Our Team - Walton Location
Abigail Tromblee, M.S. Ed., CCC-SLP
Abby Tromblee is a Speech-Language Pathologist with 5 years of experience, including 2 years with SECO. She earned her M.S. Ed. in Speech and Hearing Sciences from The College of Saint Rose and practices at SECO’s Walton location.
Abby’s areas of interest include early intervention, sensory feeding, aphasia, and cognition. She is certified in LSVT LOUD, CAN-EAT, Basic DIR/Floortime, MoCA,and FEES. Her treatment style focuses on quality of life and functional goals for adults, while using a play-based and hands-on approach with pediatric patients.
Before joining SECO, Abby worked at Chestnut Park Rehabilitation and Nursing Center for three years. She chose SECO because of its supportive environment and commitment to patient-centered care. Abby became a speech therapist because she wanted a career that offered the opportunity to work with a variety of ages and settings while pursuing her interest in neurological conditions.
Outside of work, Abby enjoys spending time with her family and dogs, as well as embroidery and other creative crafts.
Candace Burghardt, PT
Candace Burghardt is a Physical Therapist with 36 years of experience, including 15 years with SECO. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Stony Brook University and a Bachelor of Science degree from SUNY Downstate Medical Center. Candace practices at SECO’s Walton and Sidney locations.
Candace’s areas of interest include geriatrics and outpatient orthopedics. She takes a function-focused approach to treatment, helping patients learn how to care for themselves and maintain their health, mobility, and independence. She chose SECO because of its commitment to quality care and the time it allows therapists to provide individualized attention to each patient.
Candace was drawn to physical therapy through her passion for fitness and optimal physical functioning. Her career has included work in hospital, home health, geriatric, nursing home, and outpatient settings. She also holds Deep Water and Lifeguard certifications.
Outside of work, Candace enjoys traveling throughout the United States with her husband and autistic adult son, biking, hiking, walking, and exploring new destinations with her family. She also participates in masters swimming and recently placed first in all three of her events—the 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle, and 50 butterfly.
Cinnamin Schmitz, Office Coordinator
Cinnamin Schmitz is an Office Coordinator at SECO’s Walton location and has been part of the SECO team for four months. She chose to work for SECO because she has always loved the atmosphere and the people.
Cinnamin enjoys working with the wonderful staff and patients at the Walton office, who appreciate her sense of humor. She loves making people laugh and understands that being in pain and needing therapy can be tough.
Outside of work, Cinnamin enjoys spending time with her family and dogs. She is also a passionate crafter who loves creating beautiful things to sell at craft shows and online.
Erika Nerzak, MS, OTR/L
Erika Nerzak is an Occupational Therapist who recently began her career with SECO at the Walton location. She earned her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Keuka College.
Erika chose to work for SECO because she values being part of a smaller, close- knit therapy community where she can build strong relationships with both patients and colleagues.
She describes her treatment style as patient-centered, supportive, individualized, and fun. Erika enjoys finding creative treatment ideas and looks forward to exploring different areas of occupational therapy as she continues to grow and discover her professional interests.
Erika chose occupational therapy because she always knew she wanted to work in healthcare and make a difference in people’s lives. She was drawn to the profession’s hands-on, creative nature and the opportunity to support patients through a holistic journey.
Outside of work, Erika loves spending time outdoors. She enjoys hiking, kayaking, fishing, and camping.
Jilian Pennington, DPT
Jilian Pennington is a Doctor of Physical Therapy with 8 years of experience, including 5 years with SECO. She earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from East Tennessee State University and practices at SECO’s Walton location.
Jilian is LSVT BIG certified, with special interests in neurological and inpatient rehabilitation. Her treatment style is function-focused, with an emphasis on empowering patients to move, trust their bodies, and understand that movement can be safe even when pain is present.
Before joining SECO, Jilian worked at a VA Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center in Minnesota and with FOX Rehabilitation. She was drawn to SECO’s therapist-owned model and the opportunity to work with patients in both hospital and outpatient settings.
Jilian’s interest in physical therapy began while working as a rehab aide, when she witnessed a patient walk for the first time following a car accident. That experience inspired her to pursue a career helping people regain confidence in their bodies and return to the activities they love.
Outside of work, Jilian enjoys spending time with her family.
Joanne Sommaruga, PTA
Joanne Sommaruga is a Physical Therapist Assistant with 31 years of experience, including 4 years with SECO. She earned her Associate of Applied Science degree as a Physical Therapist Assistant from Suffolk Community College and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Russell Sage College.
