Whitefish Sport Center Staff
Scott Ruta, PT, MPT, ATC, CPed
(Owner of Whitefish Physical, Occupational, & Speech Therapy)
Education:
Scott earned his Master's Degree in Physical Therapy from Washington University in St. Louis, MO. He also holds a B.S. in Athletic Training from Carthage College in Kenosha, WI.
Memberships:
American Physical Therapy Association, National Athletic Trainer’s Association, Whitefish Chamber of Commerce.
Continuing Education:
Medical Screening for Physical Therapists, McKenzie Mechanical Diagnosis and Treatment Part A, Functional Relationships of the Lower Half, Richard Jackson Pelvic Assessment, Big Sky Sports Medicine Conference, Recognition and Treatment of Shoulder Joint Injuries, Practical Nutrition for Fitness Professionals, Lumbo-pelvic Integration, Therapeutic Yoga, Vestibular Rehabilitation, Take the Next Step, & The Running Course.
Community Involvement:
Lecturer to Flathead Community College on Body Mechanics, training high school athletes for fall sports, remodeled high-school weight room adding 50% more space, Big Brothers Big Sisters, creator and director of the annual Whitefish Friends & Family Fun Run/Walk.
Hobbies:
Fly fishing, hunting, skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, backpacking, and working with high-school and other local athletes.
Personal Quote:
"There’s nothing more rewarding than helping people regain their health and return to the activities they enjoy. When patients who have never found relief through other therapists and treatments come to me and I’m able to help them, I know I’m in the right profession."
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Benjamin Kingan, PT, DPT, CSCS
(Physical Therapist)
Education:
Ben earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Washington University in St. Louis, Mo. He also has a B.S. in Kinesiology from the University of Illinois.
Memberships:
American Physical Therapy Association, National Strength and Conditioning Association.
Continuing Education:
The North American Institute of Orthopedic Manual Therapy: Detailed Biomechanical Assessment & Manual Therapy Techniques of the Lumbar Spine, Lower Thoracic Spine, Hip, Knee, Foot, and Ankle, Big Sky Sports Medicine Conference- Recognition and Treatment of Shoulder Joint Injuries.
Community Involvement:
Big Brothers Big Sisters, Special Olympics, Big Mountain Race League.
Hobbies:
Hunting, fishing, hiking/backpacking, mountain biking, snowboarding/skiing, water skiing/wakeboarding, football, basketball, and golf.
Personal Quote:
"The most rewarding part of my job is helping patients return to an active lifestyle and living each day to the fullest. I enjoy nothing more than seeing ex-patients out in the community, golfing, hiking, skiing, and more."
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Mike Carey, LAT, ATC
(Certified and Licensed Athletic Trainer, Owner of Flathead Performance Training)
Education:
Mike graduated from Eastern Washington University with a B.S. in both Human Biology and Sports Medicine/Athletic Training.
Distinction:
Athletic Trainer Taylor Cup Champion Tacoma Sabercats (WCHL) - 1998-1999, Athletic Trainer for Taylor Cup Champion Fresno Falcons (WCHL) – 2001-2002, Selected as Athletic Trainer for 1998-1999 WCHL All Star Team.
Memberships:
National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). Mike is a past member of the Professional Hockey Athletic Trainers Society (PHATS).
Continuing Education:
NATA Clinical Symposium, PHATS Clinical Symposium, Big Sky Sports Medicine Conference- Recognition and Treatment of Shoulder Joint Injuries, Athletes with Cardiac Issues, Management of Sudden Cardiac Arrest, Working with the Industrial Athlete, Gleno-humeral Internal Rotation Deficit and the Throwing Athlete.
Community Involvement:
Flathead Soccer Club Board Member and Coach, provide Athletic Training services for Flathead Soccer Clubs’ Three Blind Ref’s Tournament.
Hobbies:
Hockey, soccer, hunting, mountain biking and golfing.
Personal Quote:
"The most rewarding part of my career is helping each patient or client to realize the true potential of their inner athlete, not only for ‘sports’ as many define them, but for their occupation and other activities that they may enjoy."
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Emily Smith, PT, DPT
Education:
Emily earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree from Washington University in St. Louis, MO. She also holds a B.S. in Kinesiology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Memberships:
American Physical Therapy Association - Women’s Health Section
Community Involvement:
Golden Agers balance class instructor
Hobbies:
Road biking, mountain biking, hiking, skiing, sewing, and gardening.
Personal Quote:
"Seeing my patients return to the things they love to do gives me great satisfaction. I feel privileged to be a part of their recovery, and am continuously inspired by the people around me."
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Laurel Grady, PT, MSPT
(Inpatient Rehab Supervisor at North Valley Hospital, Physical Therapist)
Education:
Laurel earned her Master's of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Montana. She also has a B.A. in English from the University of Minnesota.
Memberships:
Co-chair Recycling Committee, North Valley Hospital.
