Meet the Staff

Marc

Marc R. Bernier, MPT CSCS
Director of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation

Marc Bernier received his Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Delaware in 1994 and his Certification as Strength and Conditioning Specialist in 1998. Marc has specialized in the areas of orthopedic and sports medicine throughout his career, focusing on the treatment of the extremities. Additionally, he has served as an international consultant in the field of soccer-specific sports medicine, having developed rehabilitative programs and performance enhancement programs for soccer athletes in the United States and Europe.

Marc has served in the following official capacities in his career:

Galatasaray FC (Istanbul) Sport Medicine Consultant (Soccer)
PhysioRoom.com (England) Sports Medicine and Training Consultant
Major League Soccer Athletic Training Advisory Board
Sports Injury Consultant, SoccerSpecific.com
1996 Olympic Soccer Physical Therapy Coordinator, Birmingham Venue
Director of Sports Medicine and Performance, Mountain Brook Soccer Club
Director of Sports Medicine, Briarwood Soccer Club

Marc has lectured at the 2004 Major League Soccer Combine for the Professional Soccer Athletic Trainer’s Society; the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Annual Convention; the American Sports Medicine Institute’s (ASMI) “Recent Advances in Rehabilitation” Course; and was a national instructor for HealthSouth Corporation as a Knee Specialist, receiving the 2004 “Educator of the Year” award.


Henly

Christy Hensley, MSPT
Staff Physical Therapist

Christy Hensley received her Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2003 and her Bachelor’s Degree in Zoology from Auburn University in 2001. Christy has performed extensive work in all areas of orthopedics and has developed an expertise in McConnell taping, manual therapy, and dysfunctions of the spine.

Brad

Brad Minich, MPT
Staff Physical Therapist

Brad Minich received his Master’s Degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 2002 and his Bachelor’s of Science in Biology in 1998 from Missouri State University. Brad has worked in the orthopedic and sports medicine field primarily but has experience in inpatient acute rehabilitation, worker’s compensation, long-term care, and development of Medicare-based programs for the geriatric population. Brad has assisted in the design of clinic facilities for the geriatric population and developed exercise programs following lower extremity joint replacements. Currently, Brad is pursuing his certification in orthopedic manual therapy through Maitland-Australian techniques and instruction and looks forward to expanding his scope of treatment for the clients and community through St. Vincent’s One Nineteen.

Dotti

Dotti Nelson, LPTA
Staff Physical Therapist Assistant

Dotti Nelson received her Associate’s Degree in Applied Sciences for Physical Therapist Assistants in 2003 from Jefferson State Community College. Dotti specializes in the treatment of neurological dysfunctions, orthopedics, and balance training. She serves as the aquatic therapy coordinator for the department. Dotti has extensive knowledge and experience in all areas of rehabilitation and provides a very well-rounded approach to the patient’s treatment plan.

Wendy

Wendy Wahlstrom, LPTA
Staff Physical Therapy Assistant

Wendy Wahlstrom received her Associate’s Degree in Applied Science from Macomb Community College in Detroit, Michigan and became licensed as a Physical Therapy Assistant in 2003. A former elite level youth gymnast, Wendy has utilized the knowledge she gained from her experiences in the sport to specialize in the integration of balance, core strength, agility, and functional strength into the rehab programs developed for patients. Wendy has also worked in all areas of orthopedics and has developed an expertise in proprioceptive training and the treatment of gymnastic athletes.

Liz

Liz Fillon Wheeles, MPT
Staff Physical Therapist

Liz Wheeles received her Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy from LSU in 2002 and her Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology in 2000. She has knowledge in all areas of rehabilitation, including orthopedics, and has specialized in the treatment of neurologic disorders and back pain. Additionally, she has developed a keen interest in lymphedema and is the lead therapist in the treatment of this condition for the facility. Liz has been a member of the rehabilitative services team since the inception of the facility and has served an integral role in the development of departmental programs and policies.

Robin

Robin Cawthon
Rehab Technician

Robin Cawthon is a recent graduate of the University of Montevallo, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology. She is currently pursuing a career in physical therapy and is involved in prerequisite coursework. Robin’s future interests in the medical field include serving geriatric and special needs populations. Her contribution is a vital part of the daily functioning of the clinic and an important factor in helping patients achieve their full potential at St. Vincent’s One Nineteen.