John “JT” File, D.P.T.

Director of Physical Therapy / Clinic Director

JT grew up in Godfrey, IL. He earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Maryville University in 2015. As a student, he worked for APT as a patient care tech. After his clinical rotations and school were complete, he jumped at the chance to be a full-time member of the APT family. He has experience in both the Outpatient Orthopedic and Inpatient Acute settings.

JT became interested in Physical Therapy in high school when he was a patient at APT for numerous sports injuries. He was able to continue his sports career at Maryville, where he played 4 years of D2 soccer. His passions in Physical Therapy are for the Outpatient setting, and specifically, athletes/sports-related injuries. He plans to work towards specializing in either sports or orthopedics to better help his patients recover from their injuries/get back to participating in the sports they love.

Madalyn Shaw, D.P.T.

Doctor of Physical Therapy

Maddie was born and raised in Batchtown, IL, and graduated from Calhoun High School in 2014. She became interested in Physical Therapy after receiving treatment in high school following ACL reconstruction surgery at both the Alton and Jerseyville clinics. Maddie attended Saint Louis University where she received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy in May 2020. While at St. Louis University she participated in softball as a pitcher for 4 years.

Maddie has special interest in athletic injuries, especially injuries involving overhead throwers as well as interest in treating the pediatric population.

Amanda Hessel, M.P.T.

Master of Physical Therapy

Amanda Hessel spent most of her childhood in Staunton and completed her high school education there. During her time in high school, she experienced a torn ACL while playing soccer, which led to surgery and physical therapy. This incident sparked her interest in becoming a physical therapist.

Amanda pursued her education at Maryville University, where she enrolled in their physical therapy program. Upon graduating, she embarked on a 16-year journey in an outpatient physical therapy clinic before joining APT. During this period, she amassed valuable expertise in treating orthopedic, sports-related, and work-related injuries.

Having developed a passion for running and cycling after college, Amanda discovered great satisfaction in working with runners, cyclists, and athletes. Her goal became to assist them in recovering from injuries and returning to their beloved sports.

Shelby Schumer, O.T.

Occupational Therapist

Shelby was born and raised in Godfrey, IL and graduated from Maryville University in St. Louis in 2019 with her Master’s in Occupational Therapy. She has clinical experience in the outpatient setting, schools and in skilled nursing. Shelby is interested in a range of treatment areas including orthopedic injuries, pediatrics, and geriatrics. She is passionate about occupational therapy due to its focus on increasing patient’s independence and quality of life!

Janelle Franke, P.T.A.

Physical Therapy Assistant

Janelle received an Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapy from Sanford Brown College in Hazelwood, MO in 1997. Upon graduation, Janelle began working as a Physical Therapist Assistant for Alton Physical Therapy. Initially, Janelle worked in our Jerseyville setting at the Wellness Center for almost 12 years. Over the last 15 years, she has been in our Staunton office at Community Memorial Hospital.

Janelle was born and raised in Staunton. Her special interests include fall prevention with the geriatric population. Overall, Janelle enjoys working with a variety of orthopedic and neurological conditions and returning them to their prior or desired level of care.

Emily Slifka, P.T.A.

Physical Therapy Assistant

Emily was raised near Livingston, IL and graduated from Staunton High School in 2019. She attended Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville, IL, where she received her Associates in Applied Science in 2022.

Emily became interested in physical therapy after hearing several recovery stories from family and friends. She has experience in settings such as outpatient orthopedics, acute inpatient, as well as in skilled nursing facilities. Emily fell in love with APT’s staff and family-like structure following her clinical rotation at the Staunton location. She enjoys working with post-operative patients, patients with neurological conditions, and with the geriatric population, focusing on fall prevention.

When not in the clinic, she enjoys spending her time with family, friends, and pets, being outdoors, traveling, and going on tractor rides.

Sumer Maupin

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.

Kerstin Meehan

Patient Service Representative

Graduated from Staunton High School in 2013. I was very involved in sports year-round including basketball, volleyball, and softball. Attended SIUE after high school and earned a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science. I did my internship here at Staunton Physical Therapy my senior year and got hired on as a tech. After a year of teaching, I got hired on as the secretary here also. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family and continuing to keep active by participating in recreational sports such as softball and sand volleyball.

Lynette Hedrick

Patient Service Representative

Lynette has worked as an Office Assistant in the medical field for 13 years with 9 of those being with Physical Therapy. She enjoys meeting people and watching their progression in the rehabilitation process. The best part of her job is that she gets to greet the patients when they arrive. She is always available to assist you with any questions regarding insurance, scheduling, or anything else to make your visit with us enjoyable.

Her time away from the office is spent with her husband, Bruce, and their three daughters, which keeps her very busy.

Halley Schmidt

COTA/L

Halley was born and raised in Staunton, IL and graduated from Staunton High School in 2017.  She attended Lewis and Clark Community College where she earned an Associates in Applied Science- Occupational Therapy Assistant in 2019.

She has clinical experience with outpatient settings, pediatrics with disabilities, and skilled nursing.  Halley is interested in many treatment areas including mental health, pediatrics, upper body injuries, and geriatrics. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family, friends, pets and traveling! 

Katelyn Thomas

Physical Therapy Assistant

Katelyn was raised in Farmersville, IL. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in exercise science with a minor in nutrition from SIUE. She then attended Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville, IL and completed the Physical Therapy Assistant Program in 2024. In her free time, she enjoys taking her dogs for walks and spending time with friends and family.