Winthrop Physical Therapy - Methow Valley, WA

Our Team

Peter Dickinson, MS,PT,SCS Physical Therapist Pete’s specialty is obtaining cutting edge therapy techniques to help each patient reach their goals and return to activity as quickly as possible. He is a board-certified specialist in sport, with a Masters degree in Physical Therapy. Pete’s effective approach to care led him to serve as Physical Therapist to the US Ski Team. He continues to supervise coaching programs for elite athletes and also finds time to serve as a coach of the Methow Valley Nordic Team. As an avid road and mountain bike rider, alpine and Nordic skier, Pete “walks the talk” and still manages to dote on his wife and two children without skipping a beat.
Lisa Sawyer, PT Physical Therapist Lisa hails from Belfast, Northern Ireland by way of Australia, New Zealand, Kenya and England. We’d like to think, however, that her roots are planted right here in the Methow Valley, because she’s definitely a keeper! In her ten years as a Physical Therapist, Lisa has trained in all therapeutic disciplines including neurology, pediatrics, respiratory and musculoskeletal rehabilitation. She specializes in manual therapy of the spine. Lisa’s personal love of sport, and training in sports injuries, makes her a welcome addition to our team.
Colleen Ryan, DPT Physical Therapist Colleen is the newest edition to our physical therapy team. She grew up in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho and graduated from the University of Montana with a BS in Exercise Science. She went on to receive her doctorate in Physical Therapy and practiced in the Seattle area until her recent move to the Methow Valley. A natural athlete whose interests include “any outdoor fun”, Colleen loves bike riding, trail running, backpacking and skiing. Most recently she added the title of Spin Instructor to her ever expanding job description. Colleen’s future goals include becoming a better nordic skier and learning to telemark.
Janice Dickinson, MA Business Manager Janice is the woman behind the scenes. With a Bachelor of Arts in Business and a Masters in Family Therapy, Janice has the perfect combination of skills to keep all of us in line! In the spring Janice communes with the river gods in her kayak and enjoys rafting with her kids. Janice will tell you she’s a recreational athlete, but don’t believe it! Janice is a favorite ski coach among the Methow Valley Junior Team, and is also an excellent alpine skier, runner and cyclist. In fact, on a recent trip to France ,she entered a road race (just for fun) and ended up in first place in her division! (much to the chagrin of her French competitors)
Laura McCabe Endurance Sport Coach This modest, two-time Olympian in Nordic Skiing has won practically every Nordic ski race there is to win in North America, including the prestigious American Birkebeiner. Her experience as an elite athlete also makes her a superb coach to both junior and masters athletes.
Carol Heitman Personal Trainer & Spin Instructor Carol is a certified Personal Trainer through the American College of Sports Medicine. Her humor serves the dual purpose of keeping the staff entertained and our patients motivated. Carol has a way of making exercise (even rehab exercise) fun for everybody. When not working for Winthrop Physical Therapy, she and husband Phil co-own and manage the Rendezvous Huts and raise two children. When not working two jobs, being a wife and mom or volunteering in the schools, (whew!) Carol manages to squeeze in a workout or two and excels in running, cycling and Nordic Skiing. She may be hard to spot out on the trails though, unless you’re fast enough to keep up with her!
Monika Courtney Bookkeeper Monika is our bookkeeper and is responsible (along with Janice) for keeping our entire operation glued together. We love her for many reasons, not the least of which is that she writes the checks. Monika was born and raised in Germany, but it’s impossible to imagine that English is actually her second language. She is our resident grammar expert, proofreader, and syntax sleuth. Not all of Monika’s skills are academic, however. A former gymnast, Monika excels at Alpine skiing and tennis, and has since added Nordic skiing to her repertoire. Monika and her husband Robert live in the house they built to go with Monika's impressive garden!
Margaret Waechter, Certified Exercise Specialist, ACSM Athlete Testing Services Margaret has her Masters degree in Exercise Physiology and is an ACSM board-certified Exercise Specialist. She conducts our athlete testing program and coaches endurance athletes at both the junior and masters level. No stranger to elite sport herself, Margaret is a former Canadian National Ski Team member, and World Masters Nordic Games medalist. Hailing from British Columbia, Margaret moved to the U.S. when she met and married her American husband, Mark.
Melanie Whittaker, RYT Yoga Director Melanie has been practicing yoga for over 25 years. She teaches Iyengar yoga and holds the Yoga Alliance Certification of 200 hours. Melanie has a special gift for teaching yoga to diverse groups of people from athletes to beginners. Having returned to teaching after a year and a half struggle with breast cancer, Melanie credits yoga with helping her through the illness and recovery process. While recovering from radiation and chemotherapy treatment, Melanie developed rheumatoid arthritis, a condition which has affirmed her resolve to bring yoga to others suffering from this and similar ailments. Her presence as Director of our yoga program is an inspiration to us all.
