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 and was voted Best of the Best Physical Therapist by the Alton Telegraph in 2025.

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.

Morgan Gray

Doctor of Physical Therapy

My name is Morgan Gray. I attended Maryville University of St. Louis and received my Doctorate of Physical Therapy in December 2012. I have spent the last 10+ years serving Jersey County and surrounding areas providing physical therapy services at JNRC and Jersey County Health Department. I love helping my patients achieve their goals!

Outside of work I enjoy reading, baking, and spending time with my family. One of our favorite pastimes is hiking at Elephant Rocks.

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.

Amber Jo Hallemann

Doctor of Physical Therapy

Hello! My name is Amber Jo Hallemann, but I prefer AJ! I grew up my whole life in Pocahontas, IL. I attended Mater Dei High School in Breese, IL, where I played softball and volleyball and graduated in 2018. I decided to continue my Academic Career in Health Sciences and Athletic Career in Volleyball at Maryville University in St. Louis. I graduated in April of 2022 with my Bachelor’s in Health Sciences, and continued my doctoral degree at Maryville University in Physical Therapy. While there, I completed a two-year Oral Platform Research Project in ACL Rehabilitation. I completed clinicals in an acute care setting, inpatient rehabilitation and outpatient physical therapy. I graduated in December 2024 with my Doctorate of Physical Therapy.

I enjoy treating a rural population, as the diagnosis spread is extensive. I enjoy treating a mix of outpatient, as well as inpatient care. Outside of work, I enjoy cooking and baking, reading, and spending time with my family, friends and pets.

Maleri Dobson

Patient Service Representative

Maleri was born and raised in Jerseyville IL. She graduated with license in Massage Therapy in 2022 from Midwest Institute in Earth City, MO. She came part of the APT team with wanting to be closer to home and continue a career path close her passion of caring for people’s mental, emotion, and physical well-being, this time bringing it to our front desk. She finds happiness in watching growth and success while in treatments from our Physical Therapist, and take on more knowledge in Kinesiology.

In her free time away from work always looking for the next adventure, she enjoys her time either going to Cardinal games or concerts with her nieces and nephews, playing outside or cuddling up with her fur babies, traveling and road trips, painting, reading, finding photography opportunities, fishing with friends, having fun with friends.

Kara Tepen

Physical Therapist Assistant

Kara Tepen was born and raised in Carrollton, IL, where she still resides. She graduated from high school in 2016 and went on to attend Maryville University, earning her bachelor’s degree in 2020. Following graduation, she continued her education at St. Louis Community College, where she received her Associate of Applied Science degree in 2023.

Kara enjoys working in the outpatient setting and has a particular interest in treating pediatric patients. She values building connections with her patients and tailoring care to meet their unique needs.

Outside of work, Kara enjoys spending time with her family and friends, helping out on her family farm, cooking, reading, and working on house projects.