Staff
Bruce Peterson, Physical Therapist
Bruce has been the co-owner of Longview Physical & Sports Therapy since 2004. He has nearly three decades of professional experience and has received certifications from the North American Institute of Orthopaedic Manual Therapists and from the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialists. He is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Therapy and is a board certified orthopedic specialist. In fact, Bruce is among only 37 physical therapists in the State of Washington who have qualified for Fellowship in the American Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapists.
Bruce started his professional career with Longview Physicians Physical Therapy Services. He later worked for St. John Medical Center and HealthSouth Rehabilitation. In his spare time, Bruce enjoys playing golf, bicycling, and woodworking.
Dave Knoeppel, Physical Therapist and Certified Athletic TrainerDave graduated from the University of Kansas in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education. He later completed masters programs at the University of Arizona (athletic training) and the University of Indianapolis (physical therapy). He is a licensed physical therapist and a certified athletic trainer and a member of both the American Physical Therapy Association and the National Athletic Trainers Association.Before joining with Bruce Peterson to form Longview Physical & Sports Therapy in 2004, Dave worked for HealthSouth, Providence Sports Medicine Clinic, Sunnyvale Physical Therapy & Sports Injury Center, and Community Hospital Center for Sports Medicine. He has conducted numerous workshops and injury prevention seminars.
Dave’s skill and experience have given him the opportunity to work as an athletic trainer at a wide range of high-profile events, including the Pan-American Games Track and Field Trials, the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials, the Goodwill Games, the Pizza Hut Basketball Classic, the National AAU Track Federation Track and Field Championships, and the International Decathalon-Pentathalon Track Meet.
Dave is active in his church and enjoys working as a volunteer athletic trainer at Castle Rock High School.
George Palmer, Physical TherapistGeorge graduated from the University of California at Berkeley in 1975 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy from the University of California at San Francisco in 1978. He has nearly 30 years of experience in the field and is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association. From 1979 to 1984, he worked with current LPST co-owner Bruce Peterson at Longview Physicians Physical Therapy. He then moved to Sacramento, California, where he established his own business: Mid-Town Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation. He later worked at Sutter General Hospital, Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital, Good Samaritan Hospital, Back Education Sports Therapy and St. John Medical Center before coming to Longview Physical & Sports Therapy in 2006.
George enjoys working with senior citizens and vertigo/vestibular patients. He has a great deal of experience with general orthopedic therapy and athletic injury rehabilitation. In his spare time, George enjoys traveling, playing golf, and working on his 1965 Mustang.
Ed Earnest , Certified Athletic TrainerEd grew up in Longview and attended R.A. Long High School and Lower Columbia College. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education/Athletic Training from Brigham Young University in 1989. He then completed a Master of Science program in Exercise Science/Athletic Training at BYU in 1992. He served as a graduate athletic trainer for the Cougars from 1988-1990.Before coming to Longview Physical & Sports Therapy in 2005, Ed worked as staff athletic trainer for New Ulm Medical Center in New Ulm, Minnesota, and for HealthSouth Physical Therapy in Longview. Ed is a certified athletic trainer and a member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association. He has been an examiner for the NATA’s Board of Certification since 1991.
He has taught courses in sports medicine at Kelso High School and prevention and care of athletic injuries at Lower Columbia College. Ed’s interests include mountain biking, basketball, camping, skiing, and custom cabinetry.
Dr. John Kowalski, Physical TherapistJohn completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration at Marquette University (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) in 2007 and a Doctorate of Physical Therapy – also at Marquette – in 2009. His clinical experience includes working at the University of Chicago Medical Center (Chicago, Illinois); Five Corner’s Physical Therapy (Cedarburg, Wisconsin); Aurora Lakeland Medical Centers (Elkhorn, Wisconsin); and VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System (Ann Arbor, Michigan). He previously served as fundraising coordinator for Georgia State-Marquette Challenge in Milwaukee.
John began working at Longview Physical & Sports Therapy in 2009. His hobbies include biking and coaching.
Dr. Nichole Winiger, Physical TherapistNichole earned a Bachelor of Science degree (cum laude) at Washington State University in 2006 and a Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2009. Her clinical experience includes stints at St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center (Lewiston, Idaho); Kaiser Permanente (Portland, Oregon); Walton Rehabilitation (Augusta, Georgia); and Oregon Health Science University (Portland, Oregon). She joined the staff at Longview Physical & Sports Therapy in 2009.
Nichole enjoys snow skiing, running, and hiking, as well as tap, jazz, and ballet dancing.
Suzanne Gerhart, Physical Therapist
Suzanne graduated from the University of Oregon in 1992 with bachelor’s degrees in biology and Spanish. She then earned a Master of Science in Physical Therapy from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1995. Before coming to LPST in 2008, she worked as a physical therapist at Rebound/Southwest Washington Medical Center, Weyerhaeuser Company, and Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU), where she was the primary therapist for the trauma, general medicine, oncology, and transplant teams.
Suzanne has taught anatomy, physiology, and biology at Mount Hood Community College. She has experience working with patients who are rehabilitating from orthopedic and neurological surgeries, motor vehicle and industrial accidents, and sprain and strain injuries.
She enjoys gardening, outdoor activities, and spending time with family.
Dawn Deering, Physical Therapist Assistant
Dawn completed the Physical Therapist Assistant program at Mount Hood Community College in 1998. She worked at HealthSouth and St. John Medical Center before coming to Longview Physical & Sports Therapy in 2004. Her clinical experience includes work at Cascade Park Care Center, St. Vincent Hospital and Medical Center, and Meadow Park Health and Specialty Care Center.She has a wide range of experience treating people with chronic back issues. In many instances, encouraging people to make a few changes in their daily routine can lead them to a healthier life. One of her goals is to motivate people to help themselves.
Dawn and her husband have two daughters. She enjoys jogging, fishing, camping, going to the beach, and spending time with family.
Clint Parham, Physical Therapist Assistant
Clint attended Lower Columbia College and later earned an Associates Degree in Applied Sciences (Physical Therapy Assistant) from Mount Hood Community College in 2006. Before coming to LP&ST, he gained work experience at St. John Medical Center, Health South, and People First Skilled Nursing Facility. Clint is a physical therapy assistant and a member of the American Physical Therapy Association. Before entering the medical profession, he served for ten years in the United States Navy.
Clint volunteers at Community House in Longview and also coaches t-ball and soccer. In his spare time, he enjoys mountain biking, golfing, and riding ATVs.