Harney District Hospital Physical and Sports Therapy offers a wide range of services for inpatient care at the hospital and outpatient care in home health and school settings. We also offer a Wellness Program, which provides the opportunity to rehabilitate in a gym-like setting under a physical therapist’s direction.
Kris Sanders co-manages the Harney District Hospital (HDH) Physical and Sports Therapy Department. Although he is originally from Boise, Idaho, Kris has been providing physical therapy services to Harney County residents since 1997.
Kris began his career providing care in multiple settings, including outpatient, inpatient, and home health. He also worked in the school district with children who have special needs. Although he provides care for a variety of diagnosis/conditions, Kris particularly enjoys working with patients who are dealing with neck and back pain. He is also passionate about geriatric care and sports medicine. As a certified athletic trainer, Kris has provided sideline-injury care during local football games. He is also a certified McKenzie therapist and ASTYM provider. The McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy is an internationally researched and acclaimed system of assessment and management for spinal and extremity musculoskeletal disorders. Augmented Soft Tissue Mobilization (ASTYM) is an advanced form of rehabilitative treatment that promotes remodeling and regeneration of dysfunctional tissue.
Kris’ main goal is to provide quality, one-on-one care and instruction to enable his patients to return to the activities that they enjoy.
Kris obtained a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University and a master’s degree from St. Ambrose University, and he hopes to gain further education and training in courses that are relevant to his patients’ needs