Meet Our Alton Team Members

Steve is the owner of Alton Physical Therapy, PC. Steve purchased the clinic from his mentor, William P. Nash PT, in 2010. Alton Physical Therapy was established in 1982 and has delivered a high level of care for greater than 40 years. Steve joined the practice in 1990. Alton Physical Therapy is the most respected and established physical therapy system in the metro-east region.

Steve was born and raised in Alton, Illinois. After attending parochial schools for elementary education, he graduated from Marquette High School in 1986. He then attended St. Louis University and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Therapy in 1990. Since that time, he has continued to complete yearly continuing education courses.

Steve has over 32 years of experience as a physical therapist with an emphasis on orthopaedics. Steve is a member of the Orthopaedic, Sport, and Private Practice Sections of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), which allows him to stay current on the most recent advances in evidence-based treatment options.

Steve has been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to be mentored by high-level professionals including William Nash, PT, and his parents. His interest in therapy began with several injuries that he incurred with sports in high school.

“I have an incredibly high level of commitment to provide the patients of Alton Physical Therapy the highest level of care that is ethical and responsible. To also provide the patients and the staff an OUTSTANDING environment to excel, and to encourage everyone I come in contact with on a day-to-day basis to do as much good as they possibly can”

“Be OUTSTANDING every day, all day long.”

Stephanie Wheeler

Company Manager

Stephanie joined Alton Physical Therapy in 1998 through her job orientation class at Alton High School. She started as the file clerk and has since advanced through all positions to now be the Company Manager. She received her Administrators Certification from the APTA in 2017.

Stephanie enjoys spending time with her husband, their three sons and her granddaughter.

LeAnne Bonnell

Clinic Director / Doctor of Physical Therapy, D.P.T.

LeAnne was born and raised in Alton, IL. She received her bachelor’s of Health Sciences in 2013 from Maryville University where she went on to receive her Doctorate of Physical Therapy in December 2015. LeAnne fell in love with the staff and structure of Alton Physical Therapy during her clinical rotations. Right out of school LeAnne spent a year and a half at St. Louis University Hospital where she gained an acute insight into orthopedic, neurologic, oncologic, and other medical conditions as well as gained outpatient experience. LeAnne joined Alton Physical Therapy in June of 2017 and is now a physical therapist and the clinical director at the Alton location. Since joining Alton Physical Therapy, LeAnne has expanded her education in the Graston Technique, manipulation, dry needling, work programs and sports related therapy.

LeAnne enjoys one on one interaction with patients, helping patients reach their goals through an individualized and creative approach and providing service to others. She is completely thrilled to be working in the community where she grew up. Outside of work LeAnne enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing volleyball, and spending time outdoors.

Jessica Taul

Doctor of Physical Therapy, D.P.T.

Jessica was born and raised in the Godfrey/Alton area. She received her Bachelors of Science degree in 2017 from Millikin University in Decatur, IL and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2020 from University of Evansville in Evansville, IN. She has worked in the outpatient orthopedic setting since graduating. Physical therapy sparked Jessica’s interest when she was a patient at Alton Physical Therapy in high school after a soccer injury. Jessica continued her soccer career at Millikin.

Jessica enjoys working one on one with patients. She has a passion for sports related injuries, injury prevention, sports performance, and assisting patients in returning to the sports they love. She also has a special interest in ACL rehabilitation. She is happy to be back with Alton Physical Therapy where it all started for her. In her free time, Jessica enjoys spending time with her friends and family, especially her niece and nephews, traveling, and being active.

Mary Lehnen

Doctor of Physical Therapy, D.P.T.

Mary was raised in Bethalto, IL. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science with a double minor in Biology and Psychology from Truman State University in 2016. She received her Master of Science degree in Exercise Physiology from SIUE in 2017. Next, she received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from University of the Pacific in Stockton, CA, in September 2019. Mary began working as a Physical Therapist in the orthopedic outpatient setting in January 2020 and joined the APT team in March 2022.

Mary enjoys the quality time spent with her patients and enjoys treating all different populations with a heart for student-athletes. Her favorite thing about being a PT is connecting with her patients, and helping them get back to doing what they love. She performs Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization, and she is certified in Dry Needling and Blood Flow Restriction. Outside of being a PT, she lives in St. Louis with her husband Dan and their dog Sunny. She enjoys traveling, reading, and being active.

Sarah Siemer

Doctor of Physical Therapy, D.P.T.

Sarah was born and raised in Alton and a Marquette Catholic High School graduate. She earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2010 from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in North Chicago, Illinois. Since that time, She has been treating patients in outpatient orthopedics with a passion for vestibular rehabilitation, including dizziness, balance, and concussion, as well as the treatment of neck and low back pain. Sarah joined the Alton Physical Therapy team in October of 2022.

Sarah enjoys one on one interactions with patients, tirelessly working to help them meet their goals with highly skilled and individualized treatment programs.

Outside of work, Sarah enjoys spending time with her friends and family.

Barb Hayes, P.T

Physical Therapist

Barb received her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Physical Therapy from St Louis University in 1985. After graduation, Barb worked for the Alton Center of Sports Medicine and Physical Therapy and The Physical Rehabilitation Institute in Florissant where she gained tremendous experience working with sports related injuries. Barb had 15 years of experience at Riverbend Orthopedics as the Director of Physical Therapy.

Barb has attended numerous specialized continuing education courses emphasizing the treatment of BPPV (Begin Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo). She also enjoys treating other orthopedic conditions of the upper and lower extremities along with the spine, utilizing manual therapy techniques, including Graston Technique™, and personalized exercise prescription to achieve maximum functional return.

