Caylee Thornhill, PT, DPT

Born and raised in Lenexa, Kansas, Caylee is a dedicated physical therapist passionate about helping all individuals from young athletes to active adults return to the movement they love. Caylee earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Kinesiology from Kansas State University, where she competed on the K-State Women’s Soccer team, before completing her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Navigating her own injuries during her soccer career gave Caylee firsthand insight into the rehabilitation process, shaping her into a deeply empathetic clinician. Guided by a person-focused approach, Caylee tailors every session to her patients’ specific goals while keeping the recovery process engaging, empowering, and fun.

Education

  • Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, Kansas State University
  • Doctorate of Physical Therapy, University of Kansas Medical Center

Special Interests

  • Sports rehabilitation
  • Post-operative orthopedic care
  • Performance training for active adults
  • Soccer Athletes

Outside of the Clinic When she isn’t treating patients, Caylee enjoys working out, spending quality time with family and friends, traveling, and cheering on the Kansas City Chiefs and K-State Wildcats.

Claire Slechta, PT, DPT

Claire earned her bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and a certificate in Strength and Conditioning in 2022 from the University of Kansas. She received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2026 from the University of Kansas Medical Center. Since graduating, Claire has gained experience in orthopedic, sports, neurologic, and geriatric physical therapy. She enjoys working with a wide variety of conditions but has a special interest in knees, hips, ankles, and shoulders. Claire believes in providing patient centered care that empowers individuals to move with confidence, achieve their goals, and return to the activities they love. Outside of work, Claire enjoys staying active, running, playing volleyball, and pickleball.

My Education:

  • BS in Exercise Science and certificate in Strength and Conditioning – University of Kansas – 2022
  • Doctor of Physical Therapy – University of Kansas Medical Center – 2026

My Special Training and areas of interest:

  • Orthopedic Rehabilitation
  • Pre- and Post-Operative Rehabilitation
  • Sports Rehabilitation
  • Balance and Fall Prevention

Talk to me:

Trish Stark, PT, ATC

Trish earned her Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from St. Louis University in 1992. While at SLU, she worked with the college athletes and began to pursue an Athletic Training Certification. Upon graduation, she worked for a large hospital system and provided sports medicine to many local high schools in the KC area. She has spent the majority of her career working in outpatient orthopedics. She enjoys working with various types of patient populations of all ages. Trish is passionate about developing an individualized program for each client and providing a comprehensive approach to treating the body as a whole. She strives to empower her clients to achieve optimal function and comfort for long-term health. Trish also specializes in vestibular rehabilitation and has a certification from the American Institute of Balance. When not working, Trish enjoys cooking, traveling, outdoor exercise, and being with family and friends.

My Education:

  • BS of Science in Physical Therapy – St Louis University – 1992
  • Athletic Training Certification – 1993
  • Vestibular Rehabilitation and Concussion Certification from Institute of Balance 2022

My special training and areas of interest include:

  • Athletic Training/Sports Medicine
  • General outpatient orthopedics
  • Vestibular and Balance Rehabilitation

Talk to me

tstark@kcoi.com

 

Will Spengler, PT, DPT

Will earned his bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from Indiana University in 2014 (Go Hoosiers!), majoring in exercise science and minoring in psychology. While at Indiana, he met his wife, a native of Overland Park, and later followed her home to complete his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at the University of Kansas Medical Center in 2018. Since graduating, Will has gained experience in orthopedic, neurologic, and geriatric physical therapy. He brings a positive approach to rehab at KCOI, focusing on helping his patients identify goals while understanding the physical and mental challenges rehabilitation can present. He enjoys working with a wide variety of conditions but has a special interest in the lower extremities and shoulder. Outside of work, Will enjoys staying active outdoors and cooking.

My Education:

  • 2014: BS in Kinesiology. Major in Exercise Science and minor in Psychology
  • 2018: Doctor of Physical Therapy from The University of Kansas Medical Center

My special training and areas of interest include:

  • General orthopedics (pre and post operative)
  • Balance/stability training
  • Dry Needling

Margaret Dulek, PT

Margaret earned her Physical Therapy degree from Wichita State University. She has over 38 years of clinical experience in the outpatient setting with 26 years of vestibular experience. Margaret has a strong emphasis on regaining independence and function through specific exercises and manual therapy.

My Education:

  • BS degree in Physical Therapy – Wichita State University
  • Vestibular and Balance Training

My special training and areas of interest include:

  • General Orthopedics
  • Vestibular and Balance
  • Neurologic patient population

Talk to me:

mdulek@kcoi.com

 

 

Amy Wastler, MPT

Amy is a physical therapist specializing in knees, hips, shoulders, and ankles, as well as manual therapy and general orthopedics. She earned her BS in Biology and her Master of Physical Therapy from Rockhurst University.

