Deb Schield, PTA

Industrial Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy

Clinic: Edina

Education: BS Physical Education and Coaching, North Dakota State University; Associate of Applied Science degree from Saint Catherine University

Joined Saunders: 2016

Deb Schield, PTA

Deb joined Saunders Therapy Centers in 2016. She received her Associate of Applied Science degree for Physical Therapist Assistant from Saint Catherine University in 2015 . Prior to joining Saunders, Deb worked in several clinics, expanding her experience and knowledge in industrial rehabilitation and acute/sub acute orthopedics. Deb’s background before becoming a PTA includes a Bachelors of Science degree in Physical Education and Coaching from North Dakota State University, certification in Personal Fitness Training from the American College of Sports Medicine, ACE and IDEA, and Masters work in Exercise Physiology from Michigan State University.

Deb’s enthusiasm, advocacy and strong patient care skills make her an essential part of the Saunders Therapy Centers’ Edina team. When she is not working, Deb enjoys traveling, trail biking, paddle boarding and healthy food adventures in the Twin Cities.

Becky Park, OTR/L

Industrial Rehabilitation

Education: BA Occupational Therapy, College of St. Catherine

Joined Saunders: 2017

Becky Park, OTR/L

Becky Park joined Saunders Therapy Centers in 2017.  She comes to us with a strong orthopedic background and over 20 years of experience in Occupational Therapy.  Becky received a BA in Occupational Therapy from the College of St. Catherine in 1997.

She has a special interest in working with clients with spinal pain and is an experienced practitioner of many manual therapy techniques, including Graston, muscle energy techniques, and myofascial release. She is particularly skilled in cognitive behavioral techniques, ergonomics, and functional training. Seeing her clients reach their maximum potential is why she loves her job. 

Becky and her husband have two boys.  They enjoy hockey, lacrosse, camping, and traveling.  

Jason Hokkanen, COTA/L

Industrial Rehabilitation

Clinic: Edina

Education: BS, Communication – University of Northwestern, St. Paul, 2008. Occupational Therapist Assistant – Anoka Technical College in 2016

Joined Saunders: 2016

Jason Hokkanen, COTA/L

Jason joined Saunders Therapy Centers in July, 2016.  He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Communication from University of Northwestern- St. Paul in 2008.  He received his Associate of Applied Science Degree Occupational Therapy Assistant from Anoka Technical College in May, 2016.  

Before working at Saunders, Jason had work experience in residential care, manufacturing, postal service, property management, and more.  His life experience brings a deeper level of knowledge and understanding to his industrial rehabilitation clients.  Jason pushes clients to achieve their best with humor, warmth, and creative job simulation ideas for complex job requirements.  

Tyler Zajic, PTA

General Orthopedics, Industrial Rehabilitation

Clinic: St. Paul

Education: AAS in Physical Therapy Assisting from Tulsa Community College in 2005

Joined Saunders: 2006

Tyler Zajic, PTA

Tyler received his AAS Degree in Physical Therapy Assisting from Tulsa Community College in Oklahoma in 2005. He is also a national NETA certified personal trainer. Tyler is knowledgeable in injury prevention and musculoskeletal rehabilitation, with emphasis on orthopedic therapy. He plays an integral role in instructing clients how to maximize their functional development.

John Schweiss, OTR/L

Hand Therapy, Industrial Rehabilitation

Clinic: St. Paul

Education: Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy in 1997 from Western Michigan University

Joined Saunders: 2014

John Schweiss, OTR/L

John Schweiss has worked primarily in industrial rehabilitation, performing FCEs, work conditioning and job analysis. He has consulted with a variety of industries to implement injury prevention programs and facilitate safe return to work for injured employees. John developed a self assessment for office workers to adjust their work stations and address their musculoskeletal problems.

He has a strong background and interest in working with orthopedic upper extremity problems. He taught clinical reasoning for the occupational therapy program and provided clinical instruction for OT students at Jefferson College of Health Sciences in Roanoke, VA. Outside of work John enjoys time with his family, camping, hiking, fishing and exploring places where there is no cell phone service.

Robin Saunders Ryan, PT, MS, MBA

Administration, Industrial Rehabilitation

Clinic: Edina

Education: MS Physical Therapy from University of Indianapolis, 1986; MBA from St. Thomas University in 2005.

Joined Saunders: 1989

Robin Saunders Ryan, PT, MS, MBA

Robin is the owner of Saunders Therapy Centers and the original developer of its Work Hardening and Functional Capacity Evaluations. She has authored and contributed to many well known works, including Managing Low Back Pain, 3rd Edition, edited by Dr. William Kirkaldy-Willis and Dr. Charles Burton, (Churchill-Livingston 1992); Work Injury, edited by Susan Isernhagen (Aspen 1994); and Work Hardening, State of the Art, edited by Linda Ogden-Niemeyer (Slack 1991). She edited and coauthored the 4^th edition of Evaluation, Treatment and Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders, Part I: The Spine (The Saunders Group, Inc.)

