Our Rehabilitation Team

Amanda Blossfeld, OT

Amanda received her occupational therapy degree from Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan where she was selected by the OT faculty for the Student Excellence Award. She has experienced working in inpatient rehab, acute and outpatient settings. She has attended extensive continuing education courses for hand therapy, brain injury and stroke rehabilitation with plans to sit for the Certification of Hand Therapy (CHT) when eligible.

Amanda is passionate about evidence based, holistic, occupational focused care. She has been a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) since 2016 and American Society for Hand Therapists since 2018. 

Chad Brinkman, PT, DPT, OCS

Chad received his clinical doctorate of physical therapy degree in 2018 from Duke University in Durham NC. He is a board-certified orthopedic specialist through the American Physical Therapy Association. He is also certified in dry needling and the Selective Functional Movement Assessment. He moved to Denver right after school and started working at a local outpatient clinic treating mostly the spine and chronic pain. Chad is a former collegiate athlete and enjoys working with athletes returning to sport.

While outside of the clinic, Chad and his wife would rather be in the mountains hiking, snowshoeing or snowboarding. He and his wife also love to play and write music together whenever they can.

Lucy Burrage, PT, DPT, NCS

Lucy received her clinical doctorate of Physical Therapy degree in 2015 from Northeastern University in Boston MA. She has prior work experience in inpatient acute rehabilitation as well as current experience as an inpatient physical therapist at SJH. She is a board-certified neurological specialist through the American Physical Therapy Association and recently joined our outpatient clinic to focus on neurological specific rehab. She also runs our Neuro Special Interest Group to facilitate continuing education specific to neuro across our SCL system.

In her free time she enjoys all Colorado has to offer including hiking, snowboarding and fly fishing with her fiance and pup.

Janet Incitti, PT, OCS, MBA

Janet is a physical therapist with more than 20 years of experience in the outpatient and inpatient physical therapy setting. She received her physical therapy degree from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center and her MBA from St. Mary’s University. She is a board certified orthopedic specialist through the American Physical Therapy Association and is certified in Trigger Point Dry Needling (TPDN) for musculoskeletal issues.

In her free time, Janet enjoys golfing, hiking and cooking.

Mariel Little, PT, DPT, CLT

Mariel received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Colorado in 2019. She is certified as a Lymphedema Therapist and in dry needling. She became a physical therapist after working in international politics and education. Mariel was a collegiate volleyball player, earning All-American accolades from the National Strength and Conditioning Association for her training off the court. With her current passion for practicing and teaching yoga, Mariel incorporates principles of meditation and wellness to encourage holistic healing in addition to retraining movement patterns. Mariel speaks English and Spanish and provides physical therapy for St. Joe’s in the Health & Wellness Center and at the Cancer Center of Colorado.

Outside of physical therapy, Mariel loves to practice yoga, hike in the mountains with her husband and crochet.

Allison Lyle, PT, DPT

Allison holds a Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy from Regis University in Denver. She has advanced post-graduate training in pelvic health, including internal pelvic examinations, through the Herman and Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute. She is passionate about providing care for the whole person.

When not in clinic, Allison enjoys teaching and taking pilates classes, hiking and snuggling with her dogs.

Lukas Mehling, PT, DPT, OCS

Lukas has been treating patients in the Denver area for over 8 years with an emphasis on sports injuries and back pain. Originally from Ohio, he followed the sunshine and mountains after graduating from University of Cincinnati’s Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program. Lukas takes pride in making his treatment sessions as warm and welcoming as possible for his patients. In addition, Lukas is a certified in dry needling and a specialist in orthopedics.

When he is outside of clinic, Lukas enjoys spending time at the many parks around Denver and exploring the hiking trails in the mountains. He has a loving girlfriend

Michael Miller, PT, DPT, OCS

Mike received his clinical doctorate physical therapy degree in 2013 from University of Maryland in Baltimore. He worked for St Joseph Hospital as an inpatient physical therapist for a year prior to focusing on outpatient orthopedic physical therapy. He is a board-certified orthopedic specialist through the American Physical Therapy Association, certified in dry needling and completed a fellowship in manual therapy through North American Institute of Manual Therapy in May 2021. Mike is working on a terminal doctorate degree in physical therapy through Andrews University.

When not continuing his education, Mike enjoys uphill and downhill snow-sports as well as any outdoor activity with his wife and dog!

Laura Waples, PT, DPT, ATC

Laura received her clinical doctoral of physical therapy degree in 2017 from University of St. Augustine. She work as an outpatient physical therapist for 3 years prior to transitioning to St. Joseph. She is a certified athletic training and is also certified in dry needling. She continues to focus on evidence based practice and strives to grow within her progression as a holistic physical therapist.

In her free time, Laura enjoys running, hiking, biking and playing with her two dogs! She has a goal of running a half marathon in every state.

Cora Woogen, MS, DPT

Cora received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center after a career in education and rehabilitation of people with vision disability. She is qualified in Trigger Point Dry Needling, treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction and Pilates instruction.

A lifelong fitness enthusiast, Cora finds Pilates and yoga a wonderful support for hiking, swimming, dancing. Reading, movies, and attending live performances of music, dance and theater are favorite urban escapes.

Nancy Sanderlin, PT, CLT

Nancy is a Physical Therapist with over 26 years experience in wound care who has worked in both the hospital, acute rehab, SNF and outpatient settings. She received her physical therapy degree from Texas State University in 1995.

