Occupational Health Employee Spotlights
Welcome to our Tri State Nursing Occupational Health & Therapy Employee spotlight! Every couple of weeks, we will take the opportunity to highlight all of the incredible members on the Occ Health team. Each staff member brings skills, experience, and passion in helping the lives of others! Follow along to get to know the staff!
Grace Wilmes MOT, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Where did you graduate from?
College of Saint Mary's
What does a typical day as an Occupational Therapist look like for you?
I spend my day treating various injuries to the hand, wrist, and elbow.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
The most rewarding part of my job is watching patients recover from injuries and meet personal and professional goals!
What do you enjoy doing outside of work to unwind?
Outside of work, I enjoy being outdoors, reading, biking, and spending time with my family & friends.
What's a fun fact most people don't know about you?
A fun fact about me is that I have 6 sisters!
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be & why?
If I could travel anywhere, I would visit all of the Nationals Parks in the USA because it is my goal to visit all 64!
Megan Miller, PTA
Physical Therapist Assistant
Where did you graduate from?
Briar Cliff University with my Sports Science degree & WITCC with Physical Therapist Assistant degree.
What initially sparked your interest in Occupational Health and Therapy?
I enjoy helping others when the focus is getting each patient back to their daily activities with less pain & increased mobility.
What is a typical day like for you in your role?
A typical day includes focusing on strength & endurance as it fits into each patient's injury with focus also on increasing their mobility and ability to perform work duties & daily activities outside of work.
What advice would you give to someone interested in pursuing a career in occupational health?
For those interested in this field of work I would suggest taking time to shadow in different areas of focus (outpatient setting, hospital, nursing home, etc) to find what environment best fits your interests.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work to unwind?
Outside of work I love spending time with my family. We love to spend time boating in the summer as well as getting in a few rounds of golf. Our kids ages 6 & 2 keep us on our toes and love to spend time outdoors as well!
What’s a fun fact about you that most people don’t know?
I played softball throughout my college years
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
I would travel to Australia - beautiful country & so much to explore!
Cassandra DeBoer, PT
PT, DPT,VCS-1, SASTM cert. CEAS, COHC
Where did you graduate from?
South Dakota State University with Bachelor’s degree and Briar Cliff University with Doctorate in Physical Therapy.
What initially sparked your interest in Occupational Health and Therapy?
I like the opportunity to continue my career in a smaller private outpatient clinic. I was interested in learning more about occupational health and how I could help individuals return to work.
What is a typical day like for you in your role?
I focus on patient/client treatments, and day to day duties at the clinic in Sioux Falls. I enjoy the diversity of treatments that are individualized for each patient/client walking through the door.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of your job?
Motivating patients to regain their strength, and functional mobility so they can return to their jobs after injury.
What advice would you give to someone interested in pursuing a career in occupational health?
Do not be afraid of trying something new. Be open minded about learning more about occupational health.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work to unwind?
Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I enjoy anything outdoors, sports, boating, sitting and soaking up sunshine. I also enjoy traveling and seeing different parts of the world.
What’s a fun fact about you that most people don’t know?
I have climbed every stair to the top of the Eiffel Tower.
What’s something people might be surprised to learn about you?
I have hiked to sit with gorillas in Kisoro in Africa.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
See the 7 Wonders of World, and the Pyramids; to see and learn more about different regions of the world.
Michelle Wood, PTA
PTA cert., CEAS, AOEAS, HEAS
Can you tell us where you graduated from?
Northeast Community College PTA Program
What initially sparked your interest in Occupational Health and Therapy?
I like working with people that are motivated and want to put in the work to get better to be able to return to their full time position.
What is a typical day like for you in your role?
I work onsite at a facility. I do Post Offer Employment Testing for employees getting hired. I also treat employees that get injured while at work.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of your job?
The most rewarding aspect is helping people not only recover from an injury but come back stronger to their job.
What advice would you give to someone interested in pursuing a career in occupational health?
The days may seem repetitive but there is always something that will catch you off guard. Prepare for anything and everything. Occupational Health can be broad so explore all areas if possible.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work to unwind?
I love spending time with my husband, almost 3 year old son, and black lab.
In the summer my favorite place to be is at the lake jet skiing or sitting by a bonfire.
What’s a fun fact about you that most people don’t know?
I was a dancer and played softball for most of my childhood.
What’s something people might be surprised to learn about you?
I had my son at 30 weeks and we spent 8 weeks in the NICU.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
I would love to travel anywhere tropical full of marine life. I have always wanted to swim with dolphins or go whale watching.
Ryan Meyer, PTA
PTA
Can you tell us where you graduated from?
I earned my PTA degree from Clarkson College after completing my studies at Wayne State College.
What initially sparked your interest in Occupational Health and Therapy?
Growing up, I was deeply involved in sports, but a leg injury in both eighth grade and my sophomore year led me to experience physical therapy firsthand. Those experiences sparked my passion for the field.
What is a typical day like for you in your role?
In my current role, I focus on patient care, conduct Post Offer Employment Tests (POETs), and make it a priority to offer a warm, encouraging presence.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of your job?
The most fulfilling part of my job is witnessing patients regain their prior level of function (PLOF)—hopefully with a few laughs along the way.
What advice would you give to someone interested in pursuing a career in occupational health?
For anyone considering a career in therapy, my best advice is to shadow professionals in the area you’re interested in. Getting firsthand experience will provide invaluable insight into the daily responsibilities of a therapist.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work to unwind?
Beyond the office, I thrive in the great outdoors—whether I'm on the field playing sports or getting my hands dirty on the farm. I've nailed a hole-in-one, ventured out on deep-sea fishing expeditions, and even taken the exhilarating leap of skydiving.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
One of my biggest goals is to visit every NFL stadium, and I've already checked five off my list!