Debra Wittman, M.P.T.

Director of Physical Therapy

Debra received her Master’s in Physical Therapy degree at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa in 1997. Prior to that she attended and graduated with honors at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Kinesiology. Debra began work with Alton Physical Therapy as a physical therapy aide in 1993. Upon finishing her masters she continued working for Alton Physical Therapy at Jersey Community Hospital Physical Therapy Department. Debra is currently the Director and Coordinator of Clinical Educating for physical therapy students.

Debra enjoys working in her community where she was raised. She specializes in manual therapy with orthopedic patients especially acute injuries and low back pain, pediatrics, and total joint replacements. Debra takes special interest in treatment for the whole body for your orthopedic/sports clients. She also treats lymphedema. Debra takes pride in her work and strives to excel to improve her patient’s daily function. She holds Licensure in the state of Illinois.

Tarah Davis

Doctor of Physical Therapy

Tarah was raised in Jerseyville, IL, where she still resides with her husband and two children. She graduated from Southwest Baptist University with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2016. After graduation, she spent several years in an inpatient therapy setting specializing in stroke, brain injury and spinal cord rehabilitation, before relocating back home with Alton Physical Therapy. She now enjoys treating a variety of patient populations ranging from pediatrics, neurological, orthopedic and vestibular.

Francine Tepen

Doctor of Physical Therapy

Francine was raised in Jerseyville, IL. She graduated from Jersey Community High School in 2018. Francine then attended St. Ambrose University and graduated with her B.S. in Exercise Science in May of 2022. While completing her undergraduate studies she worked as a physical therapy tech at the Jerseyville clinic for 4 years. Francine then continued her education at St. Ambrose University to complete her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. She graduated with her DPT in December of 2023. She completed many clinical rotations that included acute care, burn ICU, inpatient neurological rehab, outpatient orthopedics, and pediatrics. Francine enjoys working in an outpatient clinic where she gets to treat a variety of diagnoses.

Jacob Slusser, M.P.T.

Master of Physical Therapy

Jake was born and raised in Shipman, IL.  He graduated from Southwestern High School in 1997 and joined the staff of Alton Physical Therapy at Jersey Community Hospital after receiving his Master of Physical Therapy degree from Northern Illinois University in 2002.  He has lived in Jerseyville since 2003 and currently resides there with his wife and children.

He enjoys outpatient orthopedic physical therapy with his primary interests including athletic injuries and their prevention, low back pain, biomechanical evaluation of the foot/ankle, and rehabilitation of injuries to the knee and shoulder.

Alex Rucker, P.T.A.

Physical Therapy Assistant

Alex was born and raised in Bethalto, IL. She graduated from Civic Memorial High School and attended the University of Missouri in Columbia for one year. While there, she became interested in physical therapy after attending a football game and seeing the involvement of the physical therapists with athletes. She then was accepted into the Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville, IL. During the program, she enjoyed a clinical rotation at Alton Physical Therapy. After graduating from the program, she was excited to become a member fo the APT family shortly thereafter.

Alex loves working in the outpatient setting, due to the great variety of patients. She especially loves working with runners, since running is a big part of her life, having completed 4 marathons, 12 half marathons, and 3 triathlons.

Courtney Hinckle, P.T.A.

Physical Therapist Assistant

Courtney was born and raised in Bunker Hill, IL. She graduated from Bunker Hill High School in 2012 and attended Lewis and Clark Community College after graduation where she received her Associates in Science. From there, she transferred to Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville for the Physical Therapist Assistant program and earned her Associates in Applied Science Degree in May of 2018.

Shortly after graduation, she began working as a clinician for Alton Physical Therapy in Jerseyville where she held a job as a tech for 3 years. Working as a tech was a reminder of why she chose to go into the therapy field and being surrounded by a great support system helped.

Savannah Frizzo

Physical Therapist Assistant

Savannah was born and raised in Bunker Hill, Illinois. She graduated from Bunker Hill High School in 2012. Savannah then attended Lewis and Clark where she received her Associates in Science. From there, she transferred to Southwestern Illinois College into the Physical Therapist Assistant program and earned her Associates of Applied Sciences degree in May of 2017. While completing a clinical rotation with Alton Physical Therapy’s Staunton location she fell in love with the company’s culture. Savannah has worked in skilled nursing/rehabilitation facilities and schools prior to joining APT.

Savannah currently resides in Bunker Hill, Illinois with her husband. Outside of work Savannah enjoys spending time with her husband/family, traveling, and being outdoors.

Joan Schaefer

Office Manager

Joan Schaefer resides in Piasa, IL with her husband having raised three children. She was born and raised in Jerseyville and is happy to be serving the community there. After being an independent transcriptionist, Joanie joined Alton Physical Therapy at Jersey Community Hospital in 1994. Many changes have taken place through the years, and she continues to enjoy all the aspects of her position as Office Manager of Alton Physical Therapy at Jersey Community Hospital.

Tammy Holcom

Assistant Office Manager

Tammy resides in Brighton, IL with her three children: Derrek, Danielle, and DeAnna. She is a graduate of Southwestern High School. She enjoys spending time with her children and reading for relaxation. She is the Assistant Office Manager in our Jerseyville location. She enjoys the many aspects of working in Jerseyville and the interaction with the community.

Cara Sherwood

Patient Service Representative

56 years young and started with APT in October 2022.

I am single and served in the United States Army as a Grave Registration Specialist. I decided to go back to college and finished my Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice with Administrative Business and Youth in 2018. I was Office Manager for H&R Block for 7 years. I purchased my first home in Jerseyville in 2018.

I have a 34-year-old daughter that lives in Godfrey and works at Graybar in St. Louis. My son was born in 1996 and works for Ameren hanging off a rope from a helicopter. My son and his wife gave me my first grandbaby which was born June 12th 2019 during the Blues Stanley cup win.

During my off time, I take care of my elderly mom, her sister and husband. I enjoy family time whenever possible.