Physical Therapy
UNC Therapy Services is pleased to offer advanced orthopedic and sports physical therapy care in the Meadowmont and NW Cary Wellness Centers. By providing care in a hospital-owned private practice model, UNC Therapy Services provides a cost-effective model for patients without the high costs associated with traditional hospital-based models.
UNC Therapy Services is conveniently located on the ground floor of the Meadowmont Wellness Center and on the ground floor of the NW Cary Wellness Center. We are open to the public and offer free on-site parking. From head to toe, we take care of the whole person to help them live life and compete at their best each and every day.
Specializing in orthopedic and sports physical therapy, we provide advanced evidence-based PT for patients with:
- Non-operative orthopedic and sports injuries
- Post-operative orthopedic conditions
- Osteoarthritis in the active adult
- Work-related musculoskeletal injuries
- Aquatic therapy provided in a warm water therapy pool
From the active senior to the competitive athlete and everyone in between, we believe that everyone should enjoy an active lifestyle without being limited by pain or weakness.
Many of our patients continue their independent exercise programs at the Wellness Center, as members, offering a seamless transition from rehabilitation to preventive maintenance or performance enhancement. Our primary goal is to restore function and educate patients on how to safely get the most out of their lives.
If you have questions or to make an appointment, please contact us by calling the appropriate office listed below or by email at UNCTS@unchealth.unc.edu. We look forward to helping you get back to being you!
Meadowmont Wellness Center office:
- Phone: (984) 974-2560
- Fax: (919) 843-2195
- The clinic entrance is through the main doors – We are located down the hall behind the front desk. Please let the Wellness Center staff know that you are headed to the PT clinic.
NW Cary Wellness Center office:
- Phone: (984) 974-6083
- Fax: (984)-974-6096
- The clinic entrance is through a separate door located to the right of the main entrance, across from the multi-sport field. We are just inside on the right.
- All Physical Therapists
- Meadowmont
- NW Cary
Emily Paul PT, DPT, ATC
Physical Therapist/Clinic Coordinator
Emily received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Gustavus Adolphus College where she majored in Athletic Training and minored in Music. While at Gustavus, Emily served as the lead student athletic trainer for men’s soccer and men’s and women’s track and field. After graduating and becoming a Certified Athletic Trainer, Emily moved from her home state of Minnesota to North Carolina for graduate school. Emily earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2016. Clinically, Emily enjoys working with patients of all ages and with almost any injury or condition. She has extensive knowledge in aquatic rehabilitation, particularly relating to orthopedic injuries, osteoarthritis, cerebral palsy, and amplified musculoskeletal pain syndrome. Emily also has an advanced certification in the Graston Technique™, a form of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization. In addition, she has a strong interest in the influence of music on rehabilitation and enjoys integrating this into her clinical practice from time to time. Outside of the clinic, Emily enjoys traveling, singing, playing piano and handbells, swimming, motorcycle riding, knitting, watching movies, and being outdoors (especially at the beach). Most of all, Emily enjoys spending time with her nephew or nieces whenever she gets the chance.
Catherine Duncan, DPT, SCS, ATC, PES
Physical Therapist
Catherine is a physical therapist and board certified Sports Clinical Specialist, certified athletic trainer, and NASM certified performance enhancement specialist. Her clients have included athletes of all ages and abilities from children to adults, from weekend warriors to youth, high school, collegiate, and professional athletes, helping them heal from injuries, return to play, and achieve their goals. Catherine graduated from University of Virginia where she studied sports medicine, and was a captain on the varsity women’s soccer team. She then earned her physical therapy degree from Georgia State University, graduating magna cum laude. More recently she earned her transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy at University of North Carolina. Catherine spent eight years as a physical therapist and athletic trainer at the Sport Rehab Center at Georgia Tech in Atlanta, Georgia. After moving to Chapel Hill, NC she joined the Balance Physical Therapy practice in Carrboro. She has been with UNC Therapy Services since 2015 where she shares her expertise in sports rehabilitation, injury prevention, and biomechanics of sports. She enjoys teaching and mentoring in the orthopedic physical therapy residency program. In her free time, Catherine enjoys coaching soccer, swimming, cycling, running and hiking, as well as music, traveling, cooking, and playing in the garden. Most of all, she cherishes spending time with her husband and two sons, and their extended family.
Lindsay Dimarco, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist
Lindsay DiMarco completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree in Public Health from the University of Illinois at Chicago. After a few years of working in research with a focus on patient safety, Lindsay moved to North Carolina to pursue a Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Duke University. Lindsay has a particular clinical interest in patients with vestibular, gait, and balance impairments but enjoys working with patients of all ages with orthopedic conditions to assist them in achieving their goals.
