Teresa Duncan, PT
Clinic Owner / Director

Teresa is a 1982 graduate of Alpena High School and a 1986 Alumnus of the University of Michigan School of Physical Therapy. Teresa began her career as a physical therapist at the University of Michigan Hospitals in Ann Arbor. In 1993, she and her husband Bruce moved back to Alpena to raise a family. In 1997 she opened Thunder Bay Therapy & Sports Medicine in a small storefront in downtown Alpena. For Teresa, the clinic allowed her to bring together two guiding principles of rehabilitation: clinically excellent, one-to-one patient care that reflected her training at the University of Michigan and the warm atmosphere of a home-town clinic. She wanted a facility that was comfortable and inviting to patients, where the best, most talented therapists would want to apply their craft. The concept became reality and now Thunder Bay Therapy & Sports Medicine occupies over 8000 square feet of space, including two aquatic therapy pools in the heart of Alpena’s medical district.

Teresa specializes in manual therapy techniques particularly in Myofascial release and Craniosacral therapy. The opportunity to educate patients, other professionals and the community is one of the most rewarding aspects of her work. She is both a hands on clinician and the clinical director.

Teresa’s husband Bruce joined the facility in 2004 as office manager in addition to his role as clinic social worker. They have two children, Cameron and Emily both of whom are active in school, church and sports. Teresa is an avid "hockey mom" and is active in her church and with extended family all of whom live in the Alpena Area.

Theresa "Teri’ Dziubinski, PT

Teri joined our staff as a part-time Physical Therapist in August of 2006. She is originally from Anchorage Alaska and moved to Alpena in July 2004 when her husband was transferred here. Teri is a 1988 graduate of Northwestern University with a degree in Physical Therapy. Teri brings with her a wealth of experience in a variety of different settings. She has worked with sports medicine, outpatient orthopedics, geriatrics, children within a school system and with chronic upper extremity pain. Teri enjoys working with a variety of patients and different diagnoses. She values hands on patient care and using her skills to improve the lives of the patients she sees.

Teri and her husband have two teenage boys and are very active in the community. They have "adopted" an Alpena Ice Digger hockey player who lives with them during the hockey season, which is most of the school year. Teri is a figure skating coach and is active in the Alpena Figure Skating Club, as well as serving on the Board of Trustees for the Jesse Besser Museum and M+PAC Board. She enjoys skating, hockey, golf and being outdoors.

Wynne Tezak, PT

Emily Szymanski, MS, PT

Emily joined the clinic staff in 2000 after completing her Masters Degree in Physical Therapy from Central Michigan University. She briefly moved downstate with her husband, but returned again in 2004. She grew up in Rochester Hills, MI and later married a local physicians assistant who is a native of Alpena. Emily has done extensive work with orthopedic patients and enjoys rehabilitation with athletes of all ages. Emily likes to motivate her patients to achieve all they can in therapy and enjoys seeing her patients do well and progress.

Emily likes playing and coaching volleyball and basketball. She is frequently outdoors hiking, camping and gardening with her favorite companions, her husband and young daughter.

Joseph Myers, PT

Joe joined our staff in November of 2001. He is a graduate of Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan where he received both his Bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences and his Master’s degree in Physical Therapy.

Joe is interested in a range of clinical techniques and enjoys seeing a diversity of patients and diagnoses. His clinical specialties include treating Vestibular and Vertigo patients. Joe enjoys doing manual therapy (Norwegian, Myofascial release, Craniosacral therapy and massage) and prefers a hands-on approach to care. He was recently certified in workplace ergonomic assessment. Joe prides himself on his attention to detail and values the individual attention we are able to give to our patients.

Joe is originally from Hanover, MI, a small village southwest of Jackson. In addition to his parents, Joe has two brothers and one little sister. Joe enjoys keeping unique pets and has several unusual collections such as his Buddha statues. When not working he enjoys traveling (wherever and whenever possible), reading, cycling, and spending time with his fiancée.

