Office Location
7340 S. Alton Way, 11D Centennial, CO 80112
T: 720-493-1181 | F: 720-493-1191
Our Physical Therapists
Our Dry Creek physical therapy team is an amazing resource for when you need help getting back to health! Here are the guys and gals who are here to help:
Denise VanEpps, MPT, OCS, Vice President of Operations
Denise is a native of upstate NY and received her undergraduate degree from SUNY Cortland. She received her Master’s degree in Health and Exercise Science from Syracuse University and her Master of Physical Therapy from the American International College in Springfield, MA.
She initially became interested in physical therapy while rehabilitating an injury of her own and was further drawn to the profession as she found it was the perfect combination of her passion for science, sports and working with people. Denise is a board certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist and is certified by the American Institute of Balance as a vestibular and concussion specialist.
Denise enjoys the variety of patients she has the opportunity to help at Specialized PT and approaches each patient’s unique condition with an eclectic mix of manual therapy and functional exercise. Her favorite part of being a physical therapist is empowering her patients to get back to leading an active lifestyle.
Outside of the clinic she enjoys hiking, gardening, paddleboarding, scuba diving and outdoor adventures with her husband and three dogs. She is a volunteer with a local lab rescue and is currently training one of her pups to be a therapy dog.
Melissa McCarter PT, MPT, Clinic Director Dry Creek
Melissa obtained her BS in Kinesiology, Exercise Science and her Master’s in Physical Therapy at California State University, Long Beach (GO BEACH!).
As soon as Melissa graduated, she and her husband moved to Colorado to pursue the outdoors. Melissa loves to treat all orthopedic conditions but does have a passion for golf and through the Titleist Performance Institute became certified through the medical track, to help golfers get back to playing.
She is also certified in Dry Needling. In her down time she enjoys spending time with her husband and 3 boys. They enjoy the outdoors, sporting events, and getting in a round of golf around the kids busy schedules.
Haley Yeadon PT, DPT, Assistant Clinic Director Dry Creek
Haley Yeadon PT, DPT attended the University of Wyoming where she studied Kinesiology and Health Promotion. She then went on to earn her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Pacific University Oregon.
She initially pursued physical therapy after dealing with a back injury in high school. After going through graduate school and beginning her practice in outpatient orthopedics, she became passionate about Women’s Health care. She now primarily focuses on Women’s Health including clients through the lifespan with pelvic floor muscle dysfunction, those who are pregnant and/or post-partum or suffer from pelvic pain, incontinence and many more conditions.
She also treats orthopedic patients and loves to help educate patients about their bodies, diagnosis and see them through meeting all their goals. Haley is a very active individual who loves the outdoors including activities like hiking, camping, and paddleboarding.
She also has two young children who keep her busy with all their activities and a dog and a husband who she loves to come home to. If there is any additional free time, she enjoys yoga, crafting, scrapbooking, and mindless television.
Tara Ewald MSPT
Tara received both her undergraduate and Physical Therapy degrees from Ithaca College in Upstate NY. Her desire to become a Physical Therapist began back in high school when she realized she could combine her interests of all sciences, her love of playing sports and her goal of helping others.
Tara enjoys the variety in her caseload, treating spinal dysfunctions and orthopedic conditions at Specialized Physical Therapy; however, over the years, she has gained a special interest in treating clients with vestibular and balance deficits. She also finds it very important to educate her patients on proper body mechanics and work ergonomics to help with injury prevention. Tara is certified in Trigger Point Dry Needling.
Tara moved to Colorado in 2000 with her husband, Don, and enjoys everything the outdoors has to offer with her 2 children, Tanner and Devin.
Diana L. Nichols, PT
Diana received her undergraduate degree from the University of Kansas; then went on to KU Med Center in KC for PT school.
Diana became a PT after observing the local PT in Iola, KS when she decided to get into the health profession and thought this was something she would enjoy. She specializes in Men and Women’s Health and treatment of the pelvic floor.
Diana in particular likes to treat issues with pelvic and lumbar alignment as she finds this a keystone in promoting better pelvic floor health. Diana has been married since 1989 and has 3 children.
She lives east of Parker on 5 acres with a wonderful view of the mountains and enjoys gardening which is always a challenge in Colorado.
Claire Freeman PT, DPT
Claire went to Kansas State University for her degree in kinesiology and University of Saint Mary for her Doctorate of Physical Therapy.
She decided to start her journey into physical therapy because she loved watching college football and basketball growing up and was always curious about what happened behind the scenes of those crazy injuries that ended players seasons. Claire specializes in treating orthopedics, and in 2022 she became a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy.
She loves treating patients of all ages from head to toe! Claire has lived in Denver since 2017 and loves skiing in the winter and spring and is a casual hiker in the summer and fall.
Mary Banerjee
Mary Banerjee is our Pilates instructor who is passionate about teaching movement and learning new ways to teach it. She has worked with second generation Pilates teachers and taken classes in Franklin technique, Feldenkrais, myofascial release, neurofascial release , and pelvic floor to name a few.
She recently became a certified Franklin Method Pelvic Floor Trainer. She loves working with patients with pelvic floor issues, chronic pain and or scoliosis.
She believes anyone of any age can increase flexibility, strength, energy, and pain free living through focused movement. Mary loves to hike, practice Kundalini yoga and belly dance.
Kendra Alley MSPT, CMPT
Kendra attended undergraduate school at Colorado State University, followed by Graduate PT school at Regis University. She became a PT following her own rehabilitation experience and being involved in the Sports Medicine department at Colorado State University.
She is currently a Certified Manual therapist, as well as holding certifications in Trigger Point Dry Needling, and SFMA/ FMS.
She enjoys treating the spine, especially the cervical spine as well as TMJ, headaches, concussion and vestibular therapy. She is a Colorado native that enjoys all the State’s outdoor activities, enjoys travel, is a sports fanatic, avid reader, wine enthusiast, but most of all enjoys spending time with her husband Brad, her two children and fur baby Cooper.
Tessa Reiss PT, DPT
Tessa, a Colorado Native, completed her undergraduate studies at Chapman University where she graduated with a B.S. in Dance and a B.A. in Kinesiology. She later went on to receive her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University ofColorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus.
Tessa’s initial interest in physical therapy came from her passion for dance. She loves having the opportunity to utilize movement to connect with, support, and empower others in their everyday lives. Tessa has developed a particular enthusiasm for patient care in Orthopedic and Pelvic Health specialties.
Alongside her career in physical therapy, Tessa dances professionally in the local Denver area, currently performing with Authentic: Grooves. Outside of work she loves to hike, try new hobbies, eat good food, care for her house plants, and spend time with friends and family.
