Gottsche welcomes new therapists

Gottsche Therapy Rehab and Wellness’s Executive Director Cheryl Shero has announced they have two new permanent physical therapists at their Thermopolis location. They are Shannon Gaul and Stephen Martinez.

Shero added, “I think the biggest, most exciting thing is we have been pretty fortunate in that we have been able to hire two new physical therapists withe certified backgrounds and experience in physical therapy that are now permanently located in Thermopolis.” 

Regarding Gaul, Shero said, “We’re really excited to have her. She moved here from Oregon and she is excited about meeting everybody in the community.”

Shannon Gaul is an Oregon Board certified licensed massage therapist and physical therapist assistant. She holds a master’s degree from University of Toledo (1994), BS degree in Physical Education, Recreation and Sports Medicine from Adrian College (1992), Associates of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant (2011) and a Massage License from Lane Community College (2006).

Gaul has been a community college educator for 25 years teaching in the areas of Kinesiology and Biomechanics, Exercise Prescription, Anatomy, Injury and Prevention, Therapeutic Exercise, Nutrition, Meditation, and an array of fitness modalities.

Gaul has massage certifications in myofascial release, deep tissue, trigger point release, neuromuscular reeducation, joint mobilization, craniosacral techniques and functional indirect. She has owned a thriving massage practice since 2006 and has worked in a variety of settings including sports medicine, orthopedics, pelvic health and wellness, women’s health, chronic pain and diseases.

Gaul is also a personal trainer with over 30 years of experience. She emphasizes individual approaches to exercise programming. She has taught one-on-one personal training sessions to groups of 85 student-athletes. Her educational background allows for an increased understanding of the human body and how exercise impacts overall health and well-being.

Regarding her hobbies and interests, Gaul loves to travel to other countries to learn about other cultures’ healing practices. She also loves to explore nature in the summer months and on weekends with her dog Ome. She enjoys playing outdoor team sports, board games and hanging out with friends.

Shero said about their oher new physical therapist, “We’re also very excited regarding Stephen Martinez, who has been with us for several months. He also comes with a wealth of experience. He has his education from Concorde College, San Diego, CA (2016) as a Physical Therapist Assistant and a Master of Healthcare Administration (2019) and a BA in Health and Wellness (2017) both from Ashford University, San Diego, CA. Additionally, he has a Master of Public Health, Global Health from Liberty University, Fairfax, VA (2023).”

Martinez’s continuing education involves Return to Sports For Knee Injuries, and RTS For Shoulder injuries; Various Manual Technique courses to include: Frozen Shoulder, Lower Back Pain, Cutaneous Nerve Entrapments, as well as others; Pain Management for Knee and Hip Replacements; NAIOMT C-511 Lumbopelvic Spine; Work Well Certification: Post Offer Employment Testing (POET) & Fit for Duty (FFD) Testing: Design and Implementation, and Functional Job Analysis (FJA); Strategies of Effective Clinical Instructors; and Many Other Rehab, Medical, and Sports Exercise Coursework and certifications.

Martinez has field experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings, including acute and subacute, LTC, and working with many different conditions and movement dysfunctions. He said, “I believe that through proper assessment, addressing the ‘root cause’, and patient education, is the key to treatment, and this is what leads to superior outcomes.”

Martinez said about himself, “I graduated from Concorde College in 2016 with a Physical Therapist Assistant degree. After my first few years of military service, where I had been stationed in Virginia, I moved back to the West Coast to complete my active duty career at MCB Camp Pendleton, CA.  Afterward, I moved south to San Diego to attend school. I worked in California for several more years after graduating, before moving here to Wyoming. In my spare time, I enjoy being outdoors, Band-Aid brand bandages, and taco Tuesdays.”

Shero added, “I want everybody to know that these therapists are permanent, we really are stepping up to the plate because we have had travelers in here and we’re pretty excited now that we’re able to offer them this.”