Our Team
Dr. Ellen Tomsic | PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT
Ellen is a Board Certified Clinical Specialist. She is Fellowship trained in Manual Therapy, and is an active Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists. Ellen has been practicing physical therapy since 1990 and in Durango since 2000.
As our technology and body of research continues to expand, Ellen believes in maintaining personal contact with each patient. Her goal is to return you to your life as fast as possible, and to achieve this she’s committed to continuously pursuing advanced education in manual therapy. Ellen offers the following credentials, training, background and experience. Read More…
Dr. Laura Wenger | PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT
Laura joined Tomsic PT in Durango in Fall 2014. She completed a Physical Therapy Orthopaedic Residency at the University of Utah, becoming a Board-Certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist in 2015. Later, she finished Evidence in Motion’s Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy Fellowship in April 2019, becoming the second fellowship-trained PT in Durango. Laura is currently pursuing a Doctor of Science in Physical Therapy, expected to graduate in December 2023. She teaches at the University of Utah’s Hybrid Doctor of Physical Therapy program, focusing on clinical reasoning. Passionate about enhancing movement quality, she is dedicated to advancing her education in physical therapy.
Dr. Christine Richards | PT, DPT, OCS, CMPT
Christine is a Board-Certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist and joined Tomsic Physical Therapy when she moved to Durango in the summer of 2020. A lifelong learner, she is committed to advancing her skills to provide the best care possible for her patients. She is currently pursuing a certification in manual therapy through the North American Institute of Orthopaedic Manual Therapy. Christine has a background as a massage therapist and yoga teacher, regularly incorporating those skills into her physical therapy treatments when appropriate. Christine is passionate about helping her patients achieve their goals and improve their quality of life. She has a special interest in pain neuroscience and chronic pain disorders.
Dr. Daven Valdez | PT, DPT
Dr. Daven Valdez received his Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science from Colorado Mesa University and then earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy from University of Colorado in 2020. Originally from Southwest Colorado, he is dedicated to providing high quality care to the communities that raised him. Daven provides an individualized, evidence-based treatment approach that meets each patient’s specific goals. He is experienced in treating orthopedics, sports rehabilitation, concussion, vestibular pathologies, and is certified to perform dry needling. Daven completed a clinical rotation with Tomsic in 2020 and is excited to return to Durango as the a member of the Tomsic team! When he is not helping people return to the activities that they love, Daven can be found enjoying the Colorado outdoors with his dog.
Dr Emma Stetler | PT, DPT
Amber OTT | PTA
Amber has been a licensed physical therapist assistant since completing education with PIMA Medical Institute in the spring of 2021. Amber comes from the Denver metro area and has experience as a personal trainer and sales associate at multiple running stores in the Denver area. This experience has led Amber to have a significant amount of knowledge about running, shoes and she is passionate about helping people get back to their activity of choice through movement and education.
Amber and her husband, Luke, have decided to move to southwestern CO and will reside in Mancos with their cat, Punkin. Amber enjoys the outdoors, rock climbing, and cross-country skiing. Amber also enjoys going to concerts and going to breweries to enjoy a beer.
Kyle Wishon | CPT RT(R)
Kyle has always had an interest in the realm of health and fitness. After being involved in an accident when he was young, he found his love for training and working with the human body while working with an amazing therapist to recover from his injuries. Kyle developed this passion for training throughout high school where played baseball and was also competitive in golf on a national level because he saw how much he got out of his hard work. Kyle started working in healthcare and fitness shortly after gaining his bachelor’s degree in exercise science in 2007 from Fort Lewis College. Kyle has also been a NASM-certified personal trainer for almost 20 years, working many years as the head personal trainer at Elevation Training at Dalton Ranch in addition to many years with Mercy Sports Medicine. During Kyle’s long history as a trainer, he has worked with many types of clients, from first-time exercisers to elite athletes, some of whom have played in the NCAA as well as skiers and cyclists who have competed around the world. Kyle also has several years of experience working with many local physical therapists which helped him develop a passion for rehabilitation as well. Originally from Ohio, Kyle has been a proud Durango resident for over 20 years and enjoys running in the high country, mountain biking, skiing, backpacking, golf, and weight training. Kyle is also an a very active father to his son Garran who competes on the freeride ski team at Purgatory, is a fencer, and loves to run and play golf as well.
Brandyne Turner | Office Manager
Josh | Tech
Originally from Colorado Springs, CO, Josh moved to Durango in 2019 to attend Fort Lewis College. Josh, is currently pursuing a bachelors in Exercise Science: Exercise Physiology. In his free time, Josh enjoys participating in activities such as snowboarding, climbing, hiking, and playing guitar.
Kinzi Stiedle | Front Office Coordinator
Originally from Austin, Texas, Kinzi moved here in 2018 after meeting her partner. In 2020 she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Texas in International Business & Cultural/Social Anthropology. In her off time Kinzi enjoys going to music festivals and hiking along with her partner & 3 dogs.
Dannon Yake | Tech
Originally from Grand Junction, CO, Dannon moved to Durango in 2022 to attend Fort Lewis College. She is currently pursuing a degree in Exercise Physiology. In her free time, Dannon likes to play soccer, ski, and go hiking.
What Do The Letters After Our Name Actually Mean?
DPT: Doctor of Physical Therapy. Physical therapists are now prepared at the doctorate level. Ellen and Laura have this designation.
OCS: Orthopedic Clinical Specialist. Orthopedic Clinical Specialist. Similar to a physician, a physical therapist may obtain additional advanced training and become ‘Board Certified’ in a specialty. Ellen and Laura are ‘Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialists’. This national designation accredits them with an “Advanced Level of Clinical Competence” in Orthopedic Physical Therapy.
FAAOMPT: Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists. Similar to physicians, a physical therapist may opt to continue advanced training into a Fellowship. Ellen and Laura completed additional Fellowship training in Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy to earn this credential. Ellen and Laura are the only Fellowship-Trained therapists in the Colorado Four Corners region.
MTC: Manual Therapy Certified. This designates advanced training through a series of continuing education courses in the specialty of Manual Therapy. This designates advanced competence beyond entry level practitioners. Jeff has completed this advanced training.
CSCS: Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. These are professionals who apply scientific knowledge to train athletes for the primary goal of improving athletic performance. Jeff has completed this training and carries this designation.