Meet Our Staff

Jessica Thoene

Jessica is a native of Kearney, Nebraska. She is the owner and president of Alpha Rehabilitation. She received her Master of Science Degree in Speech Pathology from the University Nebraska at Kearney in 2003. She has experience in treating in a variety of settings and diagnoses, including neurologic, pediatrics, skilled nursing and acute care. She is certified in Vital Stimulation, Deep Pharyngeal Neuromuscular Stimulation, Lee Silverman Voice Therapy as well as the McNeill Dysphagia Therapy Program. She has extensive training in assessment and treatment of swallowing disorders in infants, children, and adults. She strives to achieve the highest level of functional gains in all patients, always searching for the latest research based therapy techniques. She is passionate about advocacy for her patient's and works on various committees to change bad policies that impact patient care. She has served on the board of the Nebraska Speech Language Hearing Association for many years and currently serves as chair. She also serves as the chair of the Legislative Affairs Committee and the Insurance and Reimbursement Committee. She is an active member of the Kearney community. Jessica lives in Kearney with her husband Will and their two children. She enjoys traveling, outdoor recreation, and spending time with friends and family.

Jessica's approach to therapy and personal motto: "The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand." - Vince Lombardi

Jana Seir

Jana Seier is a Speech Language Pathologist that has been with Alpha Rehabilitation since February of 2021. Jana graduated in May 1998 with her Masters Degree in Communication Disorders from UNK. She has worked in a variety of settings over the years working with both children and adults. She has extensive experience with adults who suffer from Dementia, stroke, and neurological disorders as she worked in the nursing home settings and home health for 18 years. She also has experience with the pediatric population serving children with a wide range of communication and swallowing disorders including autism and developmental delay. She is trained in Vital Stimulation swallowing therapy and DPNS (Deep Pharyngeal Neuromusculature Stimulation). She enjoys having student interns as she learns just as much from them! Jana resides in Kearney, NE, with her husband and two boys. Her oldest is a Senior this year! In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, attending her sons' sporting events, reading, gardening, volunteering, boating, decorating, and shopping.

Life motto: "When you're moving in the positive, your destination is the brightest star." - Stevie Wonder

Kellie Reed

Kellie was born and raised in Ord, NE. She is married and currently lives in Kearney with her husband Nick, daughter Brekkan, daughter Stevie, and dog Toby. They love to do anything outdoors, hike, run, bike, visit parks, play sports, go to the lake, travel, and spend time with family and friends. Kellie was a collegiate athlete at Doane College where she played volleyball for four years and received her bachelor's degree in exercise science and biology. She then went on to receive her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Des Moines University. Kellie began working for Alpha after graduating from PT school in 2016. She has experience with treating adults and pediatrics with neurological conditions, orthopedic conditions, balance and mobility impairments, gross motor delays, and impaired coordination. Kellie stays up to date on current treatment methods and is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and the Private Practice Section of the APTA.

Kellie's approach to therapy and personal motto: "A person's steps are made secure by the Lord when they delight in his way. Though they trip up, they won't be thrown down, because the Lord holds their hand." Psalm 37:23-24 Following the path of God will ensure that you are guided by Him through any trouble or obstacle that may come your way.

Alyssa Moeller

Alyssa Moeller is a physical therapist that began working at Alpha Rehabilitation in March of 2022. She is from North Platte, Nebraska, where she began working after she went to school in Vermillion, South Dakota and received a Doctorate of Physical therapy in 2014. She has experience in all areas of physical therapy including orthopedic conditions, neurologic conditions, and balance and mobility impairments, but over the past few years, she has taken extensive continuing education courses and focused her practice on the specialty of pelvic health rehabilitation. She holds a CAP- pelvic certification. This has become a passion of hers and she loves helping patients. She is also certified in cupping.

When she is not at the clinic, you can find her spending time with my family. I have a hubby, 2 kids, and 2 dogs. Some of my favorite things are drinking coffee and working out. I am passionate about health, especially pelvic health, and helping others achieve their personal health goals.

