Meet Our Staff Premiere - Officers John Woodard, PT, CEO Tony Rubba, ATC, President Teressa Rutherford, VPA Lara Hotchkiss, PTA, VPO Kyle Johnson, ATC, VPPR Premiere - Downtown           Gary Gummerman, PT Nate Squier, DPT Shawn Blanton, PTA Dena Nance, ATC Amber Chance Jennifer Holman Steven Rutherford Premiere - West Ryan Schallenberg, PT, ATC Ryan Worrall, PTA Coartney Foster Premiere - Virden Erin Gooch, DPT Sara Durbin, PTA Lisa Boone     John Woodard is co-owner and CEO of Premiere Physical Therapy. He is a Physical Therapist and treats patients as needed at all three facilities. As CEO he oversees the daily operations of the entire organization and is responsible for the company’s financial planning and expansion. John obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Illinois - Chicago (UIC) in 1995. John is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and is CPR-certified. John’s work experience includes: Physical Therapist, Doctors Hospital, Springfield, 1995-1997. Owner/Partner/CEO, Premiere Physical Therapy, 1997-present.   Tony Rubba is co-owner and President of Premiere Physical Therapy. He is a Certified Athletic Trainer. Tony obtained an Associate’s Degree from Atlantic Community College in 1972. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science with a minor in Athletic Training from Mankato State University in 1974. Tony is a member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association and is CPR-certified. Tony’s work experience includes: Assistant Athletic Trainer, New Orleans Saints Football Club, 1974-1977.  Head Athletic Trainer, Atlantic Community College, Mays Landing, NJ, 1977-1980.  Head Athletic Trainer, Ochsner Clinic, New Orleans, LA, 1985-1990.  Owner/Partner, Heritage Rehabilitation Clinic, Springfield, IL, 1990-1994.  Certified Athletic Trainer, US Olympic Volunteer Program, Colorado Springs, CO, 1993, worked with men’s gymnastics, men’s/women’s judo, men’s weightlifting.  Certified Athletic Trainer, US Olympic Festival, San Antonio, TX, 1995, worked with equestrian and men’s/women’s track and field.  Head Athletic Trainer, Springfield Junior Blues Hockey Club, North American Hockey League, 7 seasons. Head Athletic Trainer, Doctors Hospital Sports Medicine, Springfield, 1994-1997. Owner/Partner/President, Premiere Physical Therapy, 1997-Present.   Teressa Rutherford is our Vice-President of Administration. Teressa started as a receptionist in 2001 and has worked her way up to the VPA position. Teressa is in charge of the financial operations of the organization as well as overseeing all personnel issues. She is CPR-certified. Teressa’s work experience includes: Receptionist, Springfield Clinic, Springfield, 2000. Receptionist, Premiere Physical Therapy, 2001-2003. Accounts Manager, Premiere Physical Therapy, 2003-2004. Vice President of Administration, Premiere Physical Therapy, 2004-present.   Lara Hotchkiss is a Physical Therapist Assistant and Premiere’s Vice-President of Operations. She oversees the clinical operations of all three of Premiere's clinics as well as treating patients at our West facility. Lara earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Millikin University in 1997 and an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science-Physical Therapist Assistant from Lincoln Land Community College in 1999. She is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and is CPR-certified. Lara’s work experience includes: Physical Therapist Assistant, Memorial Medical Center, Springfield, 2000-2001. Physical Therapist Assistant, Premiere Physical Therapy, 2002-present. Vice-President of Operations, Premiere Physical Therapy, 2004-present.    Kyle Johnson is a Certified Athletic Trainer and serves as Premiere’s Vice-President of Public Relations. He coordinates the company’s marketing and public relations efforts to increase business and enhance Premiere's standing in the community. Kyle obtained a Bachelor ’s Degree in Athletic Training from Illinois State University in 1993 and a Master’s Degree in Exercise Physiology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) in 1995. He is a member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association and is CPR-certified. Kyle’s work experience includes: Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer at UAB, 1993-1995. Worked with Division I Football, Baseball, and Basketball. Certified Athletic Trainer, St. John’s Mercy Medical Center, St. Louis, MO, 1996-2004. Head Athletic Trainer, Parkway South High School, St. Louis, MO, 1996-1999. Head Athletic Trainer, St. Louis Ambush Indoor Soccer Club of the National Professional Soccer League, 1999-2000. Certified Athletic Trainer, Premiere Physical Therapy, 2004-present. Vice-President of Public Relations, Premiere Physical Therapy, 2004-present.   Gary Gummerman is a Physical Therapist and Clinical Manager at our Downtown facility. He performs initial evaluations and develops plans of care for all of his patients. Gary earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from Augustana College in 2001 and his Master's Degree in Physical Therapy from Mayo School of Health Sciences in 2003. He is CPR-certified. Gary's work experience includes: Physical Therapist, Madelia Community Hospital, Madelia, MN, 2003-2007. Physical Therapist, Premiere Physical Therapy, 2007-present. Clinical Manager, Premiere Physical Therapy-Downtown, 2008-present.   Nate Squier is a Physical Therapist at our Downtown facility. He performs initial evaluations and develops plans of care for all of his patients. Nate earned his Bachelor of Biological Science Degree from South Dakota State University in 2005 and his Doctorate Degree in Physical Therapy from University of South Dakota in 2008. He is CPR-certified. Nate's work experience includes: Physical Therapist, Premiere Physical Therapy, 2008-present.    