Ames West

Tim Vander Wilt, PT

Clinic Manager

Physical Therapist

Tim Vander Wilt serves as a physical therapist for Kinetic Edge Physical Therapy, as well as the Ames clinic manager. He is also certified in dry needling. His mission at Kinetic Edge is to help people to return to the things they love without difficulty.

Tim graduated from Central College with a degree in Exercise Science before earning his master’s of science in physical therapy from Des Moines University. Tim and his wife, Laura, live in Ames with their four children.

FUN FACTS ABOUT TIM:

• Celebrity he hopes will do therapy at Kinetic Edge: Michael Jordan
• Favorite band: For King & Country
• Hobbies: Golf, watching sports, fishing, and spending time with his family

Kora Skarshaug, PT, DPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

Kora serves as a physical therapist for Kinetic Edge in Ames. Her mission is to provide high quality care by educating, empowering, and motivating her clients to improve their health and quality of life.

Kora earned a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science, with a minor in Psychology, from Central College. She earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Iowa. Kora is originally from Newton, Iowa. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her husband Matt, reading, and spending time with friends and family.

FUN FACTS ABOUT KORA:

• Bucket List Item: Traveling to all 7 continents
• Her favorite movie: Finding Nemo
• Food she could eat for the rest of her life: dark chocolate

Kylie Smerchek, PT, DPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

Kylie Smerchek serves as a physical therapist for Kinetic Edge in Ames. Her mission is to provide education and physical therapy treatment to improve clients’ quality of life so they can return to the activities they love.

Kylie earned a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Northern Iowa, as well as a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Des Moines University. Kylie is originally from Guthrie Center, Iowa, and now lives in Ames with her husband Dathan and their two dogs. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors, baking, trying new restaurants, and DIY projects.

FUN FACTS ABOUT KYLIE:

• Dream Vacation: Hawaii
• Bucket List Item: Travel to all 50 states
• Food she’d eat for the rest of her life, if she could only choose one: ice cream

Aimee Keller, PT, DPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

Aimee Keller serves as a physical therapist for Kinetic Edge. Her mission is to promote health and wellness in order to allow her clients to return to doing the things they love.

Aimee earned her Bachelor’s degree in biology from Iowa State University. She attended Des Moines University to earn her Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Aimee has undergone training for pelvic floor physical therapy and enjoys treating pregnant and post-partum clients. She also enjoys working with dancers, cheerleaders, and gymnasts. Aimee is originally from Whittemore, Iowa. She and her husband, Brandon, their two sons, dog and cat, live in Ames.  In her free time, she enjoys being involved with local dance studios and teams, walking, riding motorcycles with her husband, cheering on the Iowa State Cyclones at football and basketball games, and trying out new restaurants, breweries, and wineries.

FUN FACTS ABOUT AIMEE:

• Food she could eat for the rest of her life: Casey’s taco pizza
• Celebrity she hopes will do therapy at Kinetic Edge: Isabella Boylston (principal ballerina at American Ballet Theatre) – “I am a former ballerina (definitely not professional) but love all there is about ballet and dance!”
• Something on her bucket list: Travel to Alaska

Andy Koester, PT, DPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

Andy works as a physical therapist at Kinetic Edge Physical Therapy’s Ames location. Prior to his time at Kinetic Edge, Andy worked in a variety of settings including orthopedics, sports medicine, and concussion management. His KE mission is to give trusted, meaningful and personal care to all the clients we serve.

Andy earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Wartburg College and his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from St. Ambrose University. Andy enjoys fishing, attending Iowa State sporting events, coaching youth sports, and camping with his wife and two kids.

FUN FACTS ABOUT ANDY:

• Dream Vacation: Explore Alaska
• Something on his bucket list: Attend a football game at every Big 12 Stadium
• Favorite Movie: Field of Dreams

Rachael Barnette, OTD, OTR/L

Doctor of Occupational Therapy

Rachael is an occupational therapist at our Ames location. She completed many hours of observations, volunteering, and clinical rotations with the Kinetic Edge OT department prior to joining the team in June of 2021. She graduated from Central College in Pella, IA in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She then attended Creighton University in Omaha, NE where she earned a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy. Rachael has a passion for pediatric mental health and her mission for working at Kinetic Edge is to empower children and families to reach their full potential and successfully engage with the world around them. 