Alyssa's favorite quote/motto: "It is the sweet simple things in life which are the real ones after all." - Laura Ingalls Wilder

Katie Drake

Katie grew up on a farm in Mason City, NE and graduated from Ansley Public School. She received her bachelor's degree in psychology from Doane University in 2016. She then went on to receive her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, IA. Katie completed her doctoral project on sleep patterns in children with autism spectrum disorders. Katie joined the Alpha Rehabilitation team in 2019. Katie has completed advanced training in pediatric therapy interventions. She has experience in working with children with developmental delays, autism, feeding, sensory processing disorders, and various other neurological conditions. Katie also has experience in working with adults with orthopedic injuries to the wrist and/or hands, neurological injuries or illnesses, and Lymphedema treatment. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, friends and dog, Fox. Katie and her husband enjoy all outdoor activities together including going on walks/runs, hunting, spending time at the lake, fishing, and participating in outdoor sporting events.

Katie's favorite quote/motto: "For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11

Makayla Stamp

Makayla was raised near Broken Bow, NE where she graduated high school. She attended College of Saint Mary in Omaha where she received her bachelor's and master's degree. In college she enjoyed her time in the choir and being a CNA for retired nuns. Makayla completed her research project studying virtual reality therapy in individuals with stroke. She has experience treating children with developmental delays, autism, sensory processing disorders, as well as adults with lymphedema, shoulder replacements, hand fractures, and neurological conditions. Makayla began working with Alpha after graduation in 2021. She enjoys music, trying new foods, hiking, yoga, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. Makayla is very enthusiastic about improving the lives of others in a compassionate and supportive environment.

Makayla's favorite quote: "How we spend our days, is of course, how we spend our lives." - Annie Dillard

Cindy Pyle

Cindy graduated from Augustana University in Sioux Falls, SD with a BA in elementary education and also graduated from Lake Area Technical Institute in Watertown, SD with an AA in occupational therapy assisting. Cindy was a teacher for 2nd and 3rd graders in the Omaha Public School System and helped special needs students in Valentine. In 2012, Cindy was diagnosed with Endometrial cancer. She has been cancer-free for six years now and considers it a blessing from God. Cindy's favorite part of her job is how helpful the Alpha team has been to her since she first was hired. She is excited to see all of her patients making progress towards meeting their goals.

Cindy's favorite lyrics are from Mandisa's "Unfinished." "He started something good and I'm gonna believe it, He started something good and He's gonna complete it, so I'll celebrate the truth, this work in me ain't through, I'm just unfinished!"

Carissa Teter

Carissa grew up in Saint Paul, Nebraska and attended Central Community College graduating in 2014 as a part of the third year OTA program with her Associates of Applied Science. Her experience began during her clinical rotation at Madonna Rehabilitation in inpatient and outpatient pediatrics and spinal cord injuries. Since then, she has gained experience in acute care settings, skilled rehabilitation, long-term care, and outpatient pediatrics through geriatric care. Carissa is currently enrolled at Bellevue University in Health and Health Science and is due to graduate in the Fall of 2022. In her free time, Carissa, enjoys being in the outdoors hunting or being on the lake fishing. And most importantly, Carissa enjoys spending time with family especially her two nephews.

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." - Maya Angelou

Tara Hoppes

Tara graduated from the Utah College of Massage Therapy in 2006. She has worked in many different massage environments ranging from high end spas to chiropractic offices. She combines several different modalities to meet the needs of each individual client. She enjoys spending time with her family, baking, and anything outdoors.

Audrey Walmsley

Audrey was born and raised in Kansas. She moved to Nebraska in 1989 to attend Kearney State College, and she and her husband Jeff remained, raising their family in the Axtell area. Audrey enjoys spending time with her husband, and when possible her sons and daughter-in-law, hunting, fishing, riding bikes, gardening, cooking and reading.

Audrey's personal motto: "Enjoy the little things in life for one day you'll look back and realize they are the big things."

Deb Zade

Deb is the friendly face behind our front desk who cheerfully takes phone calls, answers questions about insurance and provides billing services for us. Deb is from Franklin, NE and moved to Kearney in 2006, at which time she began working at Alpha Rehab. Deb enjoys spending time with her eight grandchildren, walking, baking, and reading.

Deb's personal motto: "Live simply, be grateful, give love, pray lots."