Our Physical Therapy Staff

We'd like to focus on the qualifications of our Physical Therapists, as these are the people who will be personally handling you during your term of care with Excel Physical Therapy.

Joe Michaelis, PT, MOMT, FAOOMPT

Joe Michaelis has been practicing Physical Therapy for 21 years. He has dedicated himself to advancing his clinical abilities, and teaching his colleagues, for the benefit of the patient. His clinical background enables him to find the source of the dysfunction and treat it, not just the pain, for a return to full function.

Joe sought further education early in his career when he realized he was primarily treating symptoms. He pursued an education that provided advanced methods of assessment of the spine and extremities. Once the source of the problem is identified, exact treatment is applied to the soft-tissue and joints. Specific exercises are applied both in the clinic, and at home to restore the injured tissues and restore function. The goal of treatment is to bring the patient to a higher level of function after the injury than existed before. This will minimize the chance of re-injury.

This system of treatment originated in Norway, and is now taught throughout the United States, and around the world. It is supported by clinical research to prove its effectiveness for long-term results. This approach is effectively applied to athletic, and work injuries as well.

Joe received his bachelor of arts in physical therapy from the College of St. Scholastica, Duluth, MN, and Master’s of Orthopedic Manual Therapy degree from the Ola Grimsby Institute, San Diego, CA. He taught the Ola Grimsby Institute’s orthopedic manual therapy program in Denver, and Minneapolis. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists. He founded Excel Physical Therapy in 1993.

He and his staff have treated thousands of patients with spinal, extremity, work-injury, women’s health, athletic, and post-operative conditions.

Rhonda Krug, PTA

In 1990 Rhonda received her Physical Therapy Assistant degree from Anoka Ramsey Community College. Rhonda has been participating in physical therapy since 1990 and joined Excel Physical Therapy in October of 2004.

Rhonda has always worked in outpatient physical therapy where she enjoys the variety of patients she meets daily. She enjoys helping people to meet their functional goals and return to their hobbies and activiies of daily living pain free.

Heidi Wolak-Faber M.S. CCC-SLP

We are very happy to welcome Heidi Wolak-Faber to the Excel Physical Therapy clinical team. She received her undergraduate degree in Communications from the College of St Benedict and her Master of Science degree in Speech Language Pathology from the Minnesota State University in Mankato.

Heidi is fully licensed through the Minnesota Department of Health, Minnesota Department of Education and holds her Certificate of Clinical Competence through the American Speech Language and Hearing Association. Ms. Wolak-Faber brings her experience of working with all ages and stages of life. Her background also includes vocal performance and vocal health management.

Heidi is experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of communication disorders including cognitive/linguistic deficits related to aphasia, stroke related communication deficits, developmental disorders, voice disorders, fluency disorders and speech/articulation challenges. Speech and language pathologists also treat language and communication difficulties related to autism spectrum disorder and various pediatric medical conditions.

In her spare time, Heidi enjoys spending time with her husband and three boys, gardening, learning and traveling.

For more information regarding speech and language therapy, please don't hesitate to call. We would be happy to discuss our services with you!

Kyle LaPointe, P.T.

Kyle LaPointe joined the Excel Physical Therapy team in November of 2008. He is a 2008 graduate of the University of Minnesota where he earned his Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree. Kyle received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, Minnesota. His motivation to become a physical therapist stems from his experiences in rehabilitation and injury treatment as a college football player as well as his work with on-campus physical therapists working with spinal cord injury students. Kyle enjoyed the interaction with patients and witnessing their functional improvements to the point that he decided to make it his career.

In his spare time, Kyle enjoys working out, watching and playing sports as well as hunting, fishing, and being outdoors observing wildlife. He loves spending time with his wife, Katie and their 8 month old son, Nolan, who keeps them both very happy and busy.