Our physical and occupational therapists work as part of the Highlands team to improve the side effects of your cancer and treatment. Oncology rehabilitation is beneficial from diagnosis, throughout your treatment, and into survivorship.

Physical Therapy can help with:

Occupational Therapy can help with:

Gina Baumgartner, PT, DPT, GCS, CLT-LANA

Doctor of Physical Therapy

PT and Massage Manager

Certificate of Achievement in Pelvic Health

Certified Oncology Rehabilitation Therapist

Springdale location

Gina received her B.A. in Biology from the University of North Texas in 1994, B.S. in Physical Therapy from U.T. Southwestern Allied Health Professions in 1997, and her Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of Montana, Missoula in 2016. Gina became a Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT) from Klose Training in 2018 and is Lymphology Association of North America (LANA) certified. She is also a board-certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist (GCS) through the American Physical Therapy Association. Gina achieved her Certificate of Achievement in Pelvic Health through the American Physical Therapy Association’s division of Women and Pelvic Health. She also received certification as an Oncology Rehabilitation Therapist through the Physiological Oncology Rehabilitation Institute (PORi) in 2022. Gina is the supervisor of Physical Therapy and Massage. Other areas of competency include pelvic health, vestibular disorders, generalized deconditioning and weakness, gait and balance deficits, neuromuscular conditions, fall prevention, and orthopedic problems. She enjoys hiking, cycling, traveling, and spending time with her family.

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Tenley Williams, PT, DPT, CLT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

Springdale location

Tenley received her B.S in Exercise Science from Harding University in 2017 and her Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) in 2020. Tenley served on the Board of Directors for the North Street Clinic at UAMS, providing free interprofessional healthcare services to the Marshallese population living in Northwest Arkansas and was awarded the Excellence in Orthopedic Rehabilitation Award. She also was awarded the Ethan Van Camp Memorial Award for community service through physical therapy. Tenley became a Certified Lymphedema Therapist through Norton School of Lymphatic Therapy in 2019. Tenley has a passion for serving oncology patients affected by lymphedema. She enjoys crafting, reading, running, and spending time with her family and her dog.

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Anne Cope, PT, DPT, OCS, CLT

Ann is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and is an APTA board-certified Orthopedic Specialist. Anne became a Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT) through Klose training in September 2022. She completed her DPT at Maryville University in St. Louis, MO in 2014, Her BS in 2012, and her orthopedic residency through Evidence in Motion in 2016. She is also certified in dry trigger point dry needling. Anne was the clinic manager for ApexNetwork Physical Therapy in Centerton since 2018 and the Clinic Director of Texas Physical Therapy Specialists in Leander, TX. She will be working at the PW location. Anne lives in Bentonville with her husband and two young daughters.

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Aileen Wolf Johnson, OTD, OTR/L, CLT

Aileen is a Doctor of Occupational Therapy who is coming to us from Kansas City, Missouri. She has worked with adult patients at North Kansas City Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation and pediatrics in school and outpatient settings. She has been a CLT since March 2022. She received her OTD from Mary Baldwin University in 2017 and her BS in Psychology in 2014 from Virginia Commonwealth University. She received her CLT from the Academy of Lymphatic Studies. She is a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association and the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy. Aileen will be working at both the BCC and PW clinics. She will be partnering with PT to develop peripheral neuropathy, cancer-related fatigue, and chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment programs in addition to treating patients with impaired fine motor skills and lymphedema. She worked and lived in NWA in the past and is returning to settle in Fayetteville with her husband.

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Ali Guthrie, PT, DPT Doctor of Physical Therapy

Ali received her B.S in Kinesiology from the University of Arkansas in 2016 and her Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of Central Arkansas in 2020. She went on to complete a Residency in Acute Care from Northwestern’s Feinberg School of Medicine Residency Program in Chicago, IL and graduated from this program in 2023. She has a special interest in treating patients with traumatic injuries, neurologic pathologies, and cardiovascular and pulmonary conditions. She plans to become Lymphedema Certified through Klose Training by the end of 2023. Ali returns to the NWA area with a passion for learning and growing in the field of Oncologic Physical Therapy. Ali is also a 200-hour certified Yoga instructor and enjoys incorporating the breath and movement principles of yoga into her treatment plans.

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Cathy Riggins, PTA

Cathy received her A.A.S. from St. Louis Community College in 2014.While attending STLCC she was awarded the STAR award After graduation she relocated to NWA and worked for Washington Regional Medical Center in acute care and outpatient settings. Cathy has a passion for Physical Therapy and providing quality patient care to her patients. Cathy enjoys spending time with her children, outdoors, and cooking.

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*References:

oncologypt.org/oncology-for/

https://www.curetoday.com/community/amy-vant/2015/05/what-is-the-role-of-physical-therapy-in-cancer-recovery

• Alappattu Meryl et al. Clinical Characteristics of Patients with Cancer Referred for Outpatient Physical Therapy. Physical Therapy. April 2015 95 (4) 526-538.

• Lemanne D, Cassileth B, Gubili J. The role of physical activity in cancer prevention, treatment, recovery, and survivorship. Oncology. 2013, June; 27(6):580-5.

• Rizzo A. The Role of Exercise and Rehabilitation in the Cancer Care Plan. J Adv Pract Oncol. 2016;7;339-342

• Silver JK, Baima J, Mayer RS. Impairment-driven cancer rehabilitation: an essential component of quality care and survivorship. CA Cancer J Clin. 2013, Sept; 63(5):295-317