Meet The Team
Ellen Tomsic | PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT
Ellen is a Board Certified Clinical Specialist. She is Fellowship trained in Manual Therapy, and is an active Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists. Ellen has been practicing physical therapy since 1990 and in Durango since 2000.
As our technology and body of research continues to expand, Ellen believes in maintaining personal contact with each patient. Her goal is to return you to your life as fast as possible, and to achieve this she's committed to continuously pursuing advanced education in manual therapy. Ellen offers the following credentials, training, background and experience.
Ellen enjoys living in Durango for the outdoor activities it offers. In the summer she hikes with her husband and two dogs (Sadie and Sprocket) and rides both her road and mountain bike as much as possible. In the winter Ellen enjoys snowboarding and skiing. Ellen is a big enthusiast of dog agility and herding, and her dog Sadie holds a national title in Dog Agility.
Laura Wenger | PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT
Laura has been at Tomsic PT since she moved to Durango in Fall of 2014. She is a graduate of a Physical Therapy Orthopaedic Residency program at the University of Utah, where she spent her first year as a PT in focused clinical practice, didactics, and teaching roles to expand her knowledge in orthopaedic care of musculoskeletal injuries and disorders.
Through her residency training, she was eligible to become a Board-Certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist, which she accomplished in 2015. Laura also completed Evidence in Motion's Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy Fellowship in April of 2019 to join Ellen as the second fellowship-trained PT in the Durango area. Laura’s completion of this optional advanced training demonstrates her dedication to the profession and to her patients.
Laura is currently furthering her studies with a teaching and research focus with a Doctor of Science in Physical Therapy, anticipating graduation in December 2023. Along with being an Associate Instructor at the University of Utah's Hybrid Doctor of Physical Therapy program, she enjoys teaching students in the clinic to help to instill inquisitiveness and clinical reasoning as a strong basis for physical therapists.
She is passionate about teaching people to move with better quality in order to achieve their goals, however small or big they may seem, and is enthusiastic about furthering her education and experiences within the exciting field of physical therapy.
Laura was raised in a Spanish bilingual family and community can speak conversational Spanish.
Laura is originally from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, but has stayed in the western part of the United States since her first move to Colorado in 2006. She quickly fell in love with the people, mountains, and lifestyle of the west, and has had the opportunity to be a resident of the beautiful states of Colorado, Washington, and Utah along her journeys. She, along with her husband, Patrick, son Silas, and daughter Esmé are very happy to call Durango, CO home and are looking forward to their continual explorations of everything in the area. In her free time, Laura enjoys hiking, trail running, alpine skiing and touring, yoga, as well as surfing when she gets the opportunity to head to the ocean.
Christine Richards | PT, DPT, OCS, CMPT
Christine is a Board-Certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist and joined Tomsic Physical Therapy when she moved to Durango in the summer of 2020. A lifelong learner, she is committed to advancing her skills to provide the best care possible for her patients.
She is currently pursuing a certification in manual therapy through the North American Institute of Orthopaedic Manual Therapy. Christine has a background as a massage therapist and yoga teacher, regularly incorporating those skills into her physical therapy treatments when appropriate. Christine is passionate about helping her patients achieve their goals and improve their quality of life. She has a special interest in pain neuroscience and chronic pain disorders.
Christine grew up in Wisconsin but has lived out West most of her adult life. She worked and traveled seasonally for many years after meeting her husband in Alaska in 2006. After living in several different mountain towns, Christine, Tom, and their dog Choyu are thrilled to make their home in Durango. Christine enjoys hiking, skate skiing, yoga, reading, singing, and sitting on her deck listening to the wind in the aspens.
Dr. Daven Valdez | PT, DPT
Dr. Daven Valdez received his Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science from Colorado Mesa University and then earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy from University of Colorado in 2020.
Originally from Southwest Colorado, he is dedicated to providing high quality care to the communities that raised him. Daven provides an individualized, evidence-based treatment approach that meets each patient’s specific goals. He is experienced in treating orthopedics, sports rehabilitation, concussion, vestibular pathologies, and is certified to perform dry needling. Daven completed a clinical rotation with Tomsic in 2020 and is excited to return to Durango as the newest member of the Tomsic team!
When he is not helping people return to the activities that they love, Daven can be found enjoying the Colorado outdoors with his dog.
Emma Stetler
Emma joined Tomsic Physical Therapy in the winter of 2024. Emma holds a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Baylor University. As a certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and Athletic Performance Coach, Emma is committed to maximizing human performance. Her dedication extends beyond the clinic, where she devotes her free time to coaching soccer for Durango Rio Rapids and training young athletes in the gym.
Emma’s professional focus includes sports physical therapy, orthopedics, and autonomic nervous system disorders. She is passionate about aiding individuals to return to their passions stronger and better than before through individualized treatment and evidence-based practice.
Amber OTT | PTA
Amber has been a licensed physical therapist assistant since completing education with PIMA Medical Institute in the spring of 2021. Amber comes from the Denver metro area and has experience as a personal trainer and sales associate at multiple running stores in the Denver area. This experience has led Amber to have a significant amount of knowledge about running, shoes and she is passionate about helping people get back to their activity of choice through movement and education.
Amber and her husband, Luke, have decided to move to southwestern CO and will reside in Mancos with their cat, Punkin. Amber enjoys the outdoors, rock climbing, and cross-country skiing. Amber also enjoys going to concerts and going to breweries to enjoy a beer.
Brandye Turner | Office Manager
Brandye grew up in Durango, Colorado. She graduated from Fort Lewis College with a degree in Humanities with emphasis in Anthropology, English and Spanish.
Brandye was a Rotary exchange student to Mexico in her youth and continues to be fluent in Spanish. She has over 30 years of Office Management and IT experience.
She enjoys spending time hiking and biking with her 4 grandchildren and 3 dogs and loves to dance.
Josh
Originally from Colorado Springs, CO, Josh moved to Durango in 2019 to attend Fort Lewis College. Josh, is currently pursuing a bachelors in Exercise Science: Exercise Physiology.
In his free time, Josh enjoys participating in activities such as snowboarding, climbing, hiking, and playing guitar.
Kinzi Stiedle, Front Office Coordinator
Originally from Austin, Texas, Kinzi moved here in 2018 after meeting her partner. In 2020 she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Texas in International Business & Cultural/Social Anthropology.
In her off time Kinzi enjoys going to music festivals and hiking along with her partner & 3 dogs.
Dannon Yake
Originally from Grand Junction, CO, Dannon moved to Durango in 2022 to attend Fort Lewis College. She is currently pursuing a degree in Exercise Physiology. In her free time, Dannon likes to play soccer, ski, and go hiking.
Grace Rogers
Grace is originally from Silverthorne, Colorado and is a student at Fort Lewis College studying Exercise Physiology with hopes to go to Physical Therapy school. When Grace isn't at school or work, she enjoys skiing, hiking, and photography, as well as spending time with her friends and family.
Ben
Ben's bio coming soon
Tomsic PT (970) 259-0574 info@tomsicpt.com
The leading private physical therapy clinic in Durango, CO with over 130+ 5-Star Google Reviews which helps people to become more active and mobile, live free from painkillers, and keep out of the doctor's office.