She is the author of three books on worker rehabilitation: Industrial Rehabilitation—Techniques for Success, Functional Capacity Evaluation—The Saunders Method, and Back Pain and Activity—Striking the Right Balance. Additionally, she has co-authored two research papers on industrial rehabilitation and functional capacity evaluations, both published in Physical Therapy Journal, and is the author of several other articles in various publications.

Robin loves spending time with her husband and three adult daughters, traveling to warm places in the winter, and is constantly trying to improve her tennis game.

Carlyn Gilmore, OTR

Industrial Rehabilitation

Clinic: Edina

Education: Nursing degree, Hesston College 1977; BA in Occupational Therapy from College of St. Catherine in 1996

Joined Saunders: 2005

Carlyn Gilmore, OTR/L

Carlyn joined Saunders Therapy Centers in 2005 after having worked as a surgical nurse in Indiana for a number of years, then beginning her second career in occupational therapy in 1996. She has obtained her nursing degree from Hesston College, and her BA in Occupational Therapy from the College of St. Catherine.

Carlyn has focused exclusively on industrial rehabilitation for more than 15 years. She is one of our most experienced clinicians. Compassion and a practical approach to solving problems are her greatest strengths.

When Carlyn is not assisting injured workers achieve their maximum potential, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, and is an avid bird watcher, having cataloged over 280 species in her travels.

Amy Molzen Stuke, PT, FAAOMPT

Back and Neck Pain, General Orthopedics, Headache Treatment, Incontinence Treatment, Men’s Health, Myofascial, Craniosacral and Visceral Treatment,  Sports Medicine,  Women’s Health

Clinic: Edina

Education: Bachelors of Science in Physical Therapy and Psychology from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse in 1993.

Joined Saunders: 1995

Amy Molzen Stuke, PT, FAAOMPT

Amy is a specialist in manual therapy, with a Certification in Orthopedic Medicine for the spine and extremities from the International Academy of Orthopedic Medicine (IAOM), a Masters in Orthopedic Manual Therapy from the IAOM, and is fellowship trained in orthopedic manual therapy (FAAOMPT). She is considered an expert in orthopedic evaluation and treatment and has taught manual therapy courses around the country on differential diagnosis of musculoskeletal afflictions.

Amy also has post graduate training in myofascial release from John Barnes, visceral and neural manipulation from the Barrel Institute, incontinence and pelvic pain therapy from Janet Hulme and Herman/Wallace, energy healing from the INEH, and spinal stabilization from Gwen Jull and IAOM.

Amy brings an eclectic and intuitive approach to physical therapy that extends beyond traditional orthopedic care.

Larry Quinn, PTA

General Orthopedics, Industrial Rehabilitation

Clinic: Edina

Education: Physical Therapist Assistant from College of St. Catherine in 1997

Joined Saunders: 2002

Larry Quinn, PTA

Larry graduated with his AAS degree for Physical Therapy Assistant from the College of St. Catherine in 1997. Prior to becoming a PTA, Larry had worked in construction and other labor intensive industries, which gives him a unique perspective and understanding when working with our industrial rehabilitation clients.

Before joining Saunders Therapy Centers, he developed low back strengthening programs for Northwest Airlines employees. Larry has been an integral team member at both the Edina and Maple Grove locations, and currently assists Becky Park and Cathy Piela in Maple Grove. He combines his unique work experience with his strong exercise and body mechanics background to help clients maximize their function and reach their goals.

Cathy Piela, OTR/L

Industrial Rehabilitation

Clinic: Maple Grove

Education: BA in Occupational Therapy from College of St. Catherine 1983

Joined Saunders: 1996

Cathy Piela, OTR/L

Cathy has been with Saunders Therapy Centers for over 20 years. She obtained her BA in Occupational Therapy from College of St. Catherine in 1983. Before joining Saunders, Cathy had a variety of experiences in industrial rehabilitation including work hardening/conditioning, functional assessment, return to work consultation and ergonomic job analysis. She has been a faculty member and trainer for Polinsky Assessments, a C.A.R.F. surveyor and a senior therapist with Sister Kenny Institute’s industrial rehab program.

Cathy co-authored the textbook Functional Capacity Evaluation – The Saunders Method with Saunders Therapy Centers’ owner Robin Saunders Ryan. She has taught national seminars on industrial rehabilitation for The Saunders Group and other organizations.