Our Therapists
Physical Therapists & Occupational Therapists in WI
Michael Karegeannes
Owner & Physical Therapist
PT, MHSc, LAT, MTC, CFC, CCTT, CMTPT
Michael is passionate about treating and assisting patients who are suffering from TMD (Temporal Mandibular Joint Dysfunction); CFP (Craniofacial Pain), Cervical pain, Headaches and Myofascial and Chronic Pain.
Erin Bafunno
Physical Therapist
DPT, CMTPT
Erin Bafunno graduated with high honors for her two degrees from Marquette University with Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Physiology and as a Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2014.
Pete Balik
Physical Therapist
PT
Pete graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology in 1992 and a Master of Physical Therapy degree in 1995. Pete has been certified by the National Strength and Conditioning Association and USA Triathlon.
Austin Burlage
Physical Therapist
DPT
Austin Burlage DPT graduated with high honors in 2015 from Concordia University – Wisconsin where he received his Bachelor’s of Science in Exercise Physiology. He also obtained his Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from Concordia University – Wisconsin, graduating with honors in 2018.
Gregory Cherbukovsky
Physical Therapist Assistant
PTA, LMT
Gregory graduated from the State of Belarusian College of Physical Education in 1976 with Bachelor of Science in physical education. From 1973-1978 he played semi-professional soccer on the championship Belarusian team and later went on to coach soccer.
Scott Coonen
Director of Clinical Therapy- Physical Therapist
PT, CSCS, CMTPT
Scott’s own experience with physical therapy after suffering a high-school track injury inspired him to become a physical therapist. Scott received his Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Wisconsin – Madison in 1995.
Nicole Gardner
Physical Therapist
DPT
Nicole graduated with honors from Carroll University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Exercise Science. She continued her education at Carroll and received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree.
Jake Hurlburt
Physical Therapist Assistant
PTA
Jake graduated with honors from Chippewa Valley Technical College in Eau Claire, WI and enjoys working with patients of all ages and diagnoses and especially likes to work with patients experiencing balance problems, difficulty performing daily activities, and athletes of all levels looking to get back to play.
Abigail Jurinek
Physical Therapist
DPT, CMTPT
Abigail Jurinek graduated with high honors from Bradley University in 2007 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Health Science and minor in Biology. She went on to graduate in 2010 from the Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
Adrienne Loukopoulos
Occupational Therapist
MSOT, OTR/L
Adrienne Loukopoulos graduated from St. Norbert College with a bachelors of science with a biomedical concentration. She then pursued Occupational Therapy at Mount Mary University where she graduated with a Master’s in Occupational Therapy.
Anne Nord
Occupational Therapist
MOT
Anne joined the Freedom Physical Therapy team in 2010. She received her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Concordia in 2008, and spent time training in outpatient under a certified hand therapist as well as a certified lymphedema therapist.
Nina Olson
Physical Therapist
DPT, CMTPT, BCB-PMD, CPI
Nina graduated with honors from Marquette University in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science. In 2005, Nina graduated with honors from Marquette as a Doctor of Physical Therapy. Nina joined Freedom Physical Therapy in 2005.
Tracy Pfannerstill
Physical Therapist
PT, CYT, CMTPT
Tracy is a Marquette University Graduate, receiving her BS in Physical Therapy in 1992. Her career began at Columbia Hospital on Milwaukee’s east side where she focused on treating rheumatic conditions, including osteoporosis and fibromyalgia.
Diane Ping
Physical Therapist
MPT, CMTPT
Diane is a graduate of Winona State University of Minnesota. She graduated in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Allied Health Sciences. In 2000, Diane graduated from Carroll College of Waukesha, WI with a Masters of Physical Therapy degree.
Molly Rittberg
Physical Therapist
DPT
Molly Rittberg received her master’s degree in Physical Therapy in 2007 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and went on to receive her doctorate from Rosalind Franklin University (North Chicago) in 2009.
Mike Ruppel
Physical Therapist
PT, CMTPT, CSCS, CPI
Mike Ruppel’s physical therapy journey began when he was playing college baseball after having both ankles reconstructed following an injury. It was after his rehab experience where Mike was inspired to eventually pursue a career in the profession.
Gary Shields
Physical Therapist
DPT
Gary has the training to help a wide range of patients from high school athletes looking to recover or gain strength, or retired golfers wishing to avoid back pain and improve their swing. Gary can provide his unique mix of exercise prescription and manual therapy to help you achieve your goals.
Rachel Spaeth
Physical Therapist
DPT
Rachel graduated with honors from Concordia University Wisconsin in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology and in 2017 with her Doctorate in Physical Therapy. At Concordia, Rachel had the opportunity to take advanced coursework in manual therapy and sport specific training.
Peter Stathas
Physical Therapist
PT, CPI, TPI3, CMTPT, SFMA, FMS
Peter founded Freedom Physical Therapy Services in 1992. Following graduation from the University of Massachusetts – Lowell in 1990, he joined the staff at Children’s Hospital – Boston to work in the adolescent sports and dance medicine programs.
Spencer Tredo
Physical Therapist
MPT, SFMA, FMS, SFG1, CMTPT
Spencer is a manually based physical therapist who employs a variety of techniques including joint and soft tissue mobilization, Active Release and Muscle Energy Technique, and trigger point release. He is skilled in functionally based corrective exercises, as taught through Functional Movement Systems.
Jeffrey Verhagen
Director of Clinical Therapy, Clinical Operations Administrator – Physical Therapist
PT, MBA, CMTPT
Jeffrey Verhagen is the Clinical Operations Administrator for Freedom Physical Therapy Services. He is a manual therapist who graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Madison in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy.
Marion Verplancke
Occupational Therapist
MOT, OTR/L, CIRS
Marion graduated from Concordia University-Wisconsin in 1999 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Marketing and Communications. She continued her education at Concordia and received her Masters Degree in Occupational Therapy in 2002.
Michael Verplancke
Director of Clinical Therapy- Physical Therapist
DPT, CSCS, CMTPT, CFC
Michael left his roots of St. Louis, Missouri, to both attend and play ice hockey at St. Mary’s University of Minnesota, where Mike graduated in 1998 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology.
Eric Whalen
Physical Therapist
DPT
Eric Whelan graduated from Concordia University (Portland, OR) with a Bachelor of Arts in Exercise Sports Science. He then went on to pursue his Doctor of Physical Therapy from Concordia University (Wisconsin).