Madison Franek, PT, DPT, CSCS
Physical Therapist
I became a Physical Therapist after experiencing multiple ankle injuries related to sports. The rewarding experience I had is what I strive to replicate with my own patients. My goal is to work alongside my patients to create an individualized, patient-centered plan to optimize daily and sport-related performance, using the best evidence and a criterion-based approach to guide my decision-making. My clinical interests include the management of non-operative knee pain including diagnoses such as Runner’s Knee and Patellar Tendonitis alongside post-operative knee injuries, with a specific focus on sports-related knee surgeries such as ACL and meniscal injuries.
Dorothy Kimel-Scott, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist
Dorothy, despite being born and raised in Durham, is a lifelong Tar Heel. After graduating from UNC-CH, she earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from East Carolina University in 2012. She enjoys working on balance and has completed research on how rocker bottom shoes affect balance in older adults. She also enjoys the orthopedic side of PT, particularly hip, knee, and low back pain. She is Graston Technique certified and LSVT Big certified. She believes in a patient-centered, exercise-based approach with the goal of empowering each patient to be in control of their own rehabilitation. Outside of Physical Therapy, Dorothy enjoys playing ultimate Frisbee (though at a slightly slower pace than in college) and is a mother of two.
Sam Lucier, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist
Sam received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and completed his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Winston Salem State University. He has pursued continuing education to better serve patients experiencing persistent pain as well as in the management of musculoskeletal pain in higher-level fitness athletes. In addition to his clinical practice, Sam serves as the Chair of the NC PT Political Action Committee.
Phil Miller, PT, DPT, CSCS
Physical Therapist
A North Carolina transplant, Phil was born and raised in Jacksonville, FL. He graduated from Florida State University in 2016 where he received his bachelor’s studying exercise physiology before moving to Savannah, GA, where he received his doctorate in physical therapy from Georgia Southern University in 2021. Throughout his college career, Phil spent time personal training, engaging with members of the military to help improve their capacity to perform their duties, and contributed to research initiatives in an effort to further the physical therapy profession. As a clinician, Phil welcomes the challenge of working with a variety of patients but is most proficient at working with orthopedic injuries, particularly active individuals. He has a particular interest in tactical athletes – those in the armed forces, firefighters, etc. – as he views providing care to them as a small token of appreciation for the services they provide to others. His background in exercise physiology plays a significant role in his approach to rehabilitation, utilizing evidence-based strength & conditioning principles as a guide to delivering optimal care for his patients. He brings experience in conducting running assessments and formulation of strengthening/conditioning programs to supplement his ability to provide quality care. When he’s not seeing patients, you can likely find Phil in front of an open refrigerator pondering on what to make for his next meal as he enjoys cooking a variety of dishes. He also frequents the gym and enjoys weightlifting, listening to different styles of music, visiting new bars/cafes, traveling, trying new activities, and meeting new people.”
Matthew Moleski-Belski, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist
I became a Physical Therapist to help people return to the activities they love most, and to promote lifelong exercise and wellness. I have worked with all forms of athletes, from avid pickleball players, to National Football League (NFL) and college football players. Having been a former athlete, I know the desire to get back to your sport/hobby, and I work alongside my patients to get them back to that level, or even beyond. Personally, I enjoy all outdoor activities, in particular hiking and backpacking, and I am an avid home chef and foodie.
Reuben “RJ” Myer, PT, DPT, OCS, CMTPT
Physical Therapist
I enjoy working with patients of all ages, from 8 to 100 years old, who have orthopedic dysfunction. When I work with someone, my top priority is to reduce their pain and help them regain lost function in order to improve their quality of life. For younger athletes, this could mean returning to a sport they love. For older patients, this might mean walking without a walker or being able to play with the grandkids. Each patient’s goal is unique and important to them. In short, I’m here to help them achieve it. Seeing someone return to doing something they love gives me the most satisfaction and it’s why I practice physical therapy.
Kristina Sercel, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist
Kristina received her Bachelor of Science in Sports and Exercise Science from the University of Northern Colorado and then went on to complete her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Regis University in Denver, Colorado. She has worked in acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, and outpatient care within the UNC Healthcare system. She has experience working with a variety of patient populations and is most drawn to the adult outpatient orthopedic setting. Her areas of expertise include post-op rehabilitation, dry needling, manual therapy, sports rehabilitation, injury prevention, and utilizing exercise therapy to address muscle imbalances and pain.
Chuck Overman, PTA
Physical Therapist Assistant
Chuck graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Guilford College in Sports Medicine and Athletic Training in 2005. During his time at Guilford, he worked as a student athletic trainer focusing on soccer and football. Additionally, he played college baseball while at Guilford as an outfielder. Chuck worked in fitness and athletic-related fields, personal training, and health education until deciding to go back to school in 2013. He graduated from Nash Community College with an associate’s degree and became a licensed Physical Therapy Assistant in May of 2015. Chuck’s main clinical interests include knee and shoulder injuries and return from orthopedic injury/surgery.
