Mountain Valley Physical Therapy - Denver, Colorado, Physical and Massage Therapy

The staff at Mountain Valley Physical Therapy pride themselves on excellent customer service. You are our number one priority! Please take a moment to fill out a patient survey for us to let us know how we are doing and if there is anything we can do to improve your visit.

About MVPT: Our Team

Jennifer Ellis, PT, MPT, OCS Licensed Physical Therapist, Owner, Board Certified in Orthopedics

Jennifer is a graduate of the Physical Therapy Masters program at Northern Arizona University, where she also earned degrees in Nutrition and Psychology. She has extensive post-graduate education in the orthopedic and manual therapy realm, including board certification in Orthopedics, as well as significant business and management training. Jennifer started MVPT in 2006 with the dream of creating a clinic with a “family” feel and patient-centered care, and has enjoyed watching the clinic grow and flourish. Her number one love is her family, including her husband Jim, their son Caden and daughter Rebecca. Her love of traveling has taken her many interesting places, and she looks forward to sharing these adventures with her kids. In the summer you may find her on her road bike or cooking for friends and family. In the winter, when she’s not on the slopes telemark skiing, she is most likely playing games with her kids, or curled up with a good book.

Gina Gellings, PT, DPT, Licensed Physical Therapist

Gina grew up in Wisconsin and attended Marquette University where she attained an undergraduate degree in Exercise Science and a doctorate in Physical Therapy. She moved to Colorado in 2007 to be with her now husband John. She enjoys camping, hiking, skiing, traveling and cooking. Gina has practiced in an outpatient setting for over six years and completes continuing education yearly to stay current in evidence-based practice.

Mary Dixon, PT, DPT, Licensed Physical Therapist

Mary is a graduate of the University of South Florida where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology. She then moved to Colorado to pursue her Doctorate in Physical Therapy at the University of Colorado Anchutz Medical Campus, and to ski. Since graduating, her focus for continuing education has been primarily manual therapy based. In her free time Mary likes to be outside and you will find her in the mountains either on her bike, with a backpack, or on skis.

Karen Talkington, PT, DPT, Licensed Physical Therapist

Karen graduated from John Brown University with a BS in Exercise Science-Sports Medicine where she worked closely with athletes, especially the women’s volleyball team. She then earned her doctorate in physical therapy (DPT) from Regis University. Karen has recently taken an interest in women’s health issues and has begun to develop her expertise in this area while still continuing her orthopedic/manual therapy background. Outside of the clinic she likes to travel, play volleyball, cook and enjoy Colorado’s many outdoor and social opportunities.

Ellen Masella, CMT, PTA
Nationally Certified Massage Therapist, Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant

Ellen grew up in the suburbs of Chicago before her family moved to Colorado when she was 12. Ellen began her clinical career with an associates degree in Physical Therapy from Arapahoe Community College. After practicing for several years, Ellen decided she needed a change, so she moved to California. In 2001 she graduated from California College of Physical Arts as a certified massage therapist. She returned to school in 2008 for 1 more year in which she became trained in neuromuscular techniques. She combines her experience of PT and NMT to treat multiple types of injuries and ailments. When Ellen is not in the clinic you will find her hiking, snow shoeing or somewhere in the world traveling.

Tami Schumacher, NCMT Nationally Certified Massage Therapist

Tami graduated from Denver School of Massage in December 2005 and completed her National Certification in February 2006. Since then she has practiced in spa environments, sports massage clinics and private practice. Tami specializes in deep tissue massage, myofascial release techniques and injury work, along with pregnancy massage and relaxation therapy. Tami loves movies and theater and checking out new restaurants. She also enjoys taking her motorcycle for a cruise around town on nice days.

Lycia Scott, Administrative Director, Office Manager

Lycia has worked as an administrative director and CFO for more than 10 years in private physical therapy clinics. Lycia is very familiar with medical insurance billing and patient benefits. She has had many continuing education business courses focused solely on private practice physical therapy clinics. With her business and insurance knowledge, she is able to make sure only the best services are provided for patients. Lycia is happily married and a proud mother of two. She finds all of her time outside of work spent volunteering in her children's classrooms and coaching both of their soccer teams!

