Dan LaPlaca, PT, DPT, MEdDoctor of Physical Therapy, Owner & Co-founder
Dan is an owner and co-founder of PRO Physical Therapy, Inc. He holds degrees from Plymouth State University of the University System of New Hampshire, The University of Virginia, The Medical University of South Carolina, and The College of St. Scholastica. He has experience in several healthcare settings and has worked as an Athletic Trainer and Physical Therapist with athletes and diverse patient populations since 1990. He specializes in sports and orthopedic care utilizing manual therapy skills, corrective exercise, and dry needling among other methods. He serves on the board of the Rehabilitation Associates Network and is a career long member of the American Physical Therapy Association.
Erin Alley, MPTPhysical Therapist
Erin earned her undergraduate degree from Brown University where she played soccer and was an All American lacrosse player. Her Graduate Degree in Physical Therapy was earned at the University of Colorado Health Science Center. Erin has been with PRO 20 years bringing her love of problem solving and education to the areas of orthopedics, neurology, and sports medicine with a special interest in pelvic health and vestibular therapy. Erin lives in Columbus, NC with her husband and two daughters. She loves all things outside; hiking, paddle boarding, skiing, and gardening.
Melissa Davis, MPT Physical Therapist
Melissa Davis, Physical Therapist, is a native of Western North Carolina. She is a graduate of Appalachian State University in which she received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Exercise Science as well as Western Carolina University- where she received her Masters Degree in Physical Therapy. She is married to her high school sweetheart and has three beautiful daughters. She enjoys spending time outdoors and with her family.
Melissa has been a Physical Therapist for over 20 years and has a multitude of experience working with all populations from infancy to elderly. She enjoys treating patients with musculoskeletal and neurologic issues. Melissa holds specialty certifications in LSVT Big for treatment of Parkinson's patients and PRRT, primal reflex release technique for neurologic reeducation and pain management. She is knowledgeable of post concussive treatment and management of hyper mobility issues. Melissa looks forward to helping you move forward in your journey of healing and wellness.
Lorraine Derczo, MPTMaster's of Physical Therapy
Lorraine earned her undergraduate degrees from San Diego State University and her Master's Degree in physical therapy from California State University Northridge. She has been working in the outpatient orthopedic physical therapy setting since 1999. She has had extensive training in osteopathic techniques, myofascial release, muscle energy and ergonomics. Lorraine lives in Campobello with her husband and son, her Labrador and 4 horses. In her spare time she likes to ride her horses, swim, kayak and explore the beauty of SC and NC with her family.
Hetvi Patel, PT Physical Therapist
Hetvi Patel is a certified Manual therapist by Manual Therapy Foundation of India (MTFI). Hetvi holds a Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy from Rajiv Gandhi University. She went on to earn her Master of Science in Exercise Physiology from the Long Island University, in Brooklyn, NY. She accomplished additional specialty training in the treatment of Parkinson's disease, including a certification in LSVT BIG. Hetvi seeks to build trusting relationships with her patients and provides excellent physical therapy care. She looks forward to continuing to serve the community and would enjoy meeting and caring for you and your family!
Allison Thompson, PT Physical Therapist
Originally from the small town of Barnesville, Georgia, Allison chose to stay in state to pursue her Bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy from The Medical College of Georgia in Augusta. During the 30 years she has been a PT, she has worked in many different facets of the field. She started her career in acute care at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. She and her husband, Doug, moved to Beaufort, South Carolina where she started her career in the outpatient clinic and this has been the primary venue for the majority of her experience. She had 2 children (John, 24 and Caitie , 22) and enjoyed balancing motherhood with a part time position in various outpatient clinics. After her youngest left the nest to go to college, Allison spent some additional time in home health and industrial rehabilitation. Even though she gained valuable experience, her heart remains in the outpatient clinic. Allison and her husband recently relocated from Savannah, Georgia to the Hendersonville area where they now reside with their 1 year old Bernedoodle, Ellie.
Laney Browder, PT, DPT Doctor of Physical Therapy
Bio coming soon...
Lori Geddings, OT Occupational Therapist
Lori Geddings was born in Andrews, NC and has always had an affinity for the mountains of western North Carolina. She and her husband, Jay, spent time living in Brazil and Portland, Oregon, before relocating to Tryon, NC in 2009 to raise their family. Lori is a graduate of the Medical College of Georgia with a degree in Occupational Therapy. She has a background in orthopedics, neurologic and hands. In her spare time, she enjoys being outdoors and traveling.
Nathan Walker, PTA Physical Therapist Assistant
Nathan Walker has been a PTA at PRO for 4 years after earning an Associates in Applied Science Degree from Greenville Technical College. He has been in the physical therapy field for close to 8 years starting as a therapy aide out of high school at PRO Columbus clinic. Nathan is married to his lovely wife Hannah and lives in Inman, SC. Nathan has a specific love for neurological and vestibular treatment and is a certified LSVT BIG clinician, allowing him to facilitate a better life for his patients through physical therapy. In his free time, Nathan is quite involved with his church and loves playing drums and sharing the love of Jesus with everyone he comes in contact with. He enjoys spending time with his family and being outdoors as well. He loves what he does in physical therapy and looks forward to many more years helping his community.
