Eric Horstman

Eric’s life-long participation in baseball led to his passion for treating athletes and reducing youth injury rates, especially in overhead athletes. As a former player at Southeast Missouri State his passion involves treating athletic injuries within all sports while combining various research-based treatment strategies. His extensive knowledge in biomechanics and movement impairments delivers unmatched performance and […]

Read more

Taylor Cech

Taylor is a Physical Therapist and Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist. Taylor has a passion for the post-surgical treatment of the sports medicine patient. Taylor has a passion for collaborating research and patient care. While focusing on the knee and lower extremity, she works alongside OrthoNebraska physicians to foster extraordinary care to athletes and active […]

Read more

Dominic Ilardi

A United States Marine Corps veteran and residency-trained and board-certified sports physical therapist, Dom joined OrthoNebraska in 2021. Before moving to Omaha, Dom worked at Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center. He provided therapy services for OSU athletes, including care and sideline coverage for the rugby teams.

Read more

Kenny Patterson

Kenny brings extensive sports medicine experience to his role as part of OrthoNebraska’s Thrower’s Performance program. Formerly a left-handed pitcher at Murray State College and Emporia State University, Kenny has worked with countless professional, Olympic, collegiate, high school and youth athletes across all sports. Prior to joining OrthoNebraska in 2019, Kenny provided physical therapist services […]

Read more

Nicole Sova

With OrthoNebraska since 2019, Nicole is a board-certified specialist in orthopedics. Her interests include working with individuals pre/post-operatively and those with lower extremity and spine injuries. Having grown up dancing, Nicole also has an affinity for assisting dancers as a member of our Dance Performance team. Additionally, she helps runners improve their performance through her […]

Read more

Mike Lovgren

A former college pitcher, Mike continues to stay involved in the baseball community through his involvement in our Thrower’s Performance program. With OrthoNebraska since 2019, Mike uses his knowledge of biomechanics and pitching experience to evaluate throwing mechanics and to prevent injury. In addition to throwing injuries, Mike enjoys treating runners and, through his involvement […]

Read more

John Woodward

John has nearly 30 years of experience treating high school, college and professional athletes. He has additional training in vestibular rehabilitation, kinesiotaping and Functional Dry Needling (FDN). He is a board-certified specialist in orthopedic physical therapy and has been a member of the therapy team at OrthoNebraska since 2004.

Read more

Wendi Sanny

Wendi serves as a key provider of care in the treatment ACL knee injuries while working alongside OrthoNebraska physicians to foster the most up to date rehabilitation protocols for our patients. Wendi has a keen interest in research and has collaborated with UNMC on several papers. Wendi is a member of the American Society of […]

Read more

Ashley Petersen

With OrthoNebraska since 2014, Ashley has worked as a physical therapist in the acute care setting since graduating from school. Ashley enjoys evaluating, educating and treating people after joint replacement and helping them return home safely after surgery.

Read more

Angie Petersen

With OrthoNebraska since 2006, Angie focuses on the treatment of lower extremity injuries and biomechanics. In addition, she has a special interest in aquatic therapy and running injuries. A longtime runner herself, Angie enjoys helping fellow runners improve their performance through her active involvement in OrthoNebraska’s Optimum Stride running program.

Read more

Tom Niemann

Tom joined OrthoNebraska in 2006. He is a board-certified specialist in orthopedic physical therapy that helps patients recover after major hip or shoulder surgery, especially hip scopes. He brings more than two decades of experience and dedication to orthopedics to the physical therapy team at OrthoNebraska.

Read more

Janice Merritt

Since joining OrthoNebraska in 2005, Janice has enjoyed using her acute care expertise to evaluate and treat our acute patients with exceptional care. Janice builds on her extensive experience as a physical therapist to help further her care and understanding of treating patients undergoing joint replacement.

Read more

Kelly McCann

With OrthoNebraska since 2016, Kelly has extensive vestibular and balance rehabilitation experience. She also enjoys working with patients who have undergone total joint replacement procedures. Kelly developed her love for physical therapy after rehab from a soccer injury as a teenager allowed her to continue to play in college. In addition to treating patients, Kelly […]

Read more

Jenny Johnson

A collegiate softball player, Jenny began her career at OrthoNebraska in 2018. She was inspired to become a physical therapist after overcoming several knee injuries during her playing career. Now she specializes in treating the lower extremities, helping others in the same way.

Read more

Zach Girthoffer

Zach joined the physical therapy team at OrthoNebraska in 2017. He specializes in the McKenzie Method, a scientifically proven assessment process that will identify the best treatment solution for back, neck and extremity problems. In addition to treating patients, Zach is an assistant manager for therapy services.

Read more

Ryan Ertz

With OrthoNebraska since 2007, Ryan was the first fellowship-trained physical therapist in the state of Nebraska and is a board-certified clinical specialist in orthopedics. Among his specialties is a focus on Thrower’s Performance. Ryan enjoys working with pitchers, quarterbacks and other throwing athletes – from all levels of play – to decrease pain, improve performance […]

Read more

Heather Dibelka

With OrthoNebraska since 2004, Heather has extensive experience treating patients immediately following their orthopedic surgery with a strong focus on joint replacement. In addition to supporting our acute care patients, Heather serves as the Manager for Therapy Services.

Read more

Elisa Bowcott

With OrthoNebraska since 2008, Elisa is a board-certified specialist in orthopedic physical therapy and enjoys rehabbing people after joint replacement and helping runners return from injury. A runner herself, Elisa is also heavily involved in OrthoNebraska’s Optimum Stride program, which is designed to help runners improve performance.

Read more