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Jacob Tesch

Doctor of Physical Therapy
Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist
Advanced Functional Dry Needling Specialist​
Certified Level 1 CrossFit Trainer

Jake was a founding partner of For Life Therapy Inc in July of 2012.  Since then, he has been expanding his dream of offering the highest level of intervention to all individuals in the Watertown area, and throughout South Dakota.  In 2013, he was awarded a Board Certification in Orthopedic Physical Therapy by the American Physical Therapy Association, the first in Watertown!  In 2019, he also became the first Physical Therapist in our area to receive certification as a Functional Dry Needling Specialist.  In addition to his Physical Therapy certifications, he also holds a Level 1 CrossFit Trainer Certification with certificates in Mobility and Olympic Weightlifting. He is currently serving as the President of the South Dakota Physical Therapy Association, and is active with local legislation in expanding and enhancing the scope of practice for Physical Therapists across our state. Jake graduated with his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND in 2010.

“Human Movement has always been my focus with rehab.  I have seen incredible improvements in pain and functional limitations with very minor changes to an individual’s movement.  This is the driving force behind my ‘For Life Model’ of treatment.”

In his free time Jake enjoys training in power lifting and CrossFit.  He spends the rest of his free time with his wife and 3 children. 

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Zachary Lambrechts

Doctor of Physical Therapy
Advanced Functional Dry Needling Specialist

Zach is a Doctor of Physical Therapy having received his degree from the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND. He possesses a Bachelor's of Science degree with a major in Biology and a minor in Chemistry.

He has a passion for athletic rehab, surgical rehab, and returning to sports interventions. Zach has done some research and has written a dissertation regarding prevention of adolescent injuries through early identification of weaknesses using functional movement assessments.  He also possesses multiple years of experience with geriatric physical therapy.

While obtaining his Bachelor's degree, Zach played 4 years of college baseball, with one year at Wallace State College in Alabama, and three years at Mount Marty College in Yankton, SD. He received a few notable awards in the Great Plains Athletic Conference for his career playing baseball. Following his playing career, he was an assistant coach at the college level and he coordinated the strength and conditioning program for the Mount Marty Lancers.

He was born and raised in northeast South Dakota and loves spending his spare time in the outdoors, hunting and fishing.  If Zach isn't hunting or fishing, he can be found playing amateur baseball or golf and spending time with his wife, children and other family at the lake.

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Megan Nankivel 

Doctor of Physical Therapy
LSVT BIG Certified®

Megan is a Doctor of Physical Therapy graduate from the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND. She completed her undergraduate degree in Athletic Training at the University of Mary while she was an athlete on the Women’s Soccer Team.

Megan is a Nebraska native who has been residing the Dakotas for the last 12 years. Megan is married and has 2 daughters. She enjoys pheasant hunting and has begun to gain more interest in deer hunting as well as bow hunting. Also, Megan enjoys essential oils, making homemade cards, baking goodies, game night, reading, running and spending time with family and friends.

Megan’s special interests in physical therapy include geriatrics and neurological rehabilitation, and she completed clinical rotations in these areas. She currently serves as a South Dakota State Advocate for the Geriatric Section of the American Physical Therapy Association. Megan has done research in the area of aquatic therapy for neurological rehabilitation. In 2013, she presented her research project at the Combined Sections Meeting, a national Physical Therapy conference relating to the topic of aquatic therapy and core strengthening. She hopes to continue research in this area as well as expand her expertise in geriatrics and neurological rehabilitation. Megan is currently pursuing her Geriatric Specialty Certification. Also, Megan is expanding our For Life Therapy Model of treatment into Sioux Falls, providing outpatient Physical Therapy through Fit My Feet, an orthotic and specialty shoe store.

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Christine Cass

Master of Physical Therapy
Board Certified Geriatric Specialist
LSVT BIG Certified®

Chris holds a Master of Physical Therapy from the U.S. Army Baylor University Physical Therapy Program. In addition, she is Master of Exercise Science graduate from Georgia Southern University. She has been practicing physical therapy for over 19 years with the past 10 years primarily within a geriatric setting. She is currently preparing to take the American Physical Therapy Association board certification to become a Geriatric Certified Specialist in early 2020. Her continuing education is ongoing with courses in dementia and in geriatric rehabilitation and wellness. Chris is LSVT BIG Certified for treating patients with Parkinson's Disease. She received her Board Certification in Geriatric Physical Therapy in 2020.