Rachael is originally from Johnsburg, IL and currently lives in Grimes, IA with her Great Pyrenees, Houston. She enjoys spending time with family & friends, being on the lake, attending sporting events, and longs walks with her dog.

FUN FACTS ABOUT RACHAEL:

• Dream Vacation: Torres del Paine National Park in Chile/Argentina
• Something on her bucket list: Attend the summer Olympics
• Favorite Singers: Chris Young & Maren Morris

Rachel Rumelhart, OTD, OTR/L

Doctor of Occupational Therapy

Rachel is as an occupational therapist at our Ames location. Rachel’s mission is to better those around her in her community. She hopes to make strong, lasting connections with her clients and her team. Rachel also hopes to continue to grow in her professional skills and knowledge, as well as continue to develop herself as an OT. Rachel earned her bachelor’s degrees in Biology and Psychology from Northwest Missouri State University and her Doctor of Occupational Therapy from Rockhurst University in Kansas City.

Rachel is originally from Guthrie Center. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking, exercising, and spending time with friends and family.

FUN FACTS ABOUT RACHEL:

• Favorite Movie: The Intern
• Dream Vacation: Maui
• Favorite Artist: Taylor Swift

Jessie Curry, OTD, OTR/L

Doctor of Occupational Therapy

Jessie is an occupational therapist at our Ames location. Her mission is to make a positive impact on the children and families we serve, as well as ensure that she is an effective team member that others can always count on. Jessie earned her Doctor of Occupational Therapy through Drake University after graduating from Iowa State University with bachelor degrees in Kinesiology and Health.

Jessie is originally from West Des Moines. She enjoys family time at the lake, reading, and going on walks with her dogs.

FUN FACTS ABOUT JESSIE:

• Favorite Color: Blue
• Something on her bucket list: Going to a new country
• Favorite Movie: How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days

Rachel Johnson, LAT, ATC

Care Coordinator
Athletic Trainer

Rachel serves as care coordinator in Ames. She also provides athletic training services to clients. Rachel’s mission is to help and encourage people on their path to physical well-being.

Rachel earned her Bachelor’s degree in athletic training from the University of Northern Iowa. She spent over seven years working as an athletic trainer to area schools with McFarland Clinic. Rachel and her husband, Ben, reside in Ames with their two daughters, Reese and Kendall.

FUN FACTS ABOUT RACHEL:

• Food she’d eat for the rest of her life: Chips and salsa
• Her favorite movie: Harry Potter
• Actress she’d pick to play her life: Amy Jo Johnson, the original pink power ranger because she’s been told many times she looks like her!

Alannah Dittmer, COTA/L

Occupational Therapy Assistant

Alannah serves as an occupational therapy assistant at the Ames location. Her mission is to make a positive impact on people’s lives and help them achieve their goals.

Alannah earned an Occupational Therapy Assistant degree from Indian Hills. In her free time she enjoys working out, loves cats, and watching football. Alannah is originally from Milo.

FUN FACTS ABOUT ALANNAH:

• Dream Vacation: Virgin Islands
• Favorite Movie: The Longest Ride
• Bucket List Item: Visit another country

Vicki Baker

Care Coordinator

Vicki Baker is a care coordinator at our Ames location. She answers the phones, welcomes clients into the office, helps with your questions, schedules appointments, and pitches in with whatever else is needed! Vicki wants to make sure clients feel welcomed and that they are treated like family.

Vicki and her husband live in Huxley. They have two kids and one grandkid. She enjoys spending time with her family, biking, reading, and watching sports.

FUN FACTS ABOUT VICKI:

• Dream Vacation: Sitting by the ocean with her husband
• Favorite Movie: Grease
• Something on her Bucket List: See Niagara Falls