Exceptional Physical Therapy in Ames, IA

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’d eat for the rest of her life, if she could only choose one: 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

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

Claire Schaefer, OTR/L

Occupational Therapist

Claire is an occupational therapist with Kinetic Edge. Claire graduated from Northwest Missouri State with a bachelor’s of science degree in Therapeutic Recreation. She earned her Masters in Occupational Therapy from Allen College. Her mission for working at Kinetic Edge is to help clients live their fullest and best life. Claire lives in Des Moines with her husband. In her free time she enjoys biking, tennis, pickleball, and spending time with family and friends.

FUN FACTS ABOUT CLAIRE:

• Bucket List: Travel to all the National Parks
• Favorite Movie: Baby Driver
• One food she could eat the rest of her life: Burger with no bun and pickles, roasted vegetables & chocolate

Stephanie Lursen, COTA/L

Occupational Therapy Assistant

Stephanie serves as an occupational therapy assistant at the Ames location. Stephanie’s mission is to help pediatric clients at Kinetic Edge obtain skills needed to grow and excel. She enjoys helping others understand what occupational therapy is by advocating for the profession and continuously acquiring new knowledge to share with others.

Stephanie earned a degree in Biology from the University of Northern Iowa and an associate’s degree from Hawkeye in the occupational therapy assistant program. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, crafting, & spending time with her Mini Bernedoodle dog (Gracie Lynne). Stephanie is originally from Allison, IA.

FUN FACTS ABOUT STEPHANIE:

• Dream Vacation: Spending a week in Ireland
• Fun Fact: She is an EMT, and was a volunteer EMT in her hometown for 2 years.
• Favorite Movie: Wonder

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!

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