Linda Stender, OTR

Linda is an Occupational Therapist and has been with us since July 2005. She is a 1984 graduate of Western Michigan University and brings with her extensive experience in Occupational Therapy and in patient care. Linda is a Detroit native and moved to Alpena in 1988 and has called this home since. She and her husband have four children.

Linda brings with her a wealth of clinical experience and has worked extensively in the area of hand therapy. She enjoys providing one-on-one individual care to her patients and values the variety of patients and diagnoses that she is able to treat at this clinic. Making a difference in the lives of her patients is what makes her job special.

Linda likes to spend time with her family and is actively involved in her church. She has run in marathons in the past and would like to do it again. She enjoys wood working, home fix up and cooking. Most important according to Linda she "loves being a mom".

Lori Burns, PTA

Lori joined our staff in November of 2001. She is a 1999 graduate of Davenport College in Lansing. Prior to coming to Alpena she was employed at a private outpatient orthopedic practice in DeWitt, Michigan for over two years.

Lori enjoys interacting with patients and the feeling that she has helped someone. Being able to work with a variety of patients and diagnoses is what makes her job fun and fulfilling. Lori has taken Craniosacral Therapy I, shoulder, vestibular / balance and other clinical continuing education classes since joining us and enjoys using her skills to make a difference in the lives of the patients she sees.

Lori and her husband Chris enjoy their rural home, surrounded by nature. She enjoys kayaking, snowshoeing in the winter and being out doors. Their two beautiful miniature American Eskimo dogs, McGregor and Dakota also keep them busy.

LuAnne has been a part of our staff since July of 2004. She received her Associate’s degree from Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek, MI in 1999 and graduated from the Institute of Natural Therapies in 2002 as a Certified Massage Therapist. She has also achieved the level of Reiki Master.

In addition, LuAnne is also our Aquatics Specialist. LuAnne spends a portion of every week in the pool with patients using hands-on and exercise based techniques. She has attended numerous courses on general aquatic rehabilitation as well as specialized aquatic courses on Bad Ragaz and Watsu. Both the hands-on and exercise based techniques have been beneficial for many patients.

LuAnne enjoys the relaxed caring environment of the clinic and the ability to work closely with the patients she sees. Her professional goals include continued program development in aquatic rehabilitation and continued professional education.

Away from work, LuAnne enjoys traveling, biking, rollerblading, shopping and water activities.

Maria Kowalski, A.T.C.

Maria is a Certified Athletic Trainer and has been with us since December of 1998. Her patient care in the clinic is influenced by her athletic training experience as she brings a different perspective to patient rehabilitation. In addition to her duties here, she is also the Head Athletic Trainer at Alpena Community College where she is in charge of injury prevention, management, event coverage and rehabilitation. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science/Concentration in Athletic Training from Lake Superior State University, is a N.A.T.A. Certified Athletic Trainer and is a certified Cincinnati Sports Medicine – Sportsmetrics instructor.

Before joining our staff, Maria completed her internship at an orthopedic owned outpatient physical therapy clinic in Battle Creek, Michigan. Maria enjoys working with a variety of different diagnoses and frequently works in orthopedic/post-surgical rehabilitation and sports medicine.

Maria enjoys playing tennis, golf and is a tennis coach at Alpena High School. She also enjoys traveling, spending time with friends and family, and making improvements to her home.

Bruce D. Duncan, MSW
Office Manager
Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Bruce is a 1981 graduate of Alpena High School and graduated in 1987 from the University of Michigan with a Masters Degree in Social Work. Since graduation, Bruce has held a variety of counseling positions specializing in children and families. He was the program director for Hope House Girl’s Residential Treatment Center for nearly 13 years until leaving the position in 2004 when he joined Thunder Bay Therapy & Sports Medicine as their Office Manager and Social Worker. Bruce wears a "multitude of hats" doing building maintenance and taking care of two therapy pools in addition to his other roles. Bruce enjoys cooking and is active in his church. Most of his free time is spent with his wife and children, which he considers his most important role.