Joanne’s areas of interest include fall prevention, promoting health and wellness for aging adults, and rehabilitation for dancers. She is also interested in expanding her knowledge of pelvic floor physical therapy. Joanne takes a thoughtful approach to treatment, taking the time to listen to and observe each patient before determining how she can best support their needs and goals.
Before joining SECO, Joanne gained experience in hospital, rehabilitation, occupational health, and home therapy settings. She was drawn to SECO because of the opportunity to treat both inpatient and outpatient populations and felt the organization was a good fit for her approach to patient care.
Joanne’s interest in physical therapy grew from her background in dance. While taking dance courses in college, she studied anatomy and human movement, and a professor encouraged her to explore a career in physical therapy.
Outside of work, Joanne enjoys walking outdoors, taking fitness classes, working on home improvement and decorating projects, reading, and spending time by the water—including relaxing by her backyard pool.
Justine Hoffmann, DPT
Justine Hoffman is a Doctor of Physical Therapy with 12 years of experience, including 8 years with SECO. She earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Touro University School of Health Sciences.
Before joining SECO, Justine spent four years at South Shore Neurologic Associates on Long Island and also worked per diem at Northwell and Affinity Skilled Nursing Facility. She was drawn to SECO’s unique practice model, which allows therapists to work across hospital, skilled nursing, and outpatient settings. She also values being part of a smaller company where the owners continue to practice alongside their employees.
Justine has a certificate in vestibular rehabilitation and a special interest in treating vestibular and balance disorders. She enjoys working with patients of all ages and values the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in their lives.
She describes her treatment style as friendly and educational. Justine believes that helping patients understand what is happening in their bodies can make symptoms feel less frightening and overwhelming, empowering them to work through their recovery rather than avoid the activities and movements they fear.
Justine was inspired to become a physical therapist after watching her father’s recovery from an injury during her teenage years. From the initial injury and surgery through physical therapy, she saw firsthand how meaningful it was to track his progress and help him return to his normal life.
Outside of the clinic, Justine has a lifelong passion for volleyball. After playing in college, she began coaching and has continued ever since, including coaching travel clubs and at two NCAA colleges. She is currently beginning her sixth season as an assistant coach at SUNY Delhi. Justine also serves on the board of directors for her local recreation center and enjoys staying active, spending time with family, and cheering on her growing family.
Kellsey Buerge, DPT
Kellsey Buerge is a Doctor of Physical Therapy at SECO’s Walton location and has been part of the team for five years. She earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Vermont.
Kellsey joined SECO with a desire to provide quality care in rural communities near her hometown while being part of a trusted, privately owned organization. Her areas of interest include orthopedics, postoperative joint replacements, and geriatrics. She describes her treatment style as personable, attentive, educational, and motivational.
She is especially passionate about helping people better understand and connect with their bodies, giving them the confidence to feel capable and empowered as they work through challenges and return to the things that matter to them.
Kellsey’s interest in physical therapy began in eighth grade, when her love of sports sparked an interest in helping others stay active and overcome injuries. She played soccer, basketball, and softball throughout high school before discovering weightlifting and running in college. Being part of a team has always been meaningful to her, and she enjoyed being someone her teammates could turn to when working through an injury or trying to stay healthy and active.
Outside of work, Kellsey runs a photography business and enjoys hiking, cross- country skiing, paddle boarding, working out, cycling, and spending time with friends and family.
Kimberly Martin, COTA
Kim Martin is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant with 14 years of experience, including 5 years with SECO. She earned her Associate of Applied Science degree from Grand Rapids Community College and practices at SECO’s Walton location.
Kim has experience in school-based OT, skilled nursing, nursing home, and home healthcare settings. Her areas of interest include neurological disorders, and she has certifications in hand and upper extremity manual therapy and Crisis Prevention Intervention. She is certified in STAR program (strategies for teach based on autism research), sensory processing and integration, handwriting without tears, CPI (crisis prevention and intervention), and hand and upper extremity manual therapy.
Kim takes a holistic approach to treatment and enjoys the creativity of occupational therapy, adapting activities to help patients participate more independently in the things that are meaningful to them. She chose SECO because of its close-to-home location and therapist-owned environment.
Outside of work, Kim enjoys hiking, kayaking, attending her children’s sporting events, and going to concerts.
