Every member of the Physical Therapy of North Carolina team is a compassionate, caring and dedicated professional. We consider ourselves to be a family — to each other and to our patients and clients. Please take a moment to get to know each of us!

Yonica Rodio, DPT, Certified MDT | Owner

Send email to Yonica - Yonica graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1993 with a BS in Physical Therapy. After a brief stint in acute care and home health, she worked in outpatient orthopedics from 1994 through 2002. In 2003, Physical Therapy of North Carolina was opened with a vision of developing a clinic where patients are treated in an environment of comfort and great respect, with an obvious commitment to provide unprecedented clinical care.

In 2001 Yonica was credentialed in the McKenzie method of Spine Care (www.mckenziemdt.org). She continues to expand her knowledge and demonstrate her support and promotion of the PT profession through active participation on the local and state levels of the NCPTA and through continuing education. Yonica completed her transitional Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree from the University of North Carolina in May 2009.

Brandi McDaniel, DPT

Originally from Durham, Brandi joined Physical Therapy of North Carolina in September 2010. She received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree from East Carolina University where she completed extensive research on postural control and balance disorders. Brandi has past experience working in pediatrics with special interest in neuromuscular disorders.

Kathryn Lantz, PT, DPT

Originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, Kat received her Doctor of Physical Therapy from Duke University in 2008. Kat joined PT of NC in February of 2011, but has worked as an outpatient physical therapist since graduation, treating patients of all ages with musculoskeletal injuries due to sports, orthopedic surgery, strokes, etc. She also treats a number of patients with a history of falls, using interventions to increase balance and confidence in daily activities. Kat received her undergraduate degree in Spanish from the University of Tulsa and enjoys treating our Spanish-speaking patients. An avid runner and cyclist, Kat has been a participant in a number of triathlons, ranging from sprints to ironman distance races.

Dawn Loomis, PT, DPT

Dawn joined PT of NC in April 2011. Originally from Durham, Dawn graduated in May 2010 from East Carolina University with her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. Her areas of interest within the profession include working with stroke, sports rehab and general orthopedic disorders.

Kate Johnston, DPT

Originally from suburban Philadelphia, Kate returned to the home of her alma mater and joined the PT of NC team in April 2011. Kate graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2008 with a degree in Exercise and Sports Science and earned her DPT from Arcadia University in Glenside, PA in 2011. While at Arcadia, Kate was part of a research team on intervention and utilization in the outpatient physical therapy setting concerning total knee replacements. The team presented its findings at the American College of Rheumatology convention, as well as APTA's combined sections meeting. Kate’s background includes dance and playing/coaching multiple sports (including basketball and lacrosse), and she has a special interest in orthopaedics and sports rehabilitation.

Katherine McVey, PT

Katherine joined our team in February 2011, bringing over 30 years experience in various areas including orthopedics, hands, wound care, clinical education and pediatrics. She has worked at Duke as the senior on the neurology service team, as well as for WakeMed, where she received a Circle of Quality award for exceptional patient care. Katherine also served as Director of Physical Therapy Services at a Virginia rehabilitation center. She is NDT-certified, and for the past 18 years her focus has been orthopedics and sports medicine, including shoulder, knee, foot and ankle, and spine rehabilitation. Katherine holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Kansas.

Shelley Palermo, MPT

Shelley has been practicing physical therapy for the past 17 years. Prior to joining Physical Therapy of North Carolina in 2007, Shelley worked in both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation facilities in Northern Virginia, Chapel Hill and Durham. Her areas of expertise and interest include working with patients with stroke and spinal cord injury, as well as the general orthopedic population. Shelley earned her Master of Physical Therapy degree from Boston University and a BS in Psychology from The College of William and Mary. Shelley currently works on a PRN basis.

David Mangum | Patient Support

David joined the PT of NC team in October of 2010, bringing over 30 years of management experience. David’s experience includes project management, global operations training and customer service management while at Nortel Networks. He is currently using his skill set of “Best Practices in Customer Service” to assist our patient needs and support the overall effectiveness of our office team. David was born and raised in the Raleigh/Durham area and has a passion for assisting friends, family and neighbors in need.

Patsy Stranger | Patient Support

Joining our practice in April of 2011, Patsy comes to Physical Therapy of North Carolina with 35 years of experience in an office setting. She is originally from Roanoke Rapids, and has lived in Durham since 1974. Patients greatly appreciate Patsy’s friendly and positive attitude.

Heather Talley | Clinical and Office Support

A Durham native, Heather originally joined the PT of NC staff in November of 2009 as part-time office support. Over time, her role has evolved to include a variety of roles that emphasize patient and physical therapist support. Heather graduated in the summer of 2010 from Durham Technical Community College with a diploma in Surgical Technology.

Helen Latshaw | Office Coordinator

Send email to Helen - With more than 25 years of experience working in and managing various types of medical facilities, including orthopedic surgery, internal medicine and physical therapy practices, Helen joined Physical Therapy of North Carolina in June 2007. She brings a wide skill set to the practice, having expertise in scheduling medical procedures, filing insurance claims, patient billing, collections procedures and office management. Born and raised in Akron, Ohio, Helen attended the University of Akron and has been a Durham resident since 1975. 

Wendy LeMay | Billing Specialist

Send email to Wendy - Wendy is responsible for patient billing and collections, as well as coding and filing all patient insurance claims. She is also the contact for any questions regarding billing and patient financial obligations. Wendy graduated from Chowan College and worked 13 years in the graphic arts field. After a fulfilling season of staying home to raise her two children, she joined the Physical Therapy of North Carolina team in September 2006.