Shawn Blanton is a Physical Therapist Assistant at our Downtown facility and performs daily patient care for a variety of musculoskeletal conditions. Shawn utilizes the McKenzie Institute method of treatment along with manual therapy techniques while specializing in neck and back injuries. Shawn earned an Associate's Degree in Applied Science - Physical Therapist Assistant from Lakeland College in 1998. He is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and is CPR-certified. Shawn's work experience includes: Physical Therapist Assistant, Nova Care, Illinois, 1998-1999. Physical Therapist Assistant, Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana, IL, 1999-2001. Physical Therapist Assistant, Carle Foundation Hospital, Bloomington, IL, 2001-2005. Physical Therapist Assistant, St. John's Hospital, Springfield, IL, 2005-2006. Physical Therapist Assistant, Premiere Physical Therapy, Springfield, IL, 2006-present.   Ryan Worrall is a Physical Therapist Assistant at our West facility and treats patients on daily basis for a variety of musculoskeletal conditions. Ryan earned his Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Science from Western Illinois University in 2002 and his Associate's Degree in Applied Science - Physical Therapist Assistant from Southern Illinois University - Carbondale in 2008. He is CPR-certified. Ryan’s work experience includes: Physical Therapist Assistant, Premiere Physical Therapy, 2008-present.   Dena Nance is a Certified Athletic Trainer at our Downtown facility and treats patients on daily basis for a variety of musculoskeletal conditions. Dena earned her Bachelor's Degree in Kinesiology from Illinois State University in 2008. She is CPR-certified. Dena’s work experience includes: Certified Athletic Trainer, Premiere Physical Therapy, 2009-present.   Amber Chance is Premiere's Income Manager and works out of our Downtown facility. She started with Premiere as a receptionist in 2002. As Income Manager she is responsible for making sure that all funds for services rendered are collected in a timely manner. Amber collects money from insurance companies and patients and routes it to our banking section. Amber’s work experience includes: Receptionist, Premiere Physical Therapy, 2002-2004 Account Manager, Premiere Physical Therapy, 2004-2008. Income Manager, Premiere Physical Therapy, 2008-present.   Coartney Foster is a receptionist for Premiere Physical Therapy - West. Coartney performs receptionist/clerical work at our West facility, including patient scheduling, patient reactivation, and physician staff contact. Coartney also serves as West's Inventory Officer and is in charge of ordering all clinical and office supplies for our West facility. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations, with a minor in Business Administration, from Illinois State University in 2005. Coartney’s work experience includes: Receptionist, Premiere Physical Therapy, 2005-2007. Billing Manager, Premiere Physical Therapy, 2007-2009. Receptionist/Inventory Officer, Premiere Physical Therapy-West, 2009-present.   Jennifer Holman is a receptionist at Premiere's Downtown office. Jennifer performs receptionist/clerical work at our Downtown facility, including patient scheduling, patient reactivation, and physician staff contact. Jennifer’s work experience includes: Receptionist, Premiere Physical Therapy, 2008-present.   Ryan Schallenberg is a Physical Therapist and Certified Athletic Trainer. Ryan performs daily patient care including initial evaluations and developing plans of care for each of his patients at our West facility. Ryan also serves as the Clinical Manager of Premiere - West where he oversees the daily operations. Ryan earned his Bachelor ’s Degree in Athletic Training from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale (SIU-C) in 2001 and his Master ’s Degree in Physical Therapy from Bradley University in 2005. He is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and National Athletic Trainers’ Association. He is CPR-certified. Ryan’s work experience includes: Certified Athletic Trainer, Physical Rehab Works, Benton, IL, 2001-2002. Certified Athletic Trainer, Great Plains Sports Medicine, Peoria, IL, 2002-2005. Physical Therapist, Premiere Physical Therapy, 2005-present.     Erin Gooch is a Physical Therapist and clinic manager at our Virden Facility. Erin performs daily patient care including initial evaluations and developing plans of care for each of her patients at our Virden facility. Erin also serves as the Clinical Manager of Premiere - Virden where she oversees the daily operations. Erin earned her Bachelor of Science Degree from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada in 2005 and her Doctorate Degree in Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine in St. Augustine, Florida in 2009. There she also earned a Manual Therapy Certification in 2009. Erin is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association. She is CPR-certified. Erin’s work experience includes: Physical Therapist, Accelerated Rehabilitation, Chicago, IL, 2009-2010.  Physical Therapist, Premiere Physical Therapy, 2010-present.   Sara Durbin is a Physical Therapist assistant at our Virden and Downtown facilities and treats patients on daily basis for a variety of musculoskeletal conditions. Sara earned her Associate's Degree in Applied Science - Physical Therapist Assistant from Southern Illinois University - Carbondale in 2007 and her Bachelor's Degree in University Studies/Liberal Arts from SIU-C in 2008. She is CPR-certified. Sara’s work experience includes: Physical Therapist Assistant, Premiere Physical Therapy, 2008-present.   Lisa Boone is a receptionist at Premiere's Virden office. Lisa performs receptionist/clerical work at our Virden facility, including patient scheduling, patient reactivation, and physician staff contact. Lisa’s work experience includes: Claims Processor/Claims Examiner, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Springfield, IL, 1988-2007. Medical Billing Assistant, Eye Center, Springfield, IL, 2007-2009. Receptionist, Premiere Physical Therapy, 2008-present.   Steven Rutherford is a physical therapy aide in our Downtown facility. Steven assists the treatment  and administrative staff with their daily duties.       Back to Top