Gail Braun, P.T. – Gail established the practice in 2001 with her partner, Karen Carlson. She has worked as a physical therapist at multiple sites in the East and West Michigan areas, though her deep roots to her community brought her back home to Ionia. Gail graduated from Grand Valley State University in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy. Her areas of expertise include manual therapy for the spine and extremities and vestibular rehabilitation. She currently is preparing to obtain certification in therapeutic Tai Chi, and further her knowledge with treatment of women’s health issues. She supports her profession as a member of the APTA and MPTA. Gail’s inspirational words and actions are a key influence to the success of their employees and the business. Personally, Gail enjoys spending time with her husband, her daughter who is an active sophomore in Ionia Public Schools, and her two sons at Grand Valley State University. She enjoys reading, gardening, walking, and hobby farming with dairy goats. Her goal is to train for a half marathon with her husband in 2012.
Karen Carlson, P.T. – Karen is a co-owner of Grand River Physical Therapy Specialists, P.C.. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Therapy from Grand Valley State University in 1985. Prior to opening GRPTS, P.C. in March of 2001, she gained experience in multiple settings including hospital inpatient and outpatient departments, an outpatient spine and orthopedic center, and home care organizations. In her years of practice she has held various positions including burn team clinical supervisor, closed head injury team coordinator, aquatic program director, spinal cord injury team leader, geriatric program director, student clinical instructor, and quality assurance coordinator. She has attended numerous continuing education courses which include McKenzie spine evaluation and treatment, myofascial release, burn and wound care, aquatic rehabilitation, and muscle energy and joint mobilization. She is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and Michigan Physical Therapy Association (MPTA). Personally, Karen enjoys spending time with her family. She is active in the Rockford community, involved with the Rockford Sports Boosters, and enjoys attending her children’s sporting events.
Julie Blodgett, P.T.—Julie graduated from Grand Valley State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1986. She has worked at multiple settings through out the West Michigan area including hospitals (inpatient and outpatient), neurological rehabilitation, outpatient orthopedics, wellness and prevention programs and pulmonary rehabilitation. Her areas of expertise include Neurological Rehab (spinal cord injury, stroke, head injury, MS) and all areas of orthopedic physical therapy, with a special interest in manual therapy (Canadian Manual Therapy, Muscle Energy, Myofascial Release Technique and Mulligan’s Technique.) Julie developed and managed a successful Pulmonary Rehab Program and has extensive experience with clients with lung disorders like COPD/emphysema. Julie has a special interest in wellness and prevention, and has served as a community educator on Osteoporosis prevention, worksite wellness, and Better Breathers Support Group. Personally, Julie enjoys spending time with her family and working on her hobby farm. She is active in Kent County as a 4-H leader and is a superintendent at the Kent County Youth fair.
Brooke Cheney, P.T. – Brooke graduated from the University of Washington in Seattle in Physical Therapy and also holds a B.S. in Physiology from the University of California, Berkeley. She has a 25 year history of working as a manual therapist in the orthopedic setting in various places in the United States. She has worked with Grand River Physical Therapy Specialists since 2006 and has proven to be an asset to the team, specializing in myofascial release, neural tension techniques, and joint mobilizations. She also uses her understanding as a caretaker of family members in her clinical skills as she shows compassion and empathy toward her patients. Spending time with family, exercising and playing guitar in the praise band at her church are other activities that Brooke enjoys. 
Lisa Davidson, P.T.—Lisa graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Science degree from the school of Literature, Science & Arts and a Certificate of Physical Therapy from the medical school. She has been in practice for over 35 years, which has allowed Lisa to embrace a variety of responsibilities. Some of these include clinical management, administration, and master clinician positions. Clinically, Lisa has a strong background in manual medicine, orthopedics, occupational medicine, long term rehabilitation and sports medicine therapy. She served many years as a clinical instructor/supervisor with physical therapy students and was a guest lecturer in the Physical Therapy Assistants program at Kellogg Community College. Lisa has had the opportunity to practice in the states of Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana and Michigan. This has helped to broaden and expand her clinical knowledge and experiences. She enjoys time spent with her family, reading, traveling and exercising.
Sandra Herron, M.S.P.T. Sandra graduated with a Masters in Physical Therapy from the University of Michigan –Flint in 1996. She has been in practice for 15 years and joined Grand River Physical Therapy in 2005. Her special area of interest is neck, headache pain and vestibular rehabilitation; however she enjoys all areas of therapy. Her continuing education opportunities include manual therapy techniques, muscle energy, myofascial release, core strengthening, along with other areas of orthopedic treatments. She is able to make treatments enjoyable and pleasant with her easy-going and gentle nature.