Continuing Education:
Geriatric Strengthening and Movement Re-education for Mobility, Pharmacology for Physical Therapists, Wound Care Challenges, A Systemic Treatment Approach to Wound Care, Current and Popular Concepts in the Evaluation and Non-Operative Treatment of the Lumbar Spine, The Diagnosis and Treatment of Movement Impairment Syndromes Level 1, Manual Physical Therapy: From Research to Practice.
Community Involvement:
Whitefish Co-ed Softball, Community volunteer work including Whitefish Theater Company.
Hobbies:
Alpine, telemark, and cross-country skiing, hiking, mountain biking, rafting, water sports, tennis, softball, reading and music.
Personal Quote:
"Helping people go home to the activities they enjoy, after surgery or illness in the hospital, has presented me with challenges and given me rewards I never thought possible."
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Brooke White, M.S., CCC-SPL
(Speech Therapist)
Education:
Brooke earned her Master's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Arizona. She also has her B.S. in Speech-Language Pathology from Portland State University with a minor in Spanish.
Memberships:
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Montana Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
Continuing Education:
Advanced Dysphagia Training Workshop, Counseling Patients and Families with Language Impairments, Advanced Course in Pediatric Dysphagia: Evaluation & Treatment, Advanced SCERTS Training for Pediatrics with Autism Spectrum Disorder, & Neuroanatomy of Memory and Functional Treatment Approaches. Hanen Certification: It Takes Two to Talk (family-centered therapy for early linguistic and pre-linguistic skills). Neuro Muscular Electrical Stimulation Certification (NMES) Certification "Vital Stim" to enhance swallowing in individuals with dysphagia.
Community Involvement:
Held family support groups for individuals suffering from neurological trauma, led community education forums on "Traumatic Brain Injury" and "Executive Function Impairments," offers "Public Speaking Groups" for individuals suffering from traumatic brain injuries, and conducts "It Takes Two to Talk" family training for children with language delays.
Hobbies:
Everything on skis (alpine, telemark, classic, and skate skiing), mountain biking, backpacking, fly fishing, rafting, and kayaking. She also loves music and playing the guitar.
Personal Quote:
"Few people truly understand the scope of my profession. I work with all ages with emphasis on speech-language, cognition, swallowing/feeding, and voice. Whether I’m helping to foster a bond between mother and child through learned communication techniques or watching an individual who suffered from a stroke flourish and become part of the community again, each day I am reminded why I became a Speech Therapist."
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Kathy Wing, OTR/L
(Occupational Therapist)
Education:
Cum Laude with a Bachelor's Degree in Occupational Therapy, from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee.
Memberships:
American Occupational Therapy Association, National Board of Occupational Therapy.
Continuing Education:
Physical Agent Modalities, Pressure Ulcer Prevention Strategies, Evaluation and Treatment of Visual Perception Dysfunction, Low Vision: Occupational Therapy Intervention, Big Sky Sports Medicine Conference, Treatment of Flexor/Extensor Tendons and Tendon Transfers, Dynamic Splinting, Rehabilitation of the Thumb, Crush Injuries of the Upper Extremities, Upper Quadrant Screening for Repetitive Stress Injuries, Practical Interventions for Hands, Cognitive Rehabilitation, Management of the Shoulder in Hemiplegia, Rehabilitation of the Hand.
Community Involvement:
United Way panel participant, church youth group leader, speaker at various community adult health seminars and presented at a professional education course.
Hobbies:
Hiking, home improvement, writing, home decorating, camping, working with wood, drying herbs and flowers, sewing, nature photography and gardening.
Personal Quote:
"It is both a privilege and a joy to help individuals discover how to reach out from the inside and experience the consequences of their success."
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Faith Corpron, NCBTMB
(Massage Therapist)
Education:
Faith earned her Certification at the Montana Institute of Massage Therapy in Kalispell. She earned her National Certification via an exam in Helena, Montana.
Memberships:
American Massage Therapy Association.
Continuing Education:
Balinese Massage at Jamu Asian Spa Rituals.
Community Involvement:
Free chair massages at multiple charity benefits including Cancer Walk/Run and the Whitefish Friends & Family Fun Run/Walk.
Hobbies:
Massage, going to the movies, and watching and helping her husband race.
Personal Quote:
"Feeling a natural pull towards a healthcare profession, I chose Massage Therapy. Just giving an individual one moment of relief makes my day and reminds me why I chose this profession."
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Deborah Pacheco
(Office Manager)
Background:
Born and raised in Alaska, Deb found the Flathead Valley to be pretty comparable and made it her home in 2001. She then married Tom Pacheco of Whitefish and together they have a son named Gabriel. Deb has worked for Whitefish Physical, Occupational, & Speech Therapy since 2006.
Hobbies:
Hunting, hiking and fishing with husband, Tom. Deb also enjoys biking, running, triathlons, and lifting.
Personal Quote:
"Working at Whitefish Physical Therapy has been a perfect fit for me. I love health and fitness, and there is no other job where I can work in an office and still build relationships with patients, see them obtain their health and fitness goals, and feel like I have encouraged them in some way, too."
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