Nancy treats a wide variety of patients including those with lymphedema and wound care needs. She enjoys working with all ages and is especially passionate about restoring a patient’s mobility and assisting with wound healing.

Nancy is married and has one son. She spends most of her free time cheering on her son at his multiple sporting events.

Kathleen Mettel, MS CCC-SLP BCS-S

Kathleen is a speech-language pathologist who works in both the inpatient and outpatient settings at St. Joseph Hospital. She received her speech-language pathology degree from Purdue University and completed her clinical fellowship at the Cincinnati VA Medical Center. She is a board certified specialist in swallowing and swallowing disorders and is an active member of both the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and Colorado Speech-Language-Hearing Association (CSHA). Kathleen serves on the board of directors for CSHA.

In her free time, Kathleen enjoys spending time with her husband, dog, and bees.

Jessica O'Neill, MS, CCC-SLP

Jess is a speech-language pathologist who works in both the inpatient and outpatient settings at St. Joseph Hospital. She received her speech pathology degree from Portland State University and has experience working with adults in the acute, inpatient rehab and outpatient settings. Jess works with rehabilitation of swallowing, speech and cognition for people with head and neck cancer, post traumatic brain injuries including stroke, voice disorders and chronic cough. She utilizes a whole-person approach in her therapy and loves developing treatment plans that account for her patient's learning style and lifestyle.

Jess is a Virginia native who loves doing anything outside, listening to podcasts and eating good vegetarian food.

S. David White, MA CCC-SLP

S. David White is a speech-language pathologist with more than 2 decades experience. He sees patients both in the outpatient clinic and the inpatient acute care setting. He has skills in rehabilitation and maintenance of swallowing and eating in head and neck cancer patients, and cognitive, language and speech rehabilitation after brain injuries like stroke. David performs video swallow studies and is a clinical instructor in flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallow. He has worked closely with ENTs through his career for voice therapy, voice restoration post-laryngectomy, and chronic cough and vocal cord dysfunction treatments. He is motivated by supplying patients with tools and resources and encouraging them on their rehabilitation journey.

Outside of work, he's a dog and cat dad, a cyclist, camper and cross country skier with a love of baking and baked goods.

Shelby Denny, PT, DPT

Shelby received her clinical doctorate degree in physical therapy from the University of Evansville in Evansville, IN in 2015. She has worked at St Joseph Hospital since then as an inpatient and outpatient physical therapist. She now divides her clinical time as an inpatient therapist and outpatient oncology rehabilitation therapist. Shelby is also the supervisor of the inpatient physical therapy team. She has taken advanced education courses in the treatment of axillary cording and developed a prehabilitation program for outpatients in the oncology setting.

When not at work, Shelby enjoys hiking, running and traveling with her husband, Brian, and her dog, Yoshi.

Nancy Sanderlin, PT, CLT

Nancy is a Physical Therapist with over 26 years experience in wound care who has worked in both the hospital, acute rehab, SNF and outpatient settings. She received her physical therapy degree from Texas State University in 1995.

Nancy treats a wide variety of patients including those with lymphedema and wound care needs. She enjoys working with all ages and is especially passionate about restoring a patient’s mobility and assisting with wound healing.

Nancy is married and has one son. She spends most of her free time cheering on her son at his multiple sporting events.

Mariel Little, PT, DPT, CLT

Mariel received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Colorado in 2019. She is certified as a Lymphedema Therapist and in dry needling. She became a physical therapist after working in international politics and education. Mariel was a collegiate volleyball player, earning All-American accolades from the National Strength and Conditioning Association for her training off the court. With her current passion for practicing and teaching yoga, Mariel incorporates principles of meditation and wellness to encourage holistic healing in addition to retraining movement patterns. Mariel speaks English and Spanish and provides physical therapy for St. Joe’s in the Health & Wellness Center and at the Cancer Center of Colorado.

Outside of physical therapy, Mariel loves to practice yoga, hike in the mountains with her husband and crochet.

Mariel recibió su Doctorado de Terapia Física de la Universidad de Colorado en 2019. Ella es certificada como terapeuta de linfedema y agujas secas. Se hizo terapista física después de trabajar en política internacional y educación. Mariel era jugador de voleibol universitario, ganando elogios All-American de la Asociación de la Fuerza y Acondicionamiento por su entrenamiento fuera de la cancha. Con su pasión actual de practicar y enseñar yoga, Mariel incorpora principales de meditación y bienestar para apoyar la sanación holística mientras entrena patrones de movimiento. Mariel habla inglés y español y provee la terapia física en el Centro de Salud & Bienestar y el Centro de Cáncer de Colorado.

Afuera de la terapia física, a Mariel le encanta practicar yoga, ir de excursiones en las montañas con su esposo y hacer el ganchillo.

Karen Abitz, OTR

Karen graduated from CSU in 1991 in Occupational Therapy. She started her career at Lutheran Medical Center in the NICU and outpatient pediatrics. She also worked in Acute Care. After 10 years, Karen transferred to St Joseph Hospital. She has been in the system 29 years.

Karen has spent the majority of her time at St Joseph's in the NICU, seeing infants as young as 23 weeks gestation. She has also recently started an Infant Outpatient Feeding clinic at St. Joseph Hospital, seeing newly discharged babies for follow up feeding problems and swallow studies.

Karen spends most of her time outside of work with her young adult children, her grand puppies, and in the mountains camping and learning to fly fish. Her long term plan is to retire and move to the ocean.