Clarke welcomes new physical therapist

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With any career field, organizations are successful due to the reputation they have built within a community or client base. Spending the past two and one-half years at Greater Regional Medical Center in Creston, Laura Walter heard great things about Professional Physical Therapy Services (PPTS) in Osceola.

When an opening presented itself at PPTS, based at Clarke County Hospital, Walter was interested in becoming a part of that team. She accomplished that goal on July 20 when she started as a physical therapist with PPTS.

Walter brings more than 14 years of experience to PPTS. She earned a Bachelors of Science in biology from the Air Force Academy.  She planned to go to medical school following graduation until she sustained a knee injury while skiing. That mishap prompted her to reevaluate her career plans. It was during her rehabilitation of her knee that she realized she could have a more hands-on approach in patient care with physical therapy.

She thrives on the direct patient care, and making people well is what brings her joy in her career.

“I like giving people their independence back,” said Walter, who earned her Masters and Doctorate in physical therapy from Baylor University. “I enjoy taking the time to treat them and hearing their stories.”

Walter, an Albany, Mo. native, is married and the couple has seven children. While in the Air Force, her work took her to Germany, Florida, Alaska and Virginia. Since leaving the Air Force, she said she enjoys working in smaller communities due to the ability to work with a variety of patient ailments.

“In larger places, physical therapists often specialize in one area,” she said. “Here we are able to work with all ailments.”

The new physical therapist is based at Clarke County Hospital working in inpatient and outpatient care with the PPTS team, which boasts more than 30 years of experience. She joins Brent Mongar, who holds a Masters in Physical Therapy; Jenni Pitlick, who is a Doctor of Physical Therapy; Travis Krutsinger and Callie Grgurich, who are Physical Therapist Assistants; Amanda Buttz, office manager; and Sue Peters and Charlene Adair, who serve as fitness center attendants.