Elite Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine:Our Team

Biagio Mazza
- Owner and Physical Therapist

B.S., Rockhurst University, Valedictorian, 1999
M.P.T., Rockhurst University, 2001
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, NSCA, 2001
Certified Personal Trainer, NSCA, 2002
Orthopedic Clinical Specialist Board Certified, ABPTS, 2005
Sport Clinical Specialist Board Certified, ABPTS, 2008
Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist, IAOM, 2009
DPT, EIM Institute of Health, 2010

Biagio clocks more than 150 hours a year in continuing education, well beyond the state’s standards for physical therapy. Why? It’s his business and his passion. And it says a lot about the kind of clinic he runs and the quality of staff he leads.

Biagio himself is certified by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties as an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist and a Sports Clinical Specialist. There are fewer than 50 therapists nationwide who hold both of these distinctions. He also has worked as an adjunct instructor at Rockhurst, is an active member of the Kansas and Missouri Physical Therapy Associations, and has served as a physical therapy consultant for the Kansas City Royals. Biagio is a strong advocate for the Private Practice Section of the American Physical Therapy Association.

From the beginning, Biagio knew he wanted to combine sports with science. When he met Judy Hensley, his teacher and mentor, he knew he wanted to shift his interests to physical therapy and helping a wide range of people improve their quality of—and movement through—life.

And he’s made a mark. Elite enjoys a reputation for quality care.

Biagio specializes in:

manual therapy
postural training
biomechanics
functional exercise
complex spinal pathology

Michael Hauber
- Physical Therapist

B.S., University of Kansas, 2012
D.P.T., Rockhurst University, 2015

To this day, Michael still struggles to keep up with his family. Because he grew up in an active household—his parents and two sisters were always playing Frisbee, badminton, hiking, biking, speed-walking—he views movement as a lifestyle, a way to connect to others and to challenge yourself.

He brings that philosophy to Elite—working one-on-one with his patients to improve their movement and their lives, even in the smallest way. With Elite, he joined another family that pushes him professionally through continuing education, reading and practical application to be the best physical therapist he can be for each and every one of his patients.

Michael’s specialties include:

Manual therapy
Orthopedics
Differential diagnosis
Spine care
Natural Movement Fitness

Leslie Ricketts
- Physical Therapist

B.A., Drury University, 2001
M.P.T., Rockhurst University, 2004
MovNat Certified Trainer, 2014

Leslie likes the fact that physical therapy allows her to play an integral role in her patients’ care. And she takes that role seriously.
Leslie works with patients, not programs. She assesses each patient’s needs and develops an individualized program and treatment that combines manual therapy and exercise—specifically for that patient. She believes that personal attention combined with a customized program speeds recovery and helps her clients return to their normal lives, without limitations.

Leslie’s treatment specialties include:

correction of muscle imbalances
biomechanical dysfunction
faulty movement patterns

Justin Trent
- Physical Therapist

B.A, Rockhurst University, 2007
D.P.T., Rockhurst University, 2010
Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist, IAOM, 2012
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, 2013
Orthopedic Clinical Specialist Board Certification, 2013

As a physical therapist, Justin found the opportunity to motivate, teach, and heal–and help others through their journey from injury to recovery to wellbeing.

In the clinic, Justin draws on his knowledge and the diverse experience of his fellow physical therapists to meet his patients’ concerns with compassion-driven care. He works as a partner in his patients’ health, empowering them with knowledge of their condition and the tools to take control of their bodies.

From the first foot in the door to the final step of recovery, Justin sees his role in his patients’ health as a privilege.

Justin specializes in:

advanced manual therapy techniques
kinesiological analysis and training
functional integration
patient education

Justin R. Snead
- Physical Therapist

B.S., Health and Exercise Science, Missouri Western State University, 2002
D.P.T., Rockhurst University, 2013

Justin firmly believes in the healing power of exercise. He’s seen it firsthand. That’s why he takes the time to educate his patients on postures and activities to allow them to treat themselves. With physical therapy, patients aren’t prescribed a pill: exercise is the medicine.

It’s precisely that philosophy that attracted him to the field and to practice at Elite Physical Therapy. At Elite, physical therapists like Justin work one-on-one and as a team to treat the whole patient, referring them as necessary to Elite’s in-house massage therapists, personal trainers, or dietary specialists—all to provide the best care possible.

Justin’s treatment specialties include:

manual therapy
orthopedics
joint mobilization
muscle stretching
soft-tissue mobilization

Brett Beltrame
- Physical Therapist

B.S., Iowa State University, 2005
Certified Athletic Trainer, 2005
D.P.T., University of Iowa, 2007

What does it mean when you put patients first?

For Brett, it means you don’t treat patients from a “cookbook” of therapeutic recipes or pass patients from therapist to therapist. He focuses on building relationships with each patient, one at a time, whether they’re an NFL athlete, weekend warrior or someone recovering from surgery.

And then he gives each patient personalized, one-on-one treatment that pulls from many different therapeutic approaches and techniques. The goal: treat the patient, not the symptom, so they can live life in full motion.

Brett’s specialties include:

exercise and sports science
athletic training
manual therapy
functional exercises
sports rehabilitation
post-surgical rehabilitation
orthopedic injuries

Holly Smothers
- Marketing & Communications Manager & Nutritional Therapy Practitioner

Since Holly can remember her health has been a priority for her. She has continually seen the profound impact taking care of her body with nutrition, movement, rest, and strength-building can have on her overall health and daily life.

Holly was drawn to the marketing position at Elite because it gives her the opportunity to spread awareness about the impact that Physical Therapy can have on people’s overall life. She believes that if you can move well and without pain, you will have the strength and confidence to conquer anything life throws your way.