Christie Huhn, M.S.P.T., C.M. P. – Christie is a graduate of Grand Valley State University and has worked for Grand River Physical Therapy Specialists since 2002. She has taken a variety of continuing education courses involving treatment of knee and shoulder injuries, mechanics of the foot, manual therapy, and pediatrics. Christie has a strong interest in manual therapy and is certified in Mulligan Techniques. Christie’s experiences with past personal injuries have made her more aware of the concerns that are involved in the rehab and recovery processes. As a mother of three, Christie’s interests in pediatrics carry over into the clinic with enthusiasm and patience, treating clients as young as newborns. She acts as the Clinical Education Coordinator with numerous universities in Michigan and Illinois. She has been a clinical instructor since 2005 and is a member of the APTA as well. In addition, Christie works outside of the clinic to treat the homebound and in the schools of the Ionia County Intermediate School District to treat children with special needs. Personally, Christie enjoys spending time with her family and friends, exercising, and scrapbooking. 
Lisa Jonker, P.T. – Lisa graduated with a Bachelor in Science from Grand Valley State University. She has been in practice for 21 years and joined Grand River Physical Therapy Specialists in 2001. While enjoying all types of diagnoses, she has a special area of interest in treating orthopedic conditions. Lisa has worked as a Geriatric Program director at a previous employment and continues to appreciate working with the older adult. Continuing education opportunities have assisted her in growing her knowledge in areas of weight training for the elderly, educating the public regarding osteoporosis and remaining current on trends for treating the orthopedic patient. Lisa also enjoys encouraging others with a variety of team building opportunities within the clinic. Outside of work she enjoys exercising and spending time with her family in outdoor activities.
Kristin Weller, M.S.P.T. – Kristin graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelors degree in Health Sciences in 2002 before graduating from Grand Valley State University with a Masters degree in Physical Therapy. She has been practicing with Grand River Physical Therapy Specialists since graduation in 2005. Recently, Kristin has been taking a day out of the outpatient clinic to work with those who are homebound, working on getting these individuals functioning in the community. In the outpatient setting, Kristin enjoys treating a wide variety of diagnoses and patient populations, but has a great interest in treating the hand and the shoulder and she has been able to take continuing education courses which have focused on treatments of both areas. Outside of work, Kristin enjoys spending time with her three children and husband. back to top
Jennie Golden – Jennie is a Physical Therapy Technician and has been with Grand River Physical Therapy Specialists since 2003. She is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant that has worked with impaired adults through Transitional Care and also has a long history of working with the geriatric population. Previously, she worked for 10 years in the Home Care setting. She has taken a variety of courses including therapeutic core stabilization and strengthening. Some of her favorite areas of interest include pediatrics, geriatrics and orthopedic patients.
Kristi Vandraager – Kristi is a Physical Therapy Technician and has been working with Grand River Physical Therapy Specialists since 2006. She has a history of working as a Recreational Therapist after she graduated in 1989 from Calvin College. She has worked with the geriatric population and in an Alzheimer’s unit. Currently, she continues to enjoy working with the elderly and helping people of all ages to meet their full rehabilitation potential.
Cindy Visser – Cindy is a Physical Therapy Technician and has been with Grand River Physical Therapy since 2004. She previously worked for Lansing Community College as a Sign Language Interpreter and has worked with students with disabilities through programs with the State of Michigan. She uses these skills in the clinic when working with patients with physical challenges. Cindy’s kind nature and patience is an asset when working with the geriatric population. She is very detailed oriented and is willing to take extra time to ensure that exercises are performed correctly. Cindy has taken a variety of courses, including the strengthening of the geriatric population and therapeutic core stabilization.
Julie Nurenberg – Julie has been with Grand River Physical Therapy since 2007. She is working as a Physical Therapy Technician as well as a Receptionist. Julie also has experience working as a Certified Massage Therapist. She loves working with people and has a caring and friendly attitude. Julie has taken a course on effective techniques for total body strengthening: The physiology of strength training and program design.back to top
Lori Rittersdorf – Lori is our Receptionist and is greeting patients at the front desk. Her pleasant attitude and organizational skills are the result of her experience running a day care out of her home for 16 years. Lori has taken courses in Microsoft Word and Excel, which has made her a valuable member of the front desk team. She welcomes all questions and is available to take care of patients' scheduling needs.back to top
Cindy Treynor – Cindy is our Billing Specialist and has been working with Grand River Physical Therapy Specialists since 2003. She has an accounting degree with a certificate in billing from Montcalm Community College and has been working in the field for nearly 30 years. Cindy keeps all patients, as well as the physical therapists, up-to-date with the ever-changing insurance industry. Cindy understands that there are numerous varieties of insurance and is always there to help patients if there are ever any questions or concerns.back to top