Tedra Acheson Clinical Assistant Tedra and her husband Dave have lived in the Methow Valley for nearly 10 years, almost qualifying as a local by some definitions! Both avid Tour de France followers, they traveled to France last year to follow the tour and cheer Lance Armstrong to his sixth tour victory. Tedra graduated from Central University with a bachelor’s in Fitness and Sport Management, and completed an internship in cardiac rehab and physical therapy. Tedra adds a diverse set of interests to our staff as a dance instructor in jazz and tap at the LFW School of Dance.
Chris Garner Yoga Instructor Chris Garner began practicing yoga 30 years ago, primarily in the Inyengar tradition. After moving to the Methow Valley, she began an apprenticeship with Winthrop Fitness Yoga Director, Melanie Whitaker, a Certified Iyengar instructor. Chris has also taken several teacher training courses and studied under renown Yoga guru Aadil Palkivala. As an instructor, Chris fosters the belief that flexibility and body awareness are important at any age, and that the practice of Yoga will enhance life not only on a physical level, but mentally and spiritually as well.
Lindsay Picolet Pilates Instructor A fitness instructor for over 25 years, Lindsay has trained athletes in all forms of movement, from professional bodybuilders to ballet dancers at the New York City Ballet. Lindsay is a certified Pilates instructor, and has acquired over 500 studio hours of practice including extensive experience with both mat and Pilates equipment. Initially trained in the traditional Pilates method pioneered by the late Joseph Pilates, Lindsay has travelled from New York to London to evolve and vary her teaching methods. Her innovative style and challenging mat workouts draw a loyal following at Winthrop Fitness.
Karla Segale Pilates Instructor, Personal Trainer Karla has competed nationally and internationally in endurance sports for over 25 years. She was first introduced to Pilates while recovering from a sports injury, and was inspired to pursue instructor training as a means of helping others to recover. Karla is a certified Pilates instructor in the Stott method for both mat and Pilates-based exercise equipment. Developed in conjunction with a team of physical therapists and sports medicine professionals, Karla’s training uses elements of traditional Pilates combined with rehabilitative exercise to develop core strength, body awareness and improved postural alignment. Karla is also a Certified Personal Trainer through the American College of Sports Medicine.
Lottie Eckblad Clinical Assistant Lottie grew up in Southern Vermont spending lots of time both Alpine and Nordic skiing. She has worked as a Sherpa guide for youth outreach programs on both the East and West Coasts, and enjoys spending time in the outdoors with her family. Lottie enjoys hiking, gardening and skiing in the winter. She also coaches for the Methow Junior Nordic ski team, where her three daughters compete and figure prominently on the team.
Midge Cross Personal Trainer In addition to her personal training certification, Midge also holds a BA degree in English and a Masters in Business Administration. As a business consultant, her work focused on team building, goal setting, communication and interpersonal relations. Her specialty is helping people transition through life changes. As a breast cancer survivor and insulin-dependent diabetic, Midge knows a thing or two about life changes. An experienced athlete and coach specializing in running, cycling, cross country skiing and climbing, Midge has climbed Mt. Everest as part of an elite, all-woman team, skied across Finland, hiked the Alps’ Haute Route and continues to climb around the world.
Shannon Cramer Front Desk Receptionist Shannon loves people. If you’re having a bad day, just stop by, feel the love, and your worries will be over. Having married a native of the Methow, she now claims half the valley as family. The other half, she’s adopted. Beyond her extraordinary people skills, Shannon spent 36 years in the medical field as a technician and receptionist. A natural born caregiver, she divides her time between nurturing the entire Methow Valley, her seven children and five (going on six) grandchildren. She also enjoys hunting, fishing, camping, hiking and snow shoeing.
Jim Erickson Personal Trainer, Spin Instructor Having taught high school and college mathematics for 34 years makes Jim uniquely qualified as a fitness instructor. He has a gift for making learning fun. Add to that a lifelong love of sport, and you have the perfect combination! Jim received his Personal Trainer certification from the National Association of Sports Medicine. His athletic interests are as broad as his teaching credentials - ranging from endurance cycling to Nordic skiing, (he was crazy enough to ski across Finland) distance running, triathlons, backcountry skiing and mountain climbing. In his spare time he volunteers as a math tutor to kids in the valley.
Lori Loomis Clinical Assistant Lori is an experienced Clinical Assistant, having worked at Apple Physical Therapy for over 12 years before moving to the Methow Valley. In addition to her job at Winthrop Physical Therapy, Lori is also well-known (and loved by coffee enthusiasts) as co-owner of Backcountry Coffee Roasters. When she’s not assisting to the needs of our patients or helping her husband Bob roast the WORLD’s best coffee, Lori spends her spare time recreating in the outdoors (list too long to mention) or pursuing her hobbies: black and white photography, glass mosaics and writing. In fact, Lori is currently looking for a publisher for her first novel and is planning a second.