Lauren Hancock, P.T.A.

Assistant Clinic Director / Physical Therapist Assistant

Lauren was born, raised, and continues to reside in Bunker Hill, Illinois where she loves small town living with her husband and two children. She earned her Associates of Applied Sciences in the Physical Therapist Assistant program in May 2010, completing the program with a 4.0 GPA. Lauren excitedly joined the Alton Physical Therapy team in June 2010. After graduation, Lauren worked full time at our Alton location as well as worked as an instructor at Southwestern Illinois College in the PTA program for one year.

Lauren is now the Assistant Clinical Director where she loves assisting our staff in day to day operations with focus on preserving our unique culture that sets our company apart from others! She is the Site Coordinator of Clinical Education as well as a PTA Clinical Instructor working with all local PT and PTA colleges to schedule clinical rotations and work with students to develop their skills and enhance their learning. Lauren also takes safety seriously being the OSHA coordinator, working to keep her work family safe. Lauren loves working one on one with post-operative and orthopedic patients, helping them on their road to recovery.

Marideth Harris, P.T.A.

Physical Therapist Assistant

Maredith Harris was born and raised here in Alton. She attended Alton schools and graduated from Alton High School. She holds an Associates in Biology from LCCC and a B.S. in Organizational Leadership from Greenville College. She has worked in fitness, wellness and aquatics for more that 10 years, personal training, teaching group fitness, community health, aquatics, lifeguarding and CPR. She decided to back to school to pursue a career in Physical Therapy to further her skills and knowledge for her career in health and wellness. Maredith loved to work with people to better their health, wellness and overall well being through movement, exercise and self-improvement. She graduated from St. Louis College of Health Careers with A.S. in Physical Therapist Assistant in 2016. She worked at a chain of local nursing homes for 2 months before joining the APT team.

“I am so excited to get up everyday and get to do this job. This is a great company, I love my co-workers and I love my patients. I am thrilled to have gotten this opportunity to make an impact on the lives of so many great people in my community.”

Morgan Krapf, P.T.A.

Physical Therapist Assistant

Morgan Krapf was born and raised in Edwardsville, Illinois. She attended Edwardsville schools and graduated from Edwardsville High School as a member of the National Honor Society. She continued her education at Southwestern Illinois College, Belleville, to pursue the Physical Therapist Assistant Program. She earned her Associates of Applied Science Degree in May of 2019, finishing the program on the Dean’s List.

Morgan fell in love with Alton Physical Therapy when she performed a student clinical rotation at the Litchfield location. She has worked in the orthopedic setting since graduating and loves what she does. When Morgan is not working, she enjoys going to Blues and Cardinals games, going to Lake of the Ozarks and spending time with her friends and family.

“My main goal is to help people get better. That is the most rewarding thing about this job”.

Sumer Maupin, C.O.T.A

Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant

Sumer graduated in 2018 from Lewis and Clark Community College with an Associates of Applied Science degree- Occupational Therapy Assistant. She was led to occupational therapy by her love for older adults and her interest in pediatric patients with autism. She was able to put that passion into play when she started working for Alton Physical Therapy. Sumer loves working with patients of different age ranges and enjoys hearing each patient’s unique stories, hobbies, and interests.

She lives in Brighton, IL with her husband and her 2 dogs. In her free time, she enjoys time with family, running, being around animals, and loves being outdoors.

Janet Timmermeier

Business Manager

Janet’s Business Management career started with the inception of Alton Physical Therapy in 1982 under the ownership of Bill and Kathy Nash. APT was the first independently owned outpatient Physical Therapy clinic in the Riverbend area. In 2010 Steve Schwegel purchased the clinic from Bill Nash. She feels extremely blessed to have been mentored by three exceptional individuals.

She proudly assisted with the growth of APT throughout the years. APT currently has seven locations to provide outstanding Physical Therapy services.

In 2021 Janet proudly passed her baton to Stephanie Wheeler, Business Manager. She currently works behind the scenes on a part time basis.

She has made lifelong friends with her coworkers and is very proud of the successes of APT.

Courtney Goforth

Office Manager

Courtney was born and raised in Alton, IL. She has been a part of the Alton Physical Therapy team since 2007. She enjoys all duties of the medical business office but billing is her specialty. She enjoys the personalization that is created with patients. Courtney became office manager in 2022. She enjoys training new staff and helping her coworkers. She also enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Becky Moody

Patient Service Representative

Becky joined Alton Physical Therapy in 2007. Previous to coming on board with APT, Becky was the front desk receptionist for a local Orthopedic Physician who had retired. Prior to working in the orthopedic office, she worked in the Rehab Department of CHNE. Each of these fields of service has given Becky an insight into some of the details of the inpatient and outpatient sides of rehab care.

Becky enjoys meeting new and familiar faces and feels it a privilege to serve in the front desk position at both Hardin and Alton locations.

Becky is a mother of five grown children and currently has 13 grandchildren. She enjoys the simple things in life and the occasional trips taken with her husband, Chas.

Andrea Kuykendall

Patient Service Representative

Andrea joined Alton Physical Therapy in 2015. She graduated from Robert Morris college in 2000, where she earned her Associates Degree in Applied Science in Allied Health Information. Previous to coming on board with APT, She worked for BJC Medical Group in Primary Care for the past 3 years. Prior to working in Primary Care she worked in Oncology for 8 years. She has acquired several aspects in the medical field which has included Coding, Billing, Patient Care Tech, Lead Patient Service Representative to her current position at APT.

Andrea enjoys meeting new people, spending time with her husband, family and friends. She has many interests and hobbies of gardening, photography, building various things and crafts.