Meet the Staff

Kelly Eckols, PT, MS

Kelly Eckols, PT, MS received her Bachelor's of Science Degree in Exercise and Sports Science in 1992 from Texas Tech University. After teaching junior high for 3 years, she decided to go back to school to further her skills in the exercise field. Kelly graduated from Texas Woman's University in July 1999 with a Master of Science degree in physical therapy. She is currently working towards her Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Kelly has worked in outpatient orthopedic clinics in the D/FW Metroplex Area since her graduation and in November 2003 founded Premier Rehab. As the owner of Premier Rehab, she has worked closely with area orthopedic surgeons in providing the highest quality patient care specializing in orthopedics. Kelly also speaks to PT schools in the Dallas area about physical therapy as a private practice, has been a public speaker at the APTA Private Practice conference and conferences for Hydroworx®. Kelly opened her second and third location in 2006, and the fourth location in March 2009, with 2 locations including the Hydroworx® pool. Kelly is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, along with the Private Practice, Aquatics and Orthopedic Specialist Sections. She is also certified in Mat Pilates, and is currently taking classes towards her Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy at Texas Woman's University. Kelly has an intense passion to provide the highest quality of care, and employ the highest qualified clinicians that make physicians proud to send their patients to her facilities.

Schnell Chase

Schnell Chase s a PT Tech and has been a part of the Premier Rehab team since May 2010. She graduated from Texas Woman's University with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology in May of 2010. Schnell plans to apply to PT schools in the fall for a DPT program for the 2011 class. Once she receives her DPT, she plans to work in an outpatient clinic or be a traveling therapist. In her spare time, she loves to shop, read, watch movies, spend time with the people she loves, and watch her favorite shows.

Maria Underwood is Premier Rehab's Office Manager. She has worked in the medical field since 1999 which is when she received her Medical Assistant Certification. Maria assisted in the ground breaking endeavors of Premier Rehab when it opened in Novemeber 2003. Maria specializes in supervising all office staff and billing at each of Premier Rehab's locations.

Ellen Murray, PT, MS, is Premier Rehab's Clinic Director for the North Richland Hills Director. She received her Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Science in 1986 from the University of California, Santa Barbara. After working as a Systems Analyst in the Dallas/Ft Worth Area for several years she decided to make a career change. Ellen graduated from Texas Woman's University with a Master of Science I Physical Therapy in July 1999. She is currently working towards her Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Ellen has worked in outpatient orthopedic clinics throughout the Metroplex. Ellen joined the team at Premier Rehab in May 2004. Ellen is committed to excellence and meeting the needs of her patients and the physicians for whom she serves. She plans to work toward a specialization in manual therapy over the next year. Her interests include manual therapy, orthopedics, spine rehabilitation and sports injuries. Ellen is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, Texas Physical Therapy Association and the Orthopedic Specialist Sections.

Jana joined Premier Rehab on a part-time basis in January 2008. She attended Abilene Christian University prior to obtaining her Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy at the UTMB School of Allied Health Sciences in Galveston in 1982. Over the past 26 years she has experienced a variety of physical therapy settings including inpatient and outpatient neurological rehab. The past 10 years she has worked in outpatient orthopedics. Jana is also co-owner, with her husband, of continuing ED which provides continuing education seminars for physical therapists.

Lori Day, PT, MS, received her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science in 1991 from Brigham Young University. In 1993, she graduated from Texas Women's University Houston with a Master of Science in Physical Therapy. Over the last 13 years, she has worked in a variety of settings including outpatient neuro, inpatient rehabilitation hospital and outpatient orthopedic geriatrics and vestibular rehab. Her current interests are in Manual therapy and orthopedics.

John joined Premier Rehab in October 2008. He received his Associate's degree as a Physical Therapist Assistant from Cerritos College in May 2002. John has worked in private outpatient clinics and retirement facilities in San Diego, California treating orthopedics, sport injuries and geriatrics. He relocated to Texas in 2007 where he has worked in an outpatient clinic in Arlington, Texas. In his spare time, John likes to spend time with family and going fishing. He is a CPR instructor and is a member of the APTA, national and Texas chapters.

Erika

Erika was born raised in the Hurst-Euless-Bedford area and graduated from Trinity High School. She attended Tarrant County College and graduated in 2010 with an Associates in Applied Sciences for Physical Therapist Assistant. She hopes to receive her Bachelors degree soon. When Erika is not working she likes to watch t.v., download music, and take long naps with her dog, Franklin. She also enjoys anything that has to do with Harry Potter, hanging out with her family and eating great food.

Lindsey

Lindsey was born in raised in a small town outside of Abilene and graduated from Clyde High School in 2004. She graduated from Texas Tech University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sport Science. In her spare time she loves to play and watch sports and also listening to live music. Lindsey started as a tech in May of 2010 and hopes on continuing her education and attending PT or PTA school.

Crystal

Crystal joined Premier Rehab in March of 2010 as a physical therapy technician. Crystal graduated from Keller High School in 2004. She got her Associate's degree from TCC and is currently attending Texas Women's University in Denton. After earning a Bachelor's in Kinesiology, her goal is to be accepted in to a Physical Therapy school in the area. In her free time Crystal enjoys spending time with family and friends, and playing recreational soccer.

Stefanie Peterson received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 2000 from Kansas State University. After many years of customer service and 4 years as an Office Manager, she decided to pursue a career change in Physical Therapy. Stefanie joined the Premier Rehab team in June 2008. She loved working with people and helping them reach and accomplish their personal goals. In her spare time, Stefanie loves to shop, decorate and most importantly spend time with her husband, friends and her Chihuahua, Bailey.

Candy received her Bachelor of Science in Biology in 2002 from Texas Woman's University. She worked as a rehabilitation technician for 3 years and an Education Therapist for 2 years with traumatic brain injury patients at Centre for Neuro Skills. Then, she went back to school and received her Masters of Science in Physical Therapy from Texas Woman's University in July 2006. She plans on obtaining her Certification in Orthopedic Manual Therapy soon and is currently working towards her Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Candy is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and Texas Physical Therapy Association.

Carol, our newest member of the team, joined Premier Rehab in January 2010 after receiving her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in 2009. Carol previously received a Bachelor's degree in Movement Science from Texas Christian University in 2006. Her interests include rooting for the UT Longhorns, taking her dog Ginger for walks, and spending time with family. Carol strives to provide quality care to her patients and plans to continue to progress her skills in manual therapy and treating orthopedic conditions.

Angela joined Premier Rehab in September 2008. She is a Physical Therapy Technician and a full-time Kinesiology/ Pre-PT major at Texas Woman's University. Angela's goal is to graduate in 2011 with a Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology and then go to Graduate school to obtain a Doctoral degree in Physical Therapy. Angela has played soccer for 14 years and enjoys all kinds of sports. After 8 years of school Angela would love to work in Corporate Fitness and as a Physical Therapist to help others reach their fitness and rehabilitation goals.

Hollie is the office coordinator for Keller location. Hollie graduated from Victor Valley High School located in California in 1982. She worked for Victor Valley Community Hospital for 15 years. In April of 2006, Hollie and her family moved to Texas when she joined Premier Rehab in October of 2006. Hollie loves to spend time with husband of 14 years, her two children ages 14 and 9, and their dog named Shiloh. Hollie and her family love to spend their spare time camping outdoors and skiing.