My Education: 

  • BS in Biology from Rockhurst University 
  • Master of Physical Therapy from Rockhurst University 

Special Training and Area of Interest: 

  • General Orthopedics 

Talk to me:

awastler@kcoi.com 

Emily Tomlinson, PT, DPT, OCS

Emily earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from Drake University in 1999. She went on to earn her Master of Physical Therapy from Rockhurst University in 2006 and her Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of Kansas in 2010. Emily has worked exclusively in outpatient orthopedic physical therapy since 2006. She received her Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) certification from the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties in 2015, making her a content expert in orthopedic physical therapy and the top 6% of physical therapists nationwide with this advanced certification.

Emily divides her time between KCOI and Rockhurst University, where she has been an assistant professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program since 2013.

She enjoys working with students and clients of all ages to guide them in the benefits of physical therapy to stay active and healthy.

Emily’s daughter is a gymnast, and this drives her special interest in treating adolescent female athletes to work towards injury rehab and prevention in sports.

Emily enjoys spending time with her family and children at their various activities, hiking, traveling, and going to the lake.

My Education:

  • BA in Biology – Drake University – 1999
  • Master of Physical Therapy – Rockhurst University – 2006
  • Doctor of Physical Therapy – University of Kansas – 2010

My special training and areas of interest:

  • Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS)
  • Adolescent female athlete injury rehab and prevention
  • Video running analysis
  • Treatment of knee, hip, spine, shoulder, and foot/ankle

Talk to me:

etomlinson@kcoi.com

Hannah Rawson, PT, DPT

Hannah earned her bachelor’s degree in exercise science and movement science with minor in biochemical sciences in 2012 and her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2015, both from Missouri State University. Hannah moved to Kansas City and started her career and has spent her entire career working at KCOI where she has had the opportunity to treat a variety of orthopedic conditions and post-surgical populations. She enjoys treating a wide range of ages and orthopedic diagnoses that include foot/ankle, shoulder, hips, knees, and spine. She also enjoys working with clients on balance and fall prevention. She emphasizes a full body approach to achieving both functional and personal goals to maximize her patient’s quality of life.

Outside of work, Hannah likes to spend time with her husband and two children.

My Education:

  • BS in Exercise and Movement Science – Minor in Biochemical Sciences – Missouri State University – 2012
  • Doctor of Physical Therapy – Missouri State University – 2015

My special training and areas of interest:

  • General orthopedics
  • Sports medicine
  • Balance and fall prevention

Talk to me:

hrawson@kcoi.com

 

GA McCrave, MOTR/L

Garrett Ann “G.A.” is a Colorado native who graduated with a Master of Occupational Therapy from Rockhurst University. She has a passion for helping individuals get back to their daily/meaningful occupations and is all about putting the “fun” in functional. In her spare time, she loves sipping on coffee, cheering on her KU Jayhawks, and spending time with her family, friends, and Golden Retriever.

My Education:

  • BS in Exercise Science from the University of Kansas – 2018
  • Master of Occupational Therapy from Rockhurst University – 2020

My special training and areas of interest include:

  • Custom Orthosis Fabrication

Talk to me:

gamccrave@kcoi.com

 

Chris Karson, PT – Clinic Director

Chris earned his bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from the University of Kansas in 1984, but remains a loyal K-State Wildcat fan, having completed his pre-requisite program at KSU. The last 38 years of his career have been dedicated to specializing in orthopedic and sports medicine care, with the last 20 years spent here at KCOI.

A now-former distance runner, he has a strong interest in runners and endurance athletes and served on the organizing committee of the Kansas City Marathon for many years.

He has his certification in ASTYM®, which is an instrument-assisted soft tissue technique used to treat acute and chronic tendon and myofascial disorders. He is level one trained in dry needling.

Chris believes in a collaborative relationship between patient and therapist where each plays their part in the journey back to health.

A lifelong Kansas City area resident, he is the father of four and has five grandchildren. Outside interests include travel, woodworking, and fitness.

My Education:

  • BS in Physical Therapy – University of Kansas

My Special Training and areas of interest:

  • ASTYM® Certified
  • Level 1 Dry Needling Trained
  • Running and Endurance Athletes
  • Foot and ankle rehabilitation
  • Tendon and soft tissue disorders

Talk to me:

ckarson@kcoi.com