Sue continued post graduate studies at the University of Minnesota in the area of teaching hard of hearing children. Further she pursued additional doctoral studies and research at the University of Iowa in the area of child language development and disorders. Sue joined the St. Luke's staff in 1988 after working as an itinerant speech therapist in the Minnesota Public school system for several years. As a Senior Speech Pathologist at Witwer Children's Therapy, she is passionate about meeting the communication needs of all children, especially those with hearing impairments, language delays, child hood apraxia, fluency and voice issues. Sue is a certified SKI*HI parent trainer for hearing impaired infants and toddlers, a Level I American Hippotherapy Association therapist and holds additional certificates in Integrated Listening Systems and Interactive Metronome.
Laurie Rummells, MA, CCC-SLP-L - Laurie received a Bachelor's degree in Communicative Disorders and Masters Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from University of Northern Iowa. Laurie has been practicing at Witwer Children's Therapy since June of 2003. Laurie has certification in Interactive Metronome and Integrated Listening Systems. Laurie's interests include early childhood intervention, apraxia, and augmentative communication.
Josslyn Cook, MA, CCC-SLP-L- Josslyn received a Bachelor of Arts in Speech and Hearing Sciences from the University of Iowa and her Masters of Arts in Speech- Language Pathology, with a specialty in pediatrics, from University of Northern Iowa. Josslyn has been practicing at Witwer since 2007. Josslyn holds certifications in Interactive Metronome and Integrated Listening Systems. Josslyn's interests include early childhood intervention and apraxia.
Emily Olson, MS, CCC/SLP-L. - Emily completed her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Communication Disorders from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Before joining the Witwer Children’s Therapy staff in April 2010, Emily spent seven years as a Speech Language Pathologist working with toddlers in their homes. She holds certifications in Interactive Metronome, Integrated Listening Systems, and SKI*HI’s program for toddler’s with visual impairments. Emily will be working as Witwer’s Care Coordinator, assisting therapists and families with insurance and resource issues. Special interests include helping children improve communication and feeding skills within their family routines.
Kelli Lewis, MA, CCC-SLP-L - Kelli received a Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Sciences; Communication Disorders from the University of Washington in Seattle and her Master’s in Speech- Language Pathology from the University of Iowa. Kelli has been practicing at Witwer Children’s Therapy since May of 2010. Kelli has certification in Interactive Metronome. Kelli enjoys helping children reach their communication potential especially those with autism, hearing impairments, and articulation impairments.
Andrea Dechant, MA, CCC-SLP-L - Andrea received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Northern Iowa and her Master of Arts in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Andrea has been practicing at Witwer since 2010. Andrea’s interests include early childhood intervention and fluency.