Chris and her family relocated to South Dakota in 2013 after her husband retired from the Army after 21 years of service. Chris is also an Army veteran who served for 14 years. She left active duty to care for her two children while continuing her physical therapy work in the civilian sector. Originally, Chris is a Minnesota native and her husband is from Pierre, South Dakota.

Chris enjoys the outdoors with family camping trips, annual family pheasant hunting, hiking, and bike riding. She also loves chasing the kids around to their numerous sporting activities. Her family loves living in the country with two dogs, back yard hunting, chicken raising, and garden growing.

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Chelsey Mulholland

Physical Therapist Assistant
LSVT BIG Certified®

Chelsey received her A.A.S. through Lake Area Technical Institute here in Watertown, SD. Prior to that Chelsey achieved an undergraduate B.A. at St. Cloud State University, MN with a Psychology major and Biology minor.

She is certified in instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization and kinesiotaping through NASMI where they integrate the two techniques into restoring optimal movement. Chelsey is certified to perform pre-work screens through the KEY system, has her LSVT BIG training, and has taken courses with behavioral methods for pain management, cognitive rehabilitation, and memory enhancement.

Chelsey loves the variety of patients and diagnoses she is able to treat as it keeps her on her toes. She especially enjoys treating pain, posture and balance disorders, and integrating preventative approaches. She looks at every patient as a unique individual, who more than likely will have good days and setbacks, yet will always try to let them know and feel that is normal. 

Chelsey is from a small southwestern town in Minnesota where she cherishes her "country roots," helping and having fun on her grandparents farm for much of her upbringing. It has taught her the importance of hard work, quality of life, and family. She has resided in Watertown for 5 years and is happily settled with her husband and their son. They enjoy fishing, kayaking, camping, watching football and traveling together.

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Julie Neilan

Physical Therapist Assistant
Office Assistant and Biller

Julie is one of our Physical Therapist Assistants and Biller at For Life Therapy, Inc. She thoroughly enjoys both roles and has learned a lot in her years with the company. 

Julie graduated from Lake Area Technical Institute in 2015 as a Physical Therapist Assistant. She also holds a Bachelor Degree in Health Sciences from the University of South Dakota. Julie is certified to perform our Occupational Health screens for area businesses. She gets to meet interesting people and in a short session work with them on their safe lifting in the work place. In 2019, Julie attended a fascinating course on patients with Dementia, learning many old and new ways to approach, engage, and work with people of varying abilities. She looks forward to the opportunities for continuing education provided and encouraged by For Life Therapy, Inc. Julie is a proponent of #choosePT and is learning to advocate more for our profession! Julie is active with the South Dakota Physical Therapy Association, serving on the Reimbursement Committee.

On a personal note, Julie enjoys spending time with her husband, family, and friends. She adores her little nieces and loves up on them as much as possible. Julie continues to enjoy the outdoors when weather permits and quiet indoor activities when it doesn’t!

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Logan Lambrechts

Physical Therapist Assistant

Logan joined our team in 2019 as a PTA in Sioux Falls. He graduated from LATI in 2015. Outside of work Logan enjoys golfing, hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family at Big Stone Lake. During the fall don't bother him on Sundays as he will be watching football cheering for his Vikings! SKOL!

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Amanda Tesch 

Office Administrator and Biller
Registered Dietitian, Licensed Nutritionist

Amanda joined For Life Therapy as the Office Administrator and Biller in 2015. Prior to taking on this new role, she practiced full-time as a Registered Dietitian 2005-2015, with focuses in Diabetes prevention and education and rural community health, and also nutrition in aging and the elderly population.  Amanda has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from North Dakota State University, and she has an interest in all areas of physical health. She continues to practice part-time as a clinical Registered Dietitian in the community.

Amanda is married to Jake; Together they have 3 children. Amanda has a passion for animals and she serves as a board member for the Glacial Lakes Humane Society and Shelter. She also enjoys gardening.

Michaella Gamber

Photo Coming Soon

Office Assistant

Michaella joined our team in 2021. When you first call or arrive, Michaella will greet you with a smile, and she will help you start your physical therapy journey with For Life Therapy. 

Michaella enjoys spending spending time with her husband, new daughter and their dogs.

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