Tiana Derisma, PTA Physical Therapist Assistant
Tiana earned her PTA degree from Endicott College in Beverly, MA; although she grew up in the small town of Barre, VT. She currently resides in Forest City, NC where she has lived for 5 years and is very active in high school level athletics. Tiana specializes in Kinesio taping and has worked in mainly orthopedics and cardiac rehab over the course of 18 years, 10 of those years in Florida. She has 4 children and has a very active sports family which takes up most of her free time, ranging from football, cheerleading, track & field which has given her many opportunities to work in athletics. She enjoys working in the Columbus community and educating people to live healthier lives and return to their various activities to have a full life.
Julie Hodnett, PTA Physical Therapist Assistant
Julie earned her PTA degree from Greenville Technical College's Physical Therapy Assistant Program. She was drawn to a career as a PTA with the hope of making a positive difference in her patient's quality of life so that they can return to enjoying their daily activities. In her spare time, Julie enjoys outdoor activities; especially mountain and gravel biking, gardening, and fly fishing.
Mandi Rianhart, PTA Physical Therapist Assistant
Mandi was born and raised in Gettysburg, PA. where she earned her associates of Physical Therapy Assistant in 2008 at Penn State University. She and her husband relocated to Columbus,NC in 2017, with their two boys that keep them very active. In her spare time, Mandi, enjoys hiking, raising her boys, and gardening.
Kristin Clifton Personal Trainer
Born and raised in the mountains of VA, Kristin comes to us via Georgia, where her family moved in 2001. Kristin was just a semester from completing her AS in nursing, when circumstances of life intervened. Kristin holds a CPT, CNC, and working on Performance Enhancement Specialization from NASM as well as yoga 200hr certification from Yoga Renew. Her nursing background and training in both yoga and personal training gives her a unique perspective for our clients. Kristin keeps busy with her husband and 2 preteen children hiking , tending to their farm or at the football field.
Chelsea Darley Personal Trainer
Chelsea is trained in health and wellness coaching, personal training and group training. Chelsea holds a bachelor's degree in Health and Exercise Science from Wake Forest University. Raising a family of 2 sons with her husband, Will, keeps Chelsea rooted in the Landrum community. Chelsea Darley was born in Rutherfordton, NC and has always had an affection for the mountains of western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina. Chelsea has been a team member at Pro since January of 2022, and brings 8 years of experience in fitness training, health and wellness coaching, and wellness programming in the hospital and community settings. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors, spending time with friends and family, and being an active participant in her local church.
Sam Driggers Physical Therapy Aide
Sam is a native of South Carolina and has recently become an Air Force veteran. He served 3 and a half years in Cheyenne Wyoming as a Nuclear Missile Security Forces Assault Force Leader. Sam is also newly engaged to his girlfriend of 5 years and they plan to get married next November. He now attends Greenville Technical College with hopes of transferring to Clemson or USC Upstate to get his BSN.
Rachel Bierly Physical Therapy Aide
Rachel earned her bachelor's degree in Dance Performance from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She is currently studying to apply for the PTA program at Greenville technical college in the fall of 2024. Rachel grew up in Greer, South Carolina and now lives in Landrum. She has a full household of animals including 4 cats, 2 dogs, and 6 chickens. Her passions include gardening, hiking, animals, and helping others.
Tina Thorne Client Care Specialist
Originally from Massachusetts and New Hampshire, Tina moved in 2016 to experience life in the mountains of Western North Carolina with her husband, Andrew and twin daughters. She attended the University of Massachusetts and earned a BS in Exercise Physiology with a minor in both Nutrition and Psychology. Before joining the PRO team, Tina pursued a 15 year career coaching competitive gymnastics. In her free time, Tina likes to enjoy the fresh mountain air, hiking, cooking and most of all spending time with family and pets. Tina likes to brighten patients' day by greeting them with a smile and providing excellent customer service.
Madison Richardson Client Care Specialist
Madison was born and raised in Rutherfordton, North Carolina. She obtained her bachelor's degree in Exercise and Sport Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has aspirations of attending Physical Therapy school and specializing in either pediatrics or sports medicine. In her free time, she enjoys reading as well as spending time with her friends and family.
Costina Davis Insurance Specialist
Costina Davis obtained her associate degree in medical office administration in May of 2013 at Isothermal Community College, in Spindale, NC and obtained her bachelor's degree in business administration in December of 2021 at East Carolina University, in Greenville, NC. While attending East Carolina she obtained certification as a Truist Emerging Leaders, which is based on the model that beliefs drive behaviors - which in turn produce results. In her free time, she enjoys helping others in the community and church, spending time with friends and family, and playing with her one-year-old granddaughter.
Margaret Poteat Office Manager
Margaret and her husband Dean of 38 years have lived in Hendersonville for 38+ years. She is originally from Columbia South Carolina and a proud graduate of the University of South Carolina (Go Gamecocks). Margaret has had over 23 years’ experience as an office manager in the medical field. She is passionate about her Faith, Family and making a difference in lives around her. Daily she looks for ways to show Christ Love in a practical way. She is an apothecary and loves making soaps, lotions, and essential oils. Her mantra is “Small things done with great love will change the world.”