Evan Adler
Physical Therapist/Clinic Coordinator
Evan is originally from New York where he spent a successful decade working in the music industry. After running several marathons for charity, however, Evan wanted to pair his extra-curricular interests with his career. He moved to Durham in 2008, and he shifted his focus to the harmonics of the human body where he earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Elon University. He enjoys the orthopedic side of PT, particularly pathologies of the shoulder, hip, and knee. He also enjoys working with middle/high school students as well as having a passion for working with endurance athletes such as runners, cyclists, and triathletes. He has enjoyed success in getting his patients back in the game by utilizing a variety of techniques including soft tissue mobilization (Graston Technique Certified), joint mobilization and manipulation, and individualized therapeutic exercises. He sees every patient as an individual and takes each person’s unique situation into account with every treatment. Evan is a board-certified clinical specialist in orthopedic physical therapy (OCS) by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. Evan is also an avid runner, cyclist, and sometimes triathlete who also enjoys playing tennis, softball, and most outdoor activities. Though a transplant to the area, Evan has made the Triangle his home and has become a proud member of the community. When not at work, he can be found spending time with his family at any of the many parks, museums, restaurants, and live music venues throughout the Triangle.
Sara Dydyn, OTR/L, MS, ATP
Occupational Therapist
Originally from the Connecticut and New York areas, Sara recently moved to Durham to enjoy the many opportunities for fun and adventure that NC has to offer. Graduating from Wagner College with a bachelor’s of science in psychology, Sara went on to study Occupational therapy at Sacred Heart University, where she would find her passion in helping people through a holistic approach to treatment. Sara’s approach to treatment honors each patient’s interests and goals throughout the rehabilitation process. She uses multiple modalities and manual techniques such as cupping, instrument-assisted therapies, and therapeutic taping to ensure a well-rounded approach to treatment. She enjoys working with orthopedic conditions of the hand and upper extremity as well as various neurological conditions. She has a passion for assistive technologies – specifically custom wheelchairs and is a certified Assistive Technology Professional. When not at work, she enjoys hiking, flag football, yoga, pottery, and spending time with her husband and dog.
Carla Hill, PT, DPT, OCS, CEEAA, Cert MDT
Physical Therapist
Carla has been a physical therapist for more than twenty years. She enjoys treating a variety of orthopedic and geriatric conditions with a special interest in spine, hip, knee, and shoulder rehabilitation as well as balance disorders. Carla earned a Bachelor of Psychology from the University of Florida, a Master of Physical Therapy from Emory University, and a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from UNC-Chapel Hill. She is a board-certified clinical specialist in orthopedic physical therapy (OCS) and Certified Exercise Expert for Aging Adults (CEEAA). She is also certified in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy by the McKenzie Institute and performs dry needling to treat myofascial trigger points. She is focused on patient-centered, evidence-based care to promote lifelong wellness for all patients. As such, she uses an array of treatment techniques and patient education to improve her patients’ abilities to participate in desired activities. In addition to patient care, Carla is involved in research, quality improvement, and interdisciplinary initiatives at UNC to improve patient outcomes. In her spare time, she enjoys outdoor activities and traveling with family and friends.
Laura “Ellese” Nickles PT, DPT
Physical Therapist
Ellese received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2016. Ellese grew up dancing and was trained in classical ballet, modern and Jazz. She danced throughout college and given her interest in movement she completed yoga teacher training in 2008. Since then, she has taught yoga and strength training classes and has served as a clinical expert in yoga teacher training curriculum development and teaching workshops. She has completed additional training and is certified in trigger point dry needling and pelvic health physical therapy. She has also completed coursework for Pregnancy and Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist and has a particular interest in working with prenatal and postpartum patients. When Ellese is not working in clinic she enjoys teaching yoga, taking dance classes, gardening, traveling and spending time with her family.
Pete Olmos, PT, MPT
Physical Therapist
Peter Olmos became a licensed physical therapist in 2006. He has worked in an outpatient physical therapy setting for his entire career, treating patients with various musculoskeletal injuries. Pete’s interests include the post-operative return to sports for patients with shoulder and knee dysfunction as well as integration back into functional activities for the non-sports patient.
Sarah Roney, PT, DPT, WCS
Physical Therapist
Sarah graduated from Northwestern University with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy in Dec 2008. After working in acute care and neurological rehab, she decided to shift her focus to the in-demand field of pelvic floor physical therapy in 2015. Since then, she has received her board-certified clinical specialist designation in women’s health physical therapy (WCS) from the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialists. She enjoys working with a wide array of both male and female patients with bowel, bladder, and sexual dysfunction. Additionally, she is well versed to treat both pregnant and postpartum clients with pelvic floor issues. Sarah enjoys mentoring in the Women’s Health residency program at UNC. In her free time, she likes to travel and spend time outdoors with her husband and son.
Rebecca “Becca” Zhang, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist
Becca graduated with Honors from the University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill where she studied Exercise and Sport Science. In 2018, she received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Duke University. Becca has published papers and presented research on risk factors for neck pain, prevention of workplace injuries, and neuromuscular changes following knee surgery. She has a particular interest in conditions of the spine; however, she enjoys working with a variety of individuals to assist them with meeting their goals for return to work, sport, and previous lifestyle.
