Meet our Staff

Physical Therapist

Dawn Palmquist PT, DPT, Director of Rehab Services

Dawn earned her clinical Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Kansas Medical Center in 2014. She received her Masters in Physical Therapy from Wichita State University in 2005 after graduating Magna Cum Laude in 2003 with a Bachelor in Science, with emphasis in Health Service Organization and Policy. She also was a Graduate with Honors in the Order of the Purple in 2001 with an Associate in Science. Dawn was born and raised in Council Grove, KS, and graduated from Council Grove High School in 1999. Dawn has had experience with outpatient orthopedic physical therapy, aquatic therapy, and acute inpatient treatment. This has included pre-op and post-op care, sport-specific injuries, musculoskeletal injuries, chronic pain, and neurological impairments, including balance/vestibular disorders and pediatric development disorders. Dawn specializes in aquatic therapy and has been treating patients using the properties of water for 10 years. She recently became certified as a Cancer Exercise Specialist and is also certified in applying Kinisio® tape for pain and edema reduction. Dawn has been a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and the Kansas Physical Therapy Association since 2003. In addition, she is a member of the orthopedic and aquatic sections. Dawn began her professional career in Kansas City, but later joined the Mathis team at Morris County Hospital in 2007. Away from work, Dawn enjoys community activities, staying physically active, and spending time with her family including her husband Lucas and children Sanaia, Brycen and Lucy.

Taylor Kirk, PT, DPT

Taylor was born and raised in Americus, Kansas and graduated from Chase County High School in 2013. After graduating in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in Health & Human Performance from Emporia State University, she then attended Texas Woman’s University in Dallas, TX earning her Doctorate of Physical Therapy in May of 2020. Taylor has been a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and the Kansas Physical Therapy Association since 2017. Taylor’s clinical experience includes outpatient orthopedic physical therapy, home health, acute inpatient treatment, and school-based physical therapy. Outside of work, Taylor enjoys spending time with her husband Thomas, their families, friends, and their two dogs Luna and Kevin.

Luke Plummer, PT, DPT

Luke was raised in Fredonia, Kansas and graduated from Fredonia High School in 2014. Luke graduated Summa Cum Laude from Kansas State University, with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, the study of human movement. Luke then attended the University of Kansas Medical Center, and earned his Doctorate of Physical Therapy in May of 2021. Luke’s clinical experience includes working with multiple sclerosis at the Multiple Sclerosis Achievement Center in Kansas City, outpatient orthopedic physical therapy, acute inpatient rehabilitation, and pro bono physical therapy. Luke’s outpatient physical therapy experience has included working with sports injuries, balance/vestibular disorders, torticollis, musculoskeletal pain, neurological impairments, pre and post-op care, etc. Luke has been a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and the Kansas Physical Therapy Association since 2018. Away from work, Luke enjoys walking and hiking with his Wife, Whitney, and with his dogs, Trigger and Petey. Luke loves the Kansas City Chiefs and watches every game he can (and sometimes twice).

Christy Ziegenhirt PT, BS, CKTP

Christy received her Bachelor in Physical Therapy from Wichita State University in 1989. She also attended Kansas State University for physical therapy pre-requisites after graduating from Council Grove High School in 1984. Christy was born and raised in Council Grove, Kansas. Christy has been a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and the Kansas Physical Therapy Association since 1987. She served on the board of directors of the Kansas Physical Therapy Association as the nominating chair in the early ‘90s. In addition she is a member of the American Association of Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Rehabilitation and the Missouri-Kansas Association of Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Rehabilitation. Christy is certified as an Advanced Cardiac Life Support Provider and plays a key role in the Morris County Hospital Cardiac Rehab program which has been awarded certification through the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. Christy is a credentialed ImPact consultant (CIC), who has earned the title by undergoing specialized ImPact training to offer state of the art concussion care management to patients. Christy has several years of experience treating a wide array of patients including those with sports injuries, post –operative orthopedic conditions, vestibular/balance disorders, neurological impairments and various musculoskeletal disorders of the neck, back, shoulders, hips , knees, and feet. Christy is a certified Sole Support® provider. She is also certified in Kinesio® taping. Outside of work, Christy is involved as a Council Grove High School mentor. Christy enjoys singing in church and local community affairs. She and her husband, Don, enjoy attending KS U athletic events and keep busy attending the activities of their children, Derek, Casey and Jacob.

Physical Therapist Assistant

Chris Achilles CPTA, MS, ATC

A native of Hesston, KS, Chris received his B.S. degree in Kinesiology, with an emphasis in Athletic Training from Kansas State University in 1994. He went on to earn his M.S. degree in Exercise Science from Fort Hays State University in 1997. Chris became a part of the Mathis Physical Therapy team during its inception in 2003. He returned to school in 2007 and earned his Physical Therapist Assistant degree from Washburn University in 2009. Chris’ areas of interest include inpatient and outpatient orthopedics, cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, and orthotic and brace fitting. He is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and National Athletic Trainers’ Association.

Occupational Therapist

Kelsey Hartman MOTR/L, CLT

Kelsey was born and raised in Hutchinson, KS, but attended high school in the small town of Buhler. She graduated in 2002 and went on to the University of Kansas where she received her Bachelor of Occupational Therapy degree in 2005. She remained at KU to earn her Master degree in Occupational Therapy in 2008. Kelsey is certified as a lymphedema therapist after attending Klose Training and Consulting certification course in 2010. She has also attended continuing education courses on traumatic brain injuries, stroke recovery, deep tissue massage and release, wheelchair seating and positioning, and UE disorders. Since graduating in 2008, Kelsey has worked in a variety of clinical settings including independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, home health, memory care, outpatient services. She and her husband recently moved to Council Grove, KS from Olathe, KS to raise their three small boys.