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 family.

FUN FACTS ABOUT TIM:

• Celebrity he hopes will do therapy at Kinetic Edge: Michael Jordan
• Favorite Music: Classic or 90’s Alternative Rock
• 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 and son Kai, 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

Matt Bohan, PT, DPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

Matt works as a physical therapist at Kinetic Edge Physical Therapy’s Ames location. His mission is to make an impact on the lives of his clients and to be a bright spot in everybody’s day. Matt is certified in dry needling.

Matt has a degree in Movement and Exercise Science from University of Northern Iowa. He earned his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from University of Iowa. Matt is originally from Marshalltown. In his free time he enjoys fishing, watching sports, and disc golfing.

FUN FACTS ABOUT MATT:

• Food he’d eat for the rest of his life: Pizza, specifically sauerkraut and Canadian bacon pizza
• Favorite Movie: Good Will Hunting
• Dream Vacation: Travel to Europe and visit Ireland and Germany

Rachael Jamison, OTD, OTR/L

Doctor of Occupational Therapy

Rachael is a pediatric occupational therapist who loves working with kids of all ages – from infants to teens. She graduated from Central College in Pella, with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She then attended Creighton University in Omaha, NE where she earned a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy.

Rachael is especially passionate about supporting emotional regulation, executive functioning, and sensory processing so children can feel more confident and successful in their everyday lives. She has extensive training in trauma-informed care and primitive reflex integration, and takes a bottom-up approach to therapy that focuses on supporting the nervous system and building strong foundational skills first. She enjoys partnering with families to create practical strategies that help children thrive at home, school, and in their communities.

Outside of work, Rachael lives in Ankeny with her husband, Chad, and their Great Pyrenees, Houston. She enjoys being outdoors, spending time with family & friends, and working on embroidery projects. She and her husband are also foster parents and enjoy connecting with other foster and adoptive families.

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

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

Malea Crimmins, OT/L

Occupational Therapist

Malea is an occupational therapist with Kinetic Edge. Malea studied Movement and Exercise Science at University of Northern Iowa. She then earned her Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy from Allen College. Her mission for working at Kinetic Edge is to empower all clients to have a positive outlook on life and to allow them to participate in more life activities and achieve their goals.

Malea is originally from Ankeny. In her free time, she enjoys being in the outdoors, shopping, and spending time with family & friends.

FUN FACTS ABOUT MALEA:

• Favorite Movie: Hannah Montana
• Bucket List Item: Sky Diving
• Dream Vacation: Staying in a bungalow in Bora Bora

Rachel Johnson, LAT, ATC

Care Coordinator
Athletic Trainer

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

Rachel earned her degree in athletic training from the University of Northern Iowa. Rachel was born and raised in Ames. She continues to reside in Ames with her husband, Ben, and 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

Mallory Pierce, COTA

Occupational Therapy Assistant

Mallory serves as an occupational therapy assistant at the Des Moines and Ames West locations. Her mission is to be a resource for children and families that will help guide them to reach their full potential and achieve their goals.

Mallory earned a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Iowa State University and an Occupational Therapy Assistant degree from Indian Hills. In her free time, she enjoys running, reading and being outdoors. Mallory is originally from Adel and now lives in West Des Moines.

FUN FACTS ABOUT MALLORY:

• Dream Vacation: Visit Ireland
• Favorite Movie: A Walk to Remember
• Bucket List Item: Run a marathon

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 four grandchildren. 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