Celebrating 40 Years Serving Our Community!

Northern Rehab is pleased to announce we are celebrating a milestone with 40th years of serving DeKalb County!

In 1978, the company known as Northern Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine Associates began as the original owner and physical therapist Tim Dunlop opened his first clinic located at the corner of Franklin and South 2nd Street in DeKalb.

As the DeKalb community and impact of the physical therapy profession in health care grew, so did Northern Rehab. In 1983, Northern Rehab expanded to a larger facility on Health Services Drive in DeKalb, then in 1995 moved to Resource Parkway in DeKalb, and in 2017, relocated to their current location on Sycamore Road in DeKalb. Through the late 1980s and early 1990s, additional therapists joined the practice, keeping Northern Rehab a local business owned and operated by physical therapists. Ken Olson, a physical therapist originally from Maple Park, joined Northern Rehab in 1996 and in 2006 became President of the organization. Olson states, “Northern Rehab has always been focused on providing high quality one-on-one physical therapy in a fun, friendly atmosphere and we strive to continue that tradition.”

A second clinic opened in Rochelle in September 2001 and is managed by Aaron Nevdal.  Realizing the needs of patients within the local surrounding communities, in 2005 a third clinic opened in Genoa managed by physical therapist and Genoa native, Melissa Payne Wagner. In 2010, a fourth clinic opened on Lincoln Highway in DeKalb, which is managed by Northern Rehab’s industrial physical therapy specialist, Rob Larkins. And in 2017, Northern Rehab expanded to the southern part of DeKalb County opening their newest clinic in Sandwich, managed by physical therapist Andrea Carter of Kaneville. The company now includes 11 physical therapists and numerous support staff.

Several years ago, a rebranding process resulted in changing the name to Northern Rehab Physical Therapy Specialists to reflect the clinical specializations the Northern Rehab physical therapists have developed including orthopedics, sports medicine, strength and conditioning, manual therapy, and industrial physical therapy.

Over the last 40 years, Northern Rehab has grown to be a leader in the physical therapy community reaching a milestone that many businesses never achieve. When asked what contributes to the long term success of Northern Rehab, Melissa Payne Wagner explains, “The communities we serve have been very generous and loyal in supporting Northern Rehab all these years, and we attempt to give back to the community to say thank you whenever we can.”

Chosen as DeKalb County’s Finest Best Physical Therapists six years in a row since 2012, Northern Rehab has a strong commitment to the community. Northern Rehab strongly believes in giving back to the community that has supported them over the past 40 years. Most of Northern Rehab’s physical therapists and staff volunteer at a variety of organizations in their spare time, and as an organization, Northern Rehab enjoys supporting numerous local non-profit institutions and businesses.

In celebration of this milestone, and in appreciation to those who have contributed to their success, Northern Rehab is hosting a 40th Anniversary Open House open to the public. It will be held at the Northern Rehab Clinic at 3266 Sycamore Road in DeKalb on Tuesday, May 1 from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm.  Refreshments will be served, complimentary chair massages, door prizes and a raffle will be included. Northern Rehab hopes you will stop in and join us in the celebration! For more information about our Open House click here >>>