Holly particularly liked the environment and approach Elite has with patients, and their viewpoint that each person that walks through the door is different, and therefore should be treated accordingly.

The Physical Therapists provide individualized care to each patient, with undivided attention. She believes nutrition should be approached in the same way, as there is no “perfect, one-size-fits-all diet.”

The therapists are also knowledgeable beyond anything she has experienced. Beyond that, the company itself is the “Ideal Business” she always learned about in business school, and says that the camaraderie between all staff members is incomparable.

HOLLY SPECIALIZES IN:

Digital Marketing & Communications
Event Coordination & Planning
Developing Dietary Changes For The Long-term
Women’s Health & Hormonal Balance

GET TO KNOW HOLLY:

Holly was born and raised in Lake Saint Louis, MO. Growing up she played soccer, basketball, ran track, was a competitive water skier, and participated in private gymnastics lessons for fun.

She not only loves playing sports of all kinds, but also loves to watch them. With a front-row preference, she decided to try-out for the high school cheerleading team and fell in love with it. After high school she continued her cheerleading career at Mizzou!

After graduating from Mizzou in 2015, Holly did not want to go home but didn’t want to move too far away so she chose to accept an internship at at Marketing Agency in Kansas City. During this time she fell completely in love with Kansas City, especially the Crossroads area. A month later she was hired on Full Time as a Project Manager, where she worked for 2.5 years.

After experiencing some health complications, Holly decided to move back to St. Louis for a year while making a career change to help individuals improve their health and overall lives starting with nutrition. She began working part time at Elite as a Marketing Coordinator, while completing a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (NTP) certification. Upon completion, Holly and her rescue pup, Goji, moved back to Kansas City to work full-time at Elite as the Marketing Coordinator and NTP.

Her favorite things about Kansas City are all of the unique areas (especially the Crossroads), the awesome farmers markets, numerous local events, local gyms/studios & healthy food joints, and of course, Kansas City SPORTS (except when the Royals are playing the Cardinals)!

When Holly is not working, she stays busy spending time with friends, working out, walking her dog, watching sports, traveling, hiking, water skiing, or creating masterpieces in the kitchen, especially healthy dessert alternatives.

Be sure to introduce yourself to Holly next time you are at Elite, and tell her your favorite joke. Also, keep an eye out in our newsletters and on social media for recipes and health tips!

FOLLOW HER ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

HOLLY’S BIO:

B.S. Business Administration, Marketing Emphasis University of Missouri, 2015
Certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, 2019

Courtney West
- Massage Therapist

Massage Therapy Training Institute, 1998
Sacred Body Clinical Mentorship program, 2010
LMT- Licensed Massage Therapist

Courtney has had her eye on working with the Elite team for a long time. Part of the reason: the people she gets to work with. From door to therapy floor to massage table, the health and wellness team at Elite Physical Therapy are talented, dedicated and caring.

But the biggest reason she chose Elite is its philosophy. At Elite, she can collaborate with her patient’s physical therapists and healthcare providers to provide customized massages and holistic care.

Because for Courtney and Elite, it’s not just about providing treatment, it’s about caring for people.

Courtney specializes in:

deep tissue
cupping
Bowen therapy
hot stone
aromatherapy
reflexology

Julie Clifford
- External Marketing Manager

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Christine Dunne Morrison
- Patient Service Specialist

B.S., University of Kansas, 1984

Christine chose to work at Elite for many of the same reasons that our patients choose to receive their therapy here. From the door to the therapy floor, Elite is staffed with capable, caring people.

And Christine will be one of the first to greet you and help put you at ease as you begin your journey to recovery.

As a former scout leader, cross country team mother, reading tutor, and now Elite’s patient service specialist, Christine knows how to help people get to their goals.

Wendy Laurence
Patient Services Specialist

Wendy was born and raised in Kansas City and attended college at Longview Community College. She has since worked in customer service and sales in tanning salons, was a leasing agent, and even owned a roofing company for four years! Wendy hoped to switch into a role within the health industry and stumbled upon an ad for a Patient Services Specialist position at Elite!

The ad actually fell right out of the newspaper for her to see! She was drawn to the part that talked about the opportunity to change the lives of patients, and make a unique connection with them.

In the past, it was always a goal of Wendy's to brighten the lives of her clients, and helping them leave the salon happier than when they came in. She saw the unique opportunity to link arms with other employees at Elite and do just that.

After spending just one day at Elite Wendy said she felt more appreciated than she has at any other job in awhile. She said, "There is always a very positive vibe in the office and I enjoy going into work."

Outside of work Wendy enjoys traveling and photography. Her favorite things to take photos of include scenic views, flowers, and landscapes. You can find her snapping random photos downtown to find beauty in things that most people don't think about.

Wendy's love for vacation, adventure, and the outdoors took her to her two favorite vacation spots: Portland, Oregon and the Cayman Islands.

She recommends driving up and down the coast in Oregon and taking time to stop and visit all of the different towns along the way. The unique charm of each town is something you don't want to miss!

Biagio Mazza
- Owner and Physical Therapist

B.S., Rockhurst University, Valedictorian, 1999 M.P.T., Rockhurst University, 2001 Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, NSCA, 2001 Certified Personal Trainer, NSCA, 2002 Orthopedic Clinical Specialist Board Certified, ABPTS, 2005 Sport Clinical Specialist Board Certified, ABPTS, 2008 Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist, IAOM, 2009 DPT, EIM Institute of Health, 2010 Biagio clocks more than 150 hours a year in continuing education, well beyond the state’s standards f...