Kate Pogonyi, Patient Representative/Office Assistant

Kate is a Philadelphia native but has lived in places such as upstate New York and Texas. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, watching movies and going to sports events. The one thing she could not live without would be her two wonderful dogs. She has worked for MVPT for over a year, and says she considers her coworkers to be like family. Kate is one of the first smiley faces you see when you enter the clinic, and can’t wait to meet whoever walks in the door!

Morgan Laudick, Patient Representative/Office Assistant

Morgan is a recent graduate of Colorado State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies and a minor in Business Administration. Before settling in Colorado, Morgan lived in Oklahoma, Kansas, Virginia, Texas, Indonesia and Qatar. She loves to travel overseas and wishes she had additional time (and funds!) to explore the world more. In her spare time, she enjoys being outside, making people laugh, painting and drawing, reading, and more recently, studying for the GRE (which really isn’t that enjoyable!).

Ryan J. Parker, Marketing Specialist

As the self proclaimed "Marketing Guru" of MVPT, Ryan has been working with the team for over a year and takes pride in promoting MVPT to doctors and medical offices throughout the Metro area. "I really enjoy making people smile while building working relationships on behalf of our awesome team at Mountain Valley PT." Born and raised on a Colorado farm, Ryan was a quiet, hardworking kid with strong values and a sense of purpose. After earning a degree in Business in 1999, Ryan set out across Europe on a bicycle. In two months and seven countries Ryan’s journey opened his eyes to the amazing people and places just waiting to be revealed. For the past 11 years Ryan has expanded his career in film and television. Today he is focused on preserving legacies and inspiring others to make their mark by recognizing leaders in innovation with his TV show creation - “Backyard Genius: Invention Heroes.” Always there to lend a hand, Ryan is the All-American guy who takes pride in who he is and where he came from. In his free time Ryan teaches about nature, loves talking about cars, riding his horse and spending time with family and friends.