Kristie Merwin, Office Coordinator
Kristie Merwin is an Office Coordinator at SECO’s Walton location and has been part of the SECO team for more than two years. She enjoys working in an office setting and especially appreciates the opportunity to work alongside her coworkers, who are her favorite part of the job.
Kristie helps keep the Walton office running smoothly and enjoys being part of the welcoming environment that makes SECO feel like a great place to work.
Outside of work, Kristie loves spending time with her grandson and riding side-by- sides with friends and family.
Michael Lindsay, DPT
Michael Lindsay is a Doctor of Physical Therapy at SECO’s Walton location with 5 years of experience, all with SECO. He earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Utica University and has a special interest in orthopedics and helping athletes get back to the sports and activities they love.
Michael’s own love of sports first sparked his interest in a career that would allow him to stay active while helping others. After spending time shadowing a physical therapist, he quickly realized that PT was the right fit. His treatment style combines therapeutic exercise and hands-on techniques, adapting his approach to what each individual patient needs to reach their goals.
Michael first became part of SECO during his final clinical experience as a student. He appreciated the one-on-one approach to patient care and the opportunity to return to the area where he grew up and give back to his own community.
Outside of the clinic, Michael continues to stay active and enjoys playing golf and pick-up basketball..
Michelle Obergefell, PTA
Michelle Obergefell is a Physical Therapist Assistant at SECO’s Walton location with 10 years of experience, all with SECO. She earned her Physical Therapist Assistant degree from Onondaga Community College and began her career with SECO in Sidney before making the transition to Walton.
Michelle is certified in the McKenzie Method for both the cervical and lumbar spine, an area of treatment she especially enjoys. She likes giving patients practical tools they can use beyond the clinic, focusing on exercises and techniques that don’t always require weights or equipment and can easily become part of everyday life at home.
Michelle’s own experience with physical therapy after a knee injury in high school inspired her to become a PTA. During her recovery, she saw firsthand the difference a caring and dedicated therapist can make. That experience stayed with her and ultimately inspired her to provide that same kind of support and encouragement to her own patients.
After a decade with SECO, Michelle especially values the relationships she has built with her coworkers and being part of a team that supports one another.
Outside of work, Michelle enjoys slowing down with a good book and spending time in her vegetable garden.
Natalie Steensma, PTA
Natalie Steensma is a Physical Therapist Assistant with 26 years of experience, including more than 20 years with SECO. She earned her Associate degree as a Physical Therapist Assistant from Herkimer Community College and practices at SECO’s Walton and Sidney locations.
Natalie especially enjoys working with the geriatric population. She strives to make therapy a positive and encouraging experience, first building trust with her patients and then challenging them to reach their goals. For Natalie, one of the most rewarding parts of being a PTA is seeing patients gain strength, confidence, and independence through therapy.
Before joining SECO, Natalie worked at A.O. Fox Hospital and O’Connor Hospital. She chose SECO because of the supportive and collaborative environment among its therapists and the willingness of her coworkers to help one another.
Outside of work, Natalie enjoys being outdoors, taking walks with her family and their dog, and spending time with the people she loves. She also works in real estate and helps run her family’s Airbnb.
Sarah Kellogg, DPT
Sarah Kellogg is a Doctor of Physical Therapy with 20 years of experience, all with SECO. She earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Russell Sage College and practices at SECO’s Walton location.
Sarah’s areas of interest include women’s pelvic health and Parkinson’s rehabilitation, and she is LSVT certified. She takes a patient-centered approach to treatment, looking at the whole picture to help each patient reach their goals.
Sarah chose physical therapy because of her interest in helping others through healthcare. While participating in a medical explorers program in high school, she was drawn to the way physical therapy empowers people to take an active role in their own recovery. She chose SECO after graduation because she felt especially supported as both a new therapist and as a person.
Outside of work, Sarah enjoys walking with her husband and daughter, traveling to visit family, attending her daughter’s youth sporting events, and supporting local community events.
Traci Vandermark, Office Coordinator
Traci Vandermark is an Office Coordinator at SECO’s Walton location and has been part of the SECO team for four years. She chose to work for SECO because she was familiar with the organization through its work with her brother after his stroke and knew SECO was a caring group.
Traci’s favorite part of working at the Walton office is her coworkers. She loves them all and appreciates being part of such a supportive team.
Outside of work, Traci enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her five- year-old grandson..