Physical Therapy
Physical Therapy works with patients from birth to end of life to help regain lost function as a result of injury or disability that keeps them from completing activities they need and/or want to do.
Our Physical Therapists at Clarke County Hospital are highly skilled in evaluating, designing, and implementing a treatment plan that is appropriate to each individual's needs, addressing conditions such as:
- Shoulder, neck, back and lower extremity injuries and pain
- Nerve injuries
- Tendon injuries
- Sports injuries
- Chronic pain
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Osteoporosis
- Headaches
- Post joint replacement
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Cancer
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Worker's Compensation injuries
- Pre-operative and post-operative care
- Pelvic floor dysfunction
- Post-concussion syndrome
- Arthritis
- Vertigo and vestibular rehabilitation
- Decreased mobility and strength
- Fall prevention or post fall rehabilitation
- Rehabilitation following a neurological event such as:
- Stroke
- Spinal cord injury
- Brain injury
Our Physical Therapists work with individual's needs in the following areas:
- Pediatrics
- Dry Needling
- Wheelchair evaluations
- Ergonomics assessments
- General strengthening and reconditioning following an injury
Don't let limitations hold you back. If you or a loved one are facing challenges in completing daily tasks, talk with your primary care provider about a referral to our Physical Therapist team. For more information about Physical Therapy Services at Clarke County Hospital, please call (641) 342-5340.
Meet our Physical Therapists
Eric Gross, DPT
"My goal is to provide excellent physical therapy services to the people of the Osceola community and surrounding area, delivering high quality, personalized care and making sure my patients feel truly heard as individuals with unique needs."
Eric attended the University of Iowa in Iowa City, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. After graduating, he went on to attend physical therapy school at Briar Cliff University in Sioux City, earning his Doctorate of Physical Therapy. He now has three years of experience in the field, working in both the outpatient clinic and with inpatients on the medical/surgical acute care floor at Clarke County Hospital.
Originally from Atlantic, Iowa, Eric currently lives in Des Moines. Outside of the hospital, he enjoys working out, cooking and trying new foods, camping, canoeing, hiking, and other various outdoor activities.
Brett Hoffman, DPT
"My goal is to provide my patients with a safe space to come and improve their overall health. I want to provide education and tools to help my patients become more independent in managing pain, lifestyle changes and improving quality of life."
Brett Hoffman, PT has been a Physical Therapist at Clarke County Hospital for about three years. She received her undergraduate at Baker University and attended Briar Cliff University in Sioux City for her physical therapy education. She recently earned her pelvic floor therapy certification from Herman & Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute.
Brett is from Nebraska but moved to Des Moines with her fiancé, Alec, after PT school. She enjoys boating, vacationing in Arizona, house-divided football game days and her bernedoodle, Nellie.
Storm Hoover, PT
“My goal as a physical therapist at Clarke County Hospital is to help my patients see that movement is medicine and my hope is to help them build a positive relationship with exercise.”
Storm is a recent graduate from Des Moines University and a proud Hawkeye Alumnus. He has been at Clarke County Hospital for almost a year. Storm’s interest in physical therapy was sparked by a personal experience; a back injury in high school led him to physical therapy, which not only helped him recover but also got him back to playing sports. This experience alleviated his fears of being limited by his injury and inspired him to help others in the same way.
Storm, his wife Paiton and their two miniature Dachshunds, Duke and Duchess, reside in Des Moines. In his free time, he enjoys lifting, watching football, cooking and skiing. Originally from Fulton, Illinois, a small town along the Mississippi River, Storm was drawn to Clarke County Hospital by the sense of community he felt during his visit and the positive interactions he had with patients.
Storm’s goal is to help his patients understand that movement is medicine. He aims to build a positive relationship with exercise among his patients, helping them lead healthier and more fulfilling lives.
Peggy McCaulley, DPT
“My goal is to serve the entire community by helping patients recover to their fullest, maintain the highest quality of life, and continue doing the activities they enjoy. I want every patient to understand how to progress their function and exercises so they can take an active role in their care and feel empowered in the process.”
Peggy McCaulley, DPT has been a physical therapist at Clarke County Hospital for the past 9 years. She received her undergraduate degree at Northwest Missouri State University, her Master’s of Physical Therapy Degree at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 2003 and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 2005. She has been practicing in critical care hospital settings, seeing all patient populations her entire career while also seeing patients in a home health and nursing home setting in the past when there was a need. Peggy had training in pediatrics, aquatics, stroke and manual therapy for myofascial release. Peggy received her Vestibular Specialty Certification in 2021.
Peggy grew up in Missouri, not far over the Iowa border, went to school in Missouri and Nebraska, and has been working her entire career in Iowa. She enjoys spending time with her family and doing things at home on their farm with the dogs, horses and cattle. Peggy enjoys cooking, quilting, making t-shirts and crafts, gardening, hiking, side-by-side rides, and enjoying nature.
Erik Niggemeyer, PT
"My goal is to work with my patients and to get them back to their previous level of activity. I will educate and attempt to give the patients the tools to improve their issues and quality of life.”
Erik Niggemeyer, PT has been a Physical Therapist at Clarke County Hospital for 9 years and in total 21 years. He received his undergraduate and physical therapy degree from the University of Iowa. Erik has certifications as a certified spinal manual therapist, therapeutic pain specialist, myokinesthetic specialist, and strength and conditioning specialist.
Erik is from Fort Madison, Iowa, and now lives near Afton with his wife and daughter. He enjoys coaching, spending time with friends and family, and all things Hawkeyes.