	Jennifer Ellis, PT, MPT, OCS Licensed Physical Therapist, Owner, Board Certified in Orthopedics Jennifer is a graduate of the Physical Therapy Masters program at Northern Arizona University, where she also earned degrees in Nutrition and Psychology. She has extensive post-graduate education in the orthopedic and manual therapy realm, including board certification in Orthopedics, as well as significant business and management training. Jennifer started MVPT in 2006 with the dream of creating a clinic with a “family” feel and patient-centered care, and has enjoyed watching the clinic grow and flourish. Her number one love is her family, including her husband Jim, their son Caden and daughter Rebecca. Her love of traveling has taken her many interesting places, and she looks forward to sharing these adventures with her kids. In the summer you may find her on her road bike or cooking for friends and family. In the winter, when she’s not on the slopes telemark skiing, she is most likely playing games with her kids, or curled up with a good book.
	Gina Gellings, PT, DPT, Licensed Physical Therapist Gina grew up in Wisconsin and attended Marquette University where she attained an undergraduate degree in Exercise Science and a doctorate in Physical Therapy. She moved to Colorado in 2007 to be with her now husband John. She enjoys camping, hiking, skiing, traveling and cooking. Gina has practiced in an outpatient setting for over six years and completes continuing education yearly to stay current in evidence-based practice.
	Mary Dixon, PT, DPT, Licensed Physical Therapist Mary is a graduate of the University of South Florida where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology. She then moved to Colorado to pursue her Doctorate in Physical Therapy at the University of Colorado Anchutz Medical Campus, and to ski. Since graduating, her focus for continuing education has been primarily manual therapy based. In her free time Mary likes to be outside and you will find her in the mountains either on her bike, with a backpack, or on skis.
	Karen Talkington, PT, DPT, Licensed Physical Therapist Karen graduated from John Brown University with a BS in Exercise Science-Sports Medicine where she worked closely with athletes, especially the women’s volleyball team. She then earned her doctorate in physical therapy (DPT) from Regis University. Karen has recently taken an interest in women’s health issues and has begun to develop her expertise in this area while still continuing her orthopedic/manual therapy background. Outside of the clinic she likes to travel, play volleyball, cook and enjoy Colorado’s many outdoor and social opportunities.
	Ellen Masella, CMT, PTA Nationally Certified Massage Therapist, Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant Ellen grew up in the suburbs of Chicago before her family moved to Colorado when she was 12. Ellen began her clinical career with an associates degree in Physical Therapy from Arapahoe Community College. After practicing for several years, Ellen decided she needed a change, so she moved to California. In 2001 she graduated from California College of Physical Arts as a certified massage therapist. She returned to school in 2008 for 1 more year in which she became trained in neuromuscular techniques. She combines her experience of PT and NMT to treat multiple types of injuries and ailments. When Ellen is not in the clinic you will find her hiking, snow shoeing or somewhere in the world traveling.
	Tami Schumacher, NCMT Nationally Certified Massage Therapist Tami graduated from Denver School of Massage in December 2005 and completed her National Certification in February 2006. Since then she has practiced in spa environments, sports massage clinics and private practice. Tami specializes in deep tissue massage, myofascial release techniques and injury work, along with pregnancy massage and relaxation therapy. Tami loves movies and theater and checking out new restaurants. She also enjoys taking her motorcycle for a cruise around town on nice days.
	Lycia Scott, Administrative Director, Office Manager Lycia has worked as an administrative director and CFO for more than 10 years in private physical therapy clinics. Lycia is very familiar with medical insurance billing and patient benefits. She has had many continuing education business courses focused solely on private practice physical therapy clinics. With her business and insurance knowledge, she is able to make sure only the best services are provided for patients. Lycia is happily married and a proud mother of two. She finds all of her time outside of work spent volunteering in her children's classrooms and coaching both of their soccer teams!
	Kate Pogonyi, Patient Representative/Office Assistant Kate is a Philadelphia native but has lived in places such as upstate New York and Texas. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, watching movies and going to sports events. The one thing she could not live without would be her two wonderful dogs. She has worked for MVPT for over a year, and says she considers her coworkers to be like family. Kate is one of the first smiley faces you see when you enter the clinic, and can’t wait to meet whoever walks in the door!
	Morgan Laudick, Patient Representative/Office Assistant Morgan is a recent graduate of Colorado State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies and a minor in Business Administration. Before settling in Colorado, Morgan lived in Oklahoma, Kansas, Virginia, Texas, Indonesia and Qatar. She loves to travel overseas and wishes she had additional time (and funds!) to explore the world more. In her spare time, she enjoys being outside, making people laugh, painting and drawing, reading, and more recently, studying for the GRE (which really isn’t that enjoyable!).
	Ryan J. Parker, Marketing Specialist As the self proclaimed "Marketing Guru" of MVPT, Ryan has been working with the team for over a year and takes pride in promoting MVPT to doctors and medical offices throughout the Metro area. "I really enjoy making people smile while building working relationships on behalf of our awesome team at Mountain Valley PT." Born and raised on a Colorado farm, Ryan was a quiet, hardworking kid with strong values and a sense of purpose. After earning a degree in Business in 1999, Ryan set out across Europe on a bicycle. In two months and seven countries Ryan’s journey opened his eyes to the amazing people and places just waiting to be revealed. For the past 11 years Ryan has expanded his career in film and television. Today he is focused on preserving legacies and inspiring others to make their mark by recognizing leaders in innovation with his TV show creation - “Backyard Genius: Invention Heroes.” Always there to lend a hand, Ryan is the All-American guy who takes pride in who he is and where he came from. In his free time Ryan teaches about nature, loves talking about cars, riding his horse and spending time with family and friends.