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About Us
Our Mission
EMPOWER PEOPLE.
CULTIVATE CHANGE.
IMPROVE HEALTH.
Our Vision
GO ABOVE AND BEYOND TO EDUCATE AND MOTIVATE PEOPLE TO TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THEIR HEALTH.
profiles
Master of Occupational Therapy
B.A. Psychology
Iowa Workers' Compensation Specialist
Corrective Exercise Specialist
Fitness Nutrition Specialist
Melissa White
Founder & CEO
OTR/L, IA WCS, CES, FNS
After working as an Occupational Therapist for a decade, I started Balanced
Fitness & Health in 2014 with the goal of helping people live healthier, happier and more balanced lives. My customized work with businesses and individuals has been very rewarding in that regard. Whether my team and I are focusing on getting a worker back on the job or guiding someone to reduce chronic pain, it has always been about the whole person's wellbeing, self-esteem, and health.
Now, as a breast cancer survivor, my personal journey has opened up
new opportunities for me to leverage my psychology background to help
others find physical-emotional balance and resilience. Through Integrative Healing and our Breast Cancer Program, I am here to guide you in connecting your mind and body to heal so you can thrive!
Doctor of Physical Therapy
B.S.E. Biomedical Engineering
Certified Professional ErgonomistVestibular Rehabilitation Specialist
Functional Dry Needling
Caley Ploessl
Clinic Manager
PT, DPT, CPE, Biomedical Engineer
After completing my Biomedical Engineering degree and working to design software to simulate soldiers' body mechanics, I was excited in 2018 to combine this experience and my Doctorate in Physical Therapy to help people one on one at Balanced Fitness & Health. I have since expanded my knowledge and skills and offer even more drug-free therapy approaches including ergonomics and dry needling.
As a Certified Professional Ergonomist, avoiding injury and maximizing human performance in the workplace is the goal. My unique background in engineering enables me to quickly identify how to optimize workstations with simple and affordable changes. As a physical therapist, I love empowering others to find balance and live a life with less pain. After all, we are all unique, and it takes an individualized approach to get you back to being you!
Ergonomics and Injury prevention programs are a win-win, and I am proud to be on the leading edge of this growing field. It is incredibly rewarding to help companies reduce injuries while also encouraging employees to better manage their health.
Allison Dillenburg
PT, DPT
Originally from Shueyville, I'm happy to be back in the Cedar Rapids area, and very excited to join Balanced Fitness & Health in their mission to educate and empower people to improve their health! I graduated from St. Ambrose University in 2013 with my doctorate in physical therapy. Since then, I have received additional training in vestibular rehabilitation and post-concussive therapy while working for an outpatient therapy clinic near Chicago.
I love fostering relationships with clients and being part of improving their mobility, function and general well-being. I know from past injury experience how difficult it is to not be able to partake in the things you want or need to do. It's important to me to help people get back to their lives, stronger and free of pain.
Lori Erner
MS, OTR/L, CHT
With over 26 years of experience practicing as an occupational therapist, I have worked in a variety of practice areas beginning my career in the Chicagoland area and eventually returning to practice in my home town of Cedar Rapids. My interest in the area of upper extremity rehabilitation resulted in my decision to pursue the distinction of Certified Hand Therapist. The Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) credential offers assurance to the public that the therapist treating them has achieved the highest recognition of competency in the profession of upper limb rehabilitation.
I enjoy the complexity of the hand and the delicacy of balance needed to achieve full functional use following surgery or an injury. It often involves finding creative solutions to not only help people return to work but to achieve their desired level of independence in daily tasks and live a healthy life with the least amount of pain possible.
Master of Physical Therapy
B.S. Athletic Training
Certified Holistic Nutrition Consultant
Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist
Balanced Body Pilates Instructor
Angie McCormick
PT, NC, CSCS, Pilates Instructor
As a Physical Therapist for more than 13 years, I have worked with all populations in outpatient and skilled therapy settings. I am also a Balanced Body Pilates instructor and have received specialized training in nutrition. My professional expertise and personal experience with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) enable me to help clients through pain relief, nutrition and life skills to reach new levels they didn't think were possible.
When I was diagnosed with RA, I had just given birth to our third child. I could barely lift our son because of the pain. Getting out of a chair was difficult. Medications controlled the arthritis, but the side effects, both short- and long-term, led me to seek other answers. I made lifestyle changes in 2013, incorporating Functional Medicine, nutrient dense food, Pilates and Physical Therapy. I am now medication-free and pain-free and have completed multiple athletic events.
I believe we were created to thrive in this world, performing the work we were created to perform. Treating the body as a whole is the answer! To that end, I will apply my new holistic nutrition certification along with Pilates and Physical Therapy to help each client find their way to his or her healthiest possible life.
Lindy Callahan
PT, DPT
I am thrilled to join Balanced Fitness & Health after recently moving to the Corridor area after working as a physical therapist in Cedar Falls for 3 years. My experience includes treating pediatric, adult and geriatric patients with a variety of neurological, vestibular, and orthopedic conditions in the outpatient setting. I joined the Hiawatha clinic because it aligns with my interests in orthopedics and injury prevention.
