OrthoTennessee Therapy

Russell Johnson is a physical therapist with OrthoTennessee. He received a bachelor’s degree in 2000 and a master’s degree in sports medicine in 2002 from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He holds a master’s degree in physical therapy from the Medical College of Georgia, and is a certified athletic trainer and strength and conditioning coach.

Russell has been a physical therapist since 2005. He says his role in the clinic includes evaluating new therapy patients and developing a treatment plan with the goal of returning the patient to her/his desired activities.

He decided to become a physical therapist because of a longtime interest in sports medicine, orthopaedics, and athletics.

“Physical therapy provides me with a very dynamic and rewarding work environment,” Russell says. “I enjoy developing relationships with patients and helping them achieve their therapy goals.”

Russell and his wife Lesly have two children, Lily and Levi, Russell is the pole vaulting coach for the University of Tennessee, producing numerous SEC champions and All-Americans. He also enjoys playing golf, photography, and traveling.

With an eagerness to learn more about and understand the human body, Tracie worked as a personal trainer while attending Walter State where she earned an Associate’s degree in Applied Science.

As a Physical Therapy Assistant, Tracie provides interventions under the supervision of a Licensed Physical Therapist to help patients regain functional mobility and quality of life. She loves being able to work with people and credits the best part of her job to witnessing a patient regain their freedom from previous impairments.

Tracie enjoys traveling and is always seeking new and unique places to visit.

Shane Fulmer is the Director of Hand Therapy and an occupational therapist with OrthoTennessee. He received a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy from Eastern Kentucky University, completed a hand therapy fellowship in Houston in 1998 and received the hand therapy certification in 1999.

An occupational therapist since 1992, Shane enjoys having the opportunity to improve the daily functioning of individuals in need.

“I like to meet new people, Shane says, “and my role is to assist in returning you to your prior level of functioning.”

In his spare time, Shane likes to be home with his family. He has two daughters, Madison, 10 and Sidney, seven.

Siri Hamilton is a physical therapist with OrthoTennessee. She received an Associate’s degree in veterinary technology in 1984 from Purdue University and a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis in 1997.

A physical therapist since 1997, Siri has a special interest in the treatment of patients with disorders of the spine. She has completed post graduate training at the McKenzie Institute USA in the McKenzie Method of Medical Diagnosis and Therapy.

“My goal is to educate patients, thus empowering them to become independent with daily self treatment and prevention of recurrence of back pain.”

In her spare time, Siri enjoys exercise, in the gym and outdoors, hiking, cycling and running.

Following a nine year career in the Navy as a Naval Instructor and Naval Aircrewman/Rescue Swimmer on SH-60B helicopters, Todd sought a career that would combine his love for exercise, fitness, nutrition and anatomy. He enrolled at Roane State Community College where he received an associate’s degree of applied science. He has been practicing as a licensed Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) since 2012 and enjoys a career that forces him to continue to learn and provide a platform to educate people about the benefits of health and wellness while assisting them with recovery.

Todd’s role as a PTA is to assist the patient’s evaluating therapist while working collaboratively with doctors and other members of the therapy team to facilitate the fastest and safest recovery. He works to implement an individualized treatment plan to get patients back to the activities they love. Todd enjoys the challenge that coincides with the ever changing environment of physical therapy.

Todd enjoys being outdoors especially when it involves camping and fishing. He also practices Jiu Jitsu.

Beth Howington is an occupational therapist with OrthoTennessee. She received a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy from Northeast Louisiana University in Monroe, Louisiana and is a certified hand therapist.

Beth has been an occupational therapist since 1989 and became one because she wanted to work in the medical field—particularly in the accident recovery phase. She says what she most enjoys about her work is helping people recover from injury.

“I evaluate patients to determine their therapy needs and treat them with the goal of achieving full independence in all aspects of life,” Beth says. “I want to see my patients progress and become independent.”

In her spare time, she enjoys reading, traveling and shopping. She is married and has two children.

Kimberly LeRoy is an occupational therapist at Ortho Tennesee. She has been working as a therapist since 2004. East Carolina University is where Kimberly received her Bachelor's Degree in occupational therapy. Later she received her certification in Hand Therapy in 2009. Kimberly has primarily worked in an outpatient setting for orthopaedic injuries.

Occupational therapy has been a definite passion for Kimberly. She states: "I wanted a job that provided me an opportunity to really give back to people and help them regain function and use for what fuels their life. Being an occupational therapist has provided me this opportunity."

In her spare time Kimberly enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She also enjoys being a runner, dancing, and getting into golf when she can.

Tammy Seymour is a physical therapist assistant with OrthoTennessee. She attended East Tennessee State University and holds an associate’s degree in physical therapy assistance from Roane State Community College.

Tammy has been a physical therapist assistant since 1988. She says her role in the clinic is treating patients with orthopaedic injuries and conditions by providing instructions for therapeutic exercises and manual strengthening according to established protocols. She also coordinates volunteers and physical therapist assistant students from area community colleges.

Tammy has been interested in physical therapy since doing a report in eighth grade on the subject, she says.

“It’s appealing to me because it involves exercising, teaching, knowing anatomy and helping people,” Tammy says. “I most enjoy helping patients recover from injuries and surgeries along with the attitude and feeling of respect that I get from my patients.”

In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, playing golf, taking non-credit courses, walking and going to bluegrass concerts.

Originally from Bucksport, ME Lynne completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Tennessee and quickly became a volunteer at heart. She went on to earn her degree in Physical Therapy from Tennessee State University and has been a practicing Physical Therapist since 1993.

Lynne began her career as an Athletic Trainer and worked in a clinical setting as well as on the field with various high school teams. At OrthoTennessee, Lynne enjoys working with all age groups and levels of fitness and function. Her role is to evaluate physical dysfunctions of patients and devise a treatment plan allowing them to return to life at home, work and physical activity.

With education as the foundation of her approach to almost anything, Lynne enjoys teaching patients who take ownership of their own recovery and empowering them with knowledge. In her experience, patients recover better and faster when they understand why they are taking on physical therapy and how each component of the treatment plan can help their recovery process.

Currently residing in Lenoir City, TN, Lynne and her husband enjoy spending time with their son camping where canoeing, mountain biking and stand up paddle boarding are always on the agenda. She and her son share a love for snow skiing and personally Lynne enjoys making earthenware pottery and sharing her pieces with friends and family to display in their homes.

Cathy Shope is a physical therapist with OrthoTennessee. She received a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from the University of Tennessee and a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from the UT Health Science Center in Memphis.

Cathy has been a physical therapist since 1982. She says her role in the clinic is to specialize in all aspects of orthopaedic treatments and rehabilitation including industrial medicine. She works with patients injured at work and strives to return them to enjoying life again.

“I decided to become a physical therapist when I was in middle school after going to a physical therapy session with my dad,” Cathy says. “He just had hand surgery and they helped him return to work and playing golf.”

What she enjoys most about her job is working with people and seeing patients quickly return to work.

In her spare time, Cathy enjoys being on the lake, waterskiing in the summer and snow skiing in the winter. She has two teenage sons—one attending Tennessee Wesleyan College and the other attending Farragut High School.