Our Staff
Helping You Feel Better and Live Healthier
Dr. Michlynn Heide
Doctor of Chiropractic
Dr. Michlynn Heide, Ripple Health Clinic’s local chiropractor, grew up in Burnsville, Minnesota. She earned her Bachelors of Science degree in Human Biology along with her Doctorate of Chiropractic from Northwestern Health Sciences University in April 2009. Dr. Michlynn has extensive experience in treating a variety of spinal conditions, along with advanced training treating soft tissue injuries and headaches to improve overall health and wellness. She is passionate about working with an integrative wellness team to provide comprehensive treatment for her patients through chiropractic as well as physical therapy and more with the DMR Method. Her mission is to create a healthy community by educating and empowering as many people as possible to experience optimal, pain free health. Dr. Michlynn and her husband, Dale, love spending time with their daughters and dogs, exploring farmers markets and enjoying the great outdoors.
Dr. Benjamin Hartman
Doctor of Chiropractic
Dr. Benjamin, Ripple Health Clinic’s local chiropractor, grew up in Delano, Minnesota. He graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa, and was awarded the Clinical Excellence Award for his outstanding work. Prior to beginning his chiropractic studies, Dr. Benjamin graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in biomedical sciences with a minor in chemistry at St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Dr. Benjamin loves helping people experience optimal health through chiropractic care. With his athletic background, especially in hockey and baseball, he can help athletes of all levels with injuries and with their overall performance. Dr. Benjamin and his wife, Heather, live in St. Michael with their sons, James and Oliver. He loves the outdoors, playing sports and coaching hockey.
Dr. Laura Hjort
Doctor of Chiropractic
Dr. Laura has been a chiropractor for over 20 years. She owned a successful practice in Foley, MN for 10 years before moving to Elk River and filling in for other chiropractors for the past 9 years. She has extensive post-graduate work in rehabilitation, applied kinesiology, extremity adjusting and nutrition, via the nutrition diplomate program. Additionally, she is acupuncture certified.
When she’s not at home hanging with her husband , three kids and dog, she loves to spend time Nordic and downhill skiing, paddle boarding, gardening, doing yoga, reading, mountain biking, doing crosswords and spending time at the cabin.
Dr. Elizabeth Reinert
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Dr. Elizabeth spent her younger years in Cleveland, MN before moving to Talkeetna, AK with her family at the age of 6. She lived in Alaska, enjoying the mountains and great outdoors, until graduating from high school. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in biology with a minor in psychology at the College of Saint Benedict in St. Joseph, MN, then moved onto the University of Jamestown’s Physical Therapy program in Fargo, ND. She is passionate about helping her patient’s fulfill their health and wellness goals, and getting them back to doing the things they love. Dr. Elizabeth now lives in the Twin Cities, and loves being close to her family again. She enjoys going hiking and camping with her fiance in State and National Parks. She also loves reading, playing the piano, cooking, baking, and doing arts and crafts.
Kelley McGowan
Physical Therapist
Kelley studied and attained her degree in Physical Therapy from Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York. During her 26-year career she has practiced in New York, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Minnesota in various fields including acute care, sub-acute/transitional care, rehab, geriatrics, home health care, hippotherapy, and out-patient orthopedics. She has worked with therapy dogs, therapeutic dance, and therapeutic horseback riding. Kelley is also trained in using Kinesiology taping techniques for a variety of conditions. Her mission is helping people recover fully and achieve their highest level of pain-free function through a multidisciplinary team approach. Kelley lives in Otsego with her husband, three kids, and two dogs. In her free time, she loves learning, being active outdoors, traveling, and volunteering in various youth programs and mission trips.
Dale Heide
Office Manager
Dale is the office manager at Ripple Health Clinic. Prior to opening the clinic with his wife, Dr. Michlynn, he had over a decade of building and remodeling custom homes, traveling the country installing English conservatories and working with one of the Twin Cities’ top granite companies. Whether acting as owner or employee, his experiences reinforced his belief that doing right by people is what is most important. He strives to bring that earnestness and sense of personal responsibility to everyone on the team at Ripple Health Clinic, and giving patients peace of mind about their care.
Dale and Dr. Michlynn live in Nowthen with their 2 daughters, and 2 dogs. When Dale isn’t working on clinic business, he enjoys building custom farmhouse furniture, golfing, hunting, and spending time with his family.
Kasey Miller
Physical Therapy Assistant
Kasey was born in Texas before moving to Minnesota with her family when she was 5. Prior to PTA school, Kasey was a stay-at-home mom to her two children for 13 years. She earned her Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) at Anoka Ramsey Community College in May 2021. Kasey has a strong interest in educating and empowering her patients to be partners in their own rehab & wellness and to enhance the health & wellbeing of every patient she treats. Outside of the clinic, Kasey is passionate about seeing the world through hiking & backpacking, her golden retriever (Phil), home renovation projects, hosting friends & family for dinner parties, and has a deep love for the state of Texas!
Andrew Gremmels
Physical Therapy Assistant
Andy Gremmels, Physical Therapist Assistant, grew up in Montevideo, MN. He graduated with Honors from the Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Rasmussen University in Brooklyn Park, MN. Prior to practicing as a PTA, Andy spent 8 years working as a full-time Personal Trainer. In addition to his PTA degree, he has a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science from Southwest Minnesota State University. He greatly enjoys working with the patients at Ripple Health Clinic to help them improve range of motion, build strength and get back to a pain-free lifestyle. Andy lives in Rogers, MN with his wife, Kaitlyn, and 3 daughters: Lauren, Hannah and Madelyn. In his free time, he enjoys exercising, movie nights and being with family.
Leah Tousignant
Physical Therapy Assistant
Leah Tousignant, Physical Therapy Assistant, grew up in Rogers, MN. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Movement Science at Winona State University. She received her Physical Therapist Assistant degree at Anoka Ramsey. She enjoys outdoor activities with her family, hunting, hiking the Montana mountains and snowmobiling. Leah lives in Otsego with her husband, Frank, son and two dogs.
Heather
Hannah
Violet
Clinical Assistant
Jo Ellen
Massage Therapist
Valerie Brownlee
Massage Therapist
Valerie earned her degree from Touch of Life School of Massage. In her 19 years of practicing she has owned her own business in Hanover, MN as well as doing on-site massage for corporate businesses, and now also here at Ripple Health Clinic. Valerie specializes in deep tissue massage and also offers myofacial release, prenatal massage, relaxation massage, cupping and hot stones .
Valerie lives in Buffalo, MN with her husband Robert. She has two children, a son (24), daughter (23), and two dogs. In her free time she enjoys being active, gardening, and spending time with her friends and family.