With a passion for science, education, exercise and service, I focus on treating individuals as a whole. I believe a person is not identified by their symptoms or injury. As a physical therapist, it is my intention to listen to you with compassion, perform a thorough evaluation, and collaborate in determining the best plan to achieve your goals. Each day I look forward to facilitating positive changes in the health of those I meet and serve.
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Laura Watrous
OTR/L, CHT, CLT
My experience as an Occupational Therapist since 2006 has fed a lifelong love of learning and focus on helping individuals experience more productive rehabilitation after injury. I have worked with a wide variety of populations and diagnoses, but I was driven to be more specialized and effective. In 2014, I received the Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) credential, the highest recognition of competency in upper limb rehabilitation. I am fascinated by the intricacies of the hand and upper limb and the impact it has on a person's life when an injury occurs. I am also a Certified Lymphatic Therapist (CLT), a whole-body approach that considers and treats the circulatory system for enhanced health and healing. These disciplines complement each other and move us toward decreasing pain and promoting tissues to heal as soon as possible.
Originally from Iowa, I have spent most of my career in the Vail Valley of Colorado with a team of talented hand therapists at the Steadman Clinic. Me, my husband, and our two children chose to move closer to family in Iowa in 2022.
I am proud to be part of empowering people to reduce pain and improve their wellbeing at Balanced Fitness & Health.
Kris Mace
PT
Throughout my physical therapy career, my biggest joy has been meeting people and improving their lives. For 30 years and counting, I've enjoyed working with men and women of all ages to rehabilitate sports injuries, work comp injuries and chronic conditions. Women's health is one of my passions, and I completed advanced training in pelvic floor therapy in addition to a master's degree in physical therapy. My experience includes everything from home health care to owning my own physical therapy clinic for 11 years. At Balanced Fitness & Health, I look forward to helping educate and empower people through their recovery journeys so they can fully embrace life.
Physical Therapy Assistant
Ergonomic Specialist
On-site Injury Prevention Specialist
Alex Moctezuma
PTA
I'm excited to be part of Balanced Fitness & Health's Workers' Compensation team! I graduated from the Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) program at Kirkwood Community College and worked at another Corridor-based physical therapy clinic for two years. While there, I was introduced to the work comp world and saw what a huge difference I could make in helping people return to their jobs.
When I was little, I loved to help people, and I would make my family members and pets be my "patients." I experienced a sports injury in high school, which took me on the path to a career in physical therapy. I enjoy getting to see people along their journey from being hurt and unable to do the things they love. Doing that and building relationships along the way is super rewarding.
Stefanie Myers
PTA
I graduated from Luther College with a degree in Health and Physical Education and worked in fitness clubs for several years. I later returned to school and completed Kirkwood Community College's Physical Therapist Assistant program in 2012. Since then, I have worked in outpatient orthopedic clinics where I performed post-operative rehab, work comp rehab, work conditioning and post-employment testing. At Balanced Fitness & Health, I'll continue to apply these skills in injury prevention programs and as I treat injured workers and others who are in pain.
I enjoy every aspect of being a Physical Therapist Assistant, especially forming relationships and the problem solving and education that goes with each visit. It's fulfilling to work towards a common goal with each individual, getting them back to the level of function they need for pain-free work and home activities.
Teal Rounds
PTA
After working as a work comp claims adjuster for seven years, I was looking for a more fulfilling opportunity and decided to complete the Physical Therapy Assistant program at Kirkwood Community College. I am excited to be on the other side of claims, directly helping people get back to their work and lives free of pain. In my personal time, I stay active enjoying outdoor adventures, soccer and strongman competitions. It is very rewarding to be able to help others return to the activities they find fun and exciting as a PTA for Balanced Fitness & Health!
Sue Holstrom
Administrative Assistant
I'm in my element at BFH, where I enjoy getting to know clients and helping with scheduling, billing and more. My parents had a jewelry store, where I learned how important it is to make sure people are happy. We strive to have a welcoming environment so everyone feels comfortable with us and the facility. I also manage the Worker's Compensation and corporate client billing to ensure that fits with their processes. I look forward to meeting any new individual or corporate clients and assisting them with whatever they need.
Lexy Kent
Billing Specialist
I've always liked math and crunching numbers, and I earned my accounting degree and certificate a few years ago. While I enjoyed preparing taxes for five years, I didn't feel like I was reaching my full potential.
As someone who lives with chronic pain, I believe in the work being done at Balanced Fitness & Health. It is very rewarding to be able to help the business grow so the therapists can continue to help people live their best lives.
Jaclyn Hall
Office Assistant
I worked in healthcare prior to working at Balanced Fitness & Health but nothing compares to working with the great team and clients here. The care here is above and beyond , it truly is gold standard. I enjoy getting to know our clients and I feel strongly about treating them as individuals with compassion and providing the care and healing that they deserve!
If I am not at Balanced Fitness & Health you can find me at one of my 3 boys sporting events or outdoors, either gardening or helping out at the family farm back in my hometown. I look forward to meeting you!
