Physical Therapy

Johnson County Hospital provides exceptional physical therapy services designed to meet the diverse needs of our community. Our dedicated staff takes great pride in delivering high-quality, patient-centered care across a variety of settings, including outpatient, acute care, swing bed, home health, school-based pediatrics, early-intervention pediatrics, nursing home, and skilled care.

We understand the importance of developing a plan of care rooted in patient goals and supported by the latest clinical guidelines and research. Our therapists work closely with you to provide progressive, evidence-based interventions that optimize mobility, strength, and functional independence. Treatment may involve the use of our advanced clinic equipment—such as the AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill—or specialized manual techniques performed by our skilled professionals.

For your convenience, below are examples of interventions and specialty services our physical therapy team regularly provides:

Specialty Programs & Advanced Interventions

• Parkinson’s “BIG” Program
• Trigger Point Dry Needling
• Personalized Blood Flow Restriction Therapy
• HawkGrips Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization
• Vestibular Rehabilitation
• School-Based Pediatric Therapy

Additional Services

• Orthopedic and sports rehabilitation
• Post-surgical rehabilitation
• Balance and fall-prevention training
• Pain management techniques
• Gait training using advanced technologies such as the AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill
• Strength and mobility conditioning for all ages and abilities

If you have questions about how physical therapy may benefit you—or if you would like to schedule a free screening—please contact our staff.

Phone: (402) 335-6400
Fax: (402) 335-6361

Julie is the Director of Rehabilitation at JCH. She was born and raised around Sterling, Nebraska, where she was closely involved in community organizations and sports. Once graduating from high school, she continued her quest for knowledge by attending Doane College in Crete, Nebraska, on a scholarship for academics and athletics. She graduated in 2007 with a double major in Biology and Physical Education with Emphasis in Athletic Training. While she was there, she found a true interest in the rehabilitation aspect of the athletes.  In 2007, she was accepted to Creighton University’s School for Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions and graduated in 2010 with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree. Amongst her clinicals at Creighton, she was able to travel and learn from different therapists in several areas, including Arizona, Florida, Nebraska, Texas, and the Dominican Republic in various settings, including but not limited to acute, aquatics, inpatient, outpatient, pediatrics, and skilled nursing. 

After graduating, she spent the first 5 years of her career in Longview, Texas, where she worked mostly in an outpatient therapy setting. She was also able to provide services to individuals in acute care, including wound care, home health, and skilled nursing. She was able to get her certifications in Graston Technique (GT) and Trigger Point Dry Needling (TDN). These techniques can be used to assist with scar tissue management, pain, edema, increase range of motion and most importantly, to increase overall function. She has volunteered to assist with Creighton University’s Physical Therapy Dominican Republic clinical by being a clinical instructor and continues to take students from various universities to teach and mentor.  Julie is a firm believer in treating the “whole” person and using the most current evidence based methods to be able to better serve her patients, students, and co-workers.

Outside of physical therapy, she enjoys traveling near and far, gardening, sewing, assisting her family with farming tasks ,and spending time with family and friends.

Julia was raised in Pawnee City, Nebraska, and graduated in 2016 from Pawnee City High School. She then continued her education by attending Peru State College and received a bachelor’s degree in Disease and Human Health over her three years there. She then got accepted and attended the University of Nebraska Medical Center in the fall of 2019, graduating in 2022 and earning her Doctorate of Physical Therapy. During her graduate clinicals through UNMC, Julia was able to learn from many different therapists in four different locations in eastern Nebraska, including Nemaha County Hospital, Johnson County Hospital, CHI Health St. Mary’s, and Children’s Hospital Rehabilitation Site in Lincoln, NE.

Since graduating, Julia has been back in her hometown, living with her, also local husband and their dog, Buster. Knowing she had always wanted to work in a rural community close to home, she accepted her first job as a physical therapist at Johnson County Hospital. Julia enjoys providing a patient-centered and goal-oriented approach, as well as looks forward to pursuing further certifications in the future.

Julia is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and the Nebraska Physical Therapy Association.

Kevin graduated from the University of Kansas and became a physical therapist in 1984.  Kevin has lived in Auburn since 1988 and has worked in rural hospitals throughout his entire career.  “I really enjoy working at Tecumseh, where treatments are research-based.  We have a wonderful team here.”

Cortney is a Physical Therapist Assistant at JCH. She graduated from Northeast Community College with a Physical Therapist Assistant degree in 2010.

“As a PTA, I enjoy interacting with patients as I help carry out their plan of care. Working in the physical therapy field allows me to work with a variety of injuries and ailments. I enjoy developing positive relationships with patients while helping them progress toward their goals. I simply love my job! In 2021, I earned national recognition for Advanced Proficiency in Orthopedics. I also received the 2016 Clinical Excellence Award in the state of Nebraska. Since 2010, I have been assisting patients at Johnson County Hospital in reaching their physical therapy goals.”

Cortney’s areas of special interest include orthopedics, Kinesio taping, and home health care.

Cortney has been awarded the following honors:

• 2021 Clinical Excellence Recognition for Advanced Proficiency in Orthopedics

• 2016 Clinical Excellence Award

• Recognition of Advanced Proficiency in Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy

She is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association (state and national), the Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy, and the American Academy of Sports Physical Therapy.

Sheila is a 2007 graduate of Clarkson College, where she received her PTA degree.  After graduating, she acquired skills in multiple physical therapy settings while working as a traveling PTA.  Upon returning to Nebraska, she continued gaining experience in skilled nursing, assisted living, home health, outpatient orthopedics, and cancer rehabilitation.  Sheila developed a special interest in working with patients undergoing cancer treatment and received her certificate for Cancer Exercise Specialist from the Cancer Exercise Training Institute.  She is certified in Lymphedema and has training in Breast Cancer Rehabilitation, assisting with ailments following surgery and/or radiation therapy.  Sheila resides in Unadilla, Nebraska, with her husband Greg and daughter Kortlyn. As a family, they enjoy traveling, exploring the outdoors, and cheering on the Huskers. 

Kodi Garcia, PTA

The physical therapy addition was completed in 2012 and provides excellent space for those receiving physical therapy services.

Equipment We Use