Our Team
Mission and Vision
Our passion is to better our patients, our team, and our community by building individuals who are stronger and more resilient.
We empower and equip individuals to pursue their goals.
Dr. Woody Lucas | DPT, OCS, Cert. DN Founder and Owner
Dr. Woody Lucas | DPT, OCS, Cert. DN Founder and Owner
Woody completed his Doctorate in Physical Therapy at the Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences, College of Medicine in Rochester, Minnesota in 2018. He graduated from Trinity Christian College with a B.A. in Exercise Science while playing soccer. He founded PursuitPT in 2021.
In addition to staying current on neck and back pain research, Woody pursued an Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency in order to further specialize in orthopedic physical therapy. He has also completed continuing education for the treatment of back and neck pain. In 2020, Woody achieved the prestigious honor of becoming board certified as an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist.
Woody prefers to take a hands-on approach to therapy to assist his patients in meeting their goals. His areas of interest include back pain, neck pain, jaw pain, CrossFit/fitness athletes, sports injury rehabilitation, running-related injuries, and post-surgical rehabilitation. As a former collegiate soccer player, Woody also enjoys working with soccer athletes. Woody lives in Hobart with his wife, daughter, son, and dog and enjoys activities such as exercise, backpacking, camping, CrossFit, and sports.
CERTIFICATIONS AND CONTINUING EDUCATION
- Doctor of Physical Therapy
- OCS – Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist
- DN – Certification in Dry Needling from the Spinal Manipulation and Dry Needling Institute of the American Academy of Manipulative Therapy, Montgomery, Alabama
- Clinical Management of the Fitness Athlete Course through the Institute of Clinical Excellence
- Certified Clinical Instructor by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
- Participation in an Orthopedic Residency Program through Mayo Clinic
- Institute of Clinical Excellence Cervical and Lumbar Spine Management Courses
- Member of the APTA and Academy of Orthopedic Physical Therapy
Dr. Kristine Hepner | DPT
Dr. Kristine Hepner | DPT
Kristine obtained her Doctorate in Physical Therapy at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 2017. She graduated from University of Tampa with a B.S. in Exercise Science while participating in college swimming.
She has taken additional coursework in Dry Needling and McKenzie Method for the lumbar spine and has a special interest in ankle and foot rehabilitation.
Kristine enjoys helping patients return to their prior level of function at home and within the community. She has treated patients of all ages in a variety of clinical areas including: pediatric orthopedics, foot/ankle pain and dysfunction, post-operative, balance training, and return to sport rehabilitation. She practices an evidence-based, patient-centered approach to treatment with a focus on functional strengthening, patient education, and facilitating an active lifestyle.
Kristine lives in Crown Point with her husband, daughter, and labrador retriever. Outside of the clinic, she enjoys hiking, cycling on her Peloton, and spending time with family.
CERTIFICATIONS AND CONTINUING EDUCATION
- Pain Neuroscience Education
- Examination and Treatment of Running Injuries: Video Gait Analysis
- Myopain Trigger Point Dry Needling
- McKenzie Method: Lumbar Spine
- Grey Institute Foot/Ankle Specialization
Rebecca Anderson | PTA
Rebecca Anderson | PTA
Rebecca completed her Physical Therapist Assistant schooling at Ivy Tech Community College in Crown Point, IN in 2022. She has over 4 years of experience working in an outpatient physical therapy setting and prior to that she has spent time working as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor. She joined the PursuitPT Team in 2023.
Rebecca believes that physical therapy is an opportunity to empower patients to become the strongest, healthiest version of themselves through individualized, goal focused treatment plans. She has experience treating patients of all fitness levels with a wide variety of orthopedic conditions. She has a special interest in treating patients who are experiencing back pain, neck pain, TMJ and sports related injuries.
Outside of the clinic, Rebecca enjoys spending time with her family and watching her son participate in baseball and football. She also loves cycling on her Peloton and spending time outdoors in the garden.
Dr. Nicole Gilbert | DPT
Dr. Nicole Gilbert | DPT
Nicole earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy at Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois in 2023. She completed her undergraduate education at Indiana University Northwest where she obtained a B.S. in Biology with a minor in Psychology.
She has a special interest in treating spine and pelvic conditions. Nicole has completed specialty training in Dry Needling as well as Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation through Herman and Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute.
Nicole is passionate about helping her patients achieve their goals. Her treatment approach is based on current evidence tailored to patient needs with an emphasis on patient education. Her areas of interest include back pain, hip pain, pelvic pain, bowel or bladder dysfunction, pelvic organ prolapse, and pre-and post-partum care. Nicole lives in Crown Point with her boyfriend and puppy and enjoys hiking, biking, and paddle boarding.
CERTIFICATIONS AND CONTINUING EDUCATION
- Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation through Herman and Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute
- Dry Needling Certified through Intricate Art Spine and Body Solutions
- Blood Flow Restriction certification through BFR Pros
Megan Wells | PTA
Megan Wells | PTA
Megan completed her Physical Therapist Assistant schooling at Ivy Tech Community College in Crown Point, IN in 2018. She has over 6 years of experience working as a PTA, and before that served as a physical therapy technician for an additional 2 years. She joined the PursuitPT team in 2024.
Megan has also completed a certification for balance and vestibular training, including BPPV in her outpatient experience. She especially enjoys working within orthopedic populations and continuing to further her treatment ability. She enjoys connecting with people and being a positive presence to provide hope and give patients the tools they need to help them reach their maximum potential.
Megan lives in Valpo with her husband, baby boy, and 2 pups. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, and being surrounded by nature whether that be through hiking, kayaking, or camping. Megan also has a passion for traveling and loves being immersed in unfamiliar cultures.
Dr. Kyla Bender | DPT
Dr. Kyla Bender | DPT
Kyla obtained her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Hanover College in 2024 in Hanover, Indiana. She completed her undergraduate degree from Indiana University Northwest with a B.A. in Biology with a minor in psychology. Prior to achieving her doctoral degree, she spent 3 years as a rehabilitation technician in an outpatient setting.
She has a passion to serve the community through optimizing patient’s movement to reach their goals. Kyla believes that therapy is designed to be a personalized experience by using evidence-based practice and patient education to encourage patients to live their lives to the fullest. She has an interest in treating the orthopedic population and continuing education regarding pelvic floor pain specifically pre and post-partum care.
Kyla lives in Hobart with her husband and golden retriever. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, exploring new coffee shops, and walking and running on outdoor trails.
Jomaria Burns | Patient Services Coordinator, Office Manager
Jomaria Burns | Patient Services Coordinator, Office Manager
Jomaria joins Pursuit PT as the newest member to our patient service coordinator team. She finds joy in helping our clients and staying connected with the community. She strives to make our clients’ experience here at PursuitPT as enjoyable as she can, and looks forward to watching them meet their goals.
Graduating highschool in 2016, Jomaria has 3 years of athletic training experience under her belt. Going forward, she attended Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas for a year – also pursuing and practicing athletic training.
Jomaria enjoys spending time with her nephew, family, and friends. In her free time, Jomaria enjoys decorating parties with her intricate balloon decor. She also enjoys DIY projects, traveling and cooking. Jomaria is excited to start her journey with PursuitPT and looks forward to helping our business thrive!
Ellen Anderson | Patient Services Coordinator
Ellen Anderson | Patient Services Coordinator
Ellen is a member of our patient services coordinator team. She has a strong background in business, working for 33 years for Rockwell Automation. She was born and raised in Hobart and it has always been her home.
She loves being part of the PursuitPT team and helping patients meet their goals.
She was married to Jerry for 56 years and has 2 children, 6 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren! She enjoys spending time with her family and is involved in ministry at her church. She joined the PursuitPT team in 2021.
Kristy Grady | Patient Services Coordinator
Kristy Grady | Patient Services Coordinator
Kristy is a member of our Patient Service Coordinator team. She has over 8 years of experience in healthcare and the fitness industry. She has experience as a group fitness instructor, personal trainer and gym manager. She is NASM certified personal trainer and corrective exercise specialist. She also spent 3 years between Purdue University and PUC studying Hospitality and Tourism Management.
She enjoys making connections with people and encouraging them to reach their goals. She loves being a part of team that truly cares for people and helps them to continue to do the activities that they love.
Outside of the clinic, Kristy loves to spend time with her husband and two boys. When she’s not watching her son at a swim meet, she is a foodie, loves to travel and is an avid Crossfitter.
Emma Gifford | Biller, Patient Services Coordinator
Emma Gifford | Biller, Patient Services Coordinator
Emma is PursuitPT’s Biller as well as a member of the Patient Service Coordinator team. She believes that delivering timely and accurate billing information is a vital part of providing excellent patient care.
Emma obtained her bachelor’s degree in Health Services Management from Indiana University Northwest in 2022 while also working in an outpatient physical therapy clinic. Prior to that, she proudly served in the United States Navy for four years. While stationed on the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, Emma served as the IT department help desk supervisor.
Outside of the clinic, Emma enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters. She enjoys traveling all over the country to visit the lifelong friends she made in the Navy. In her free time, she loves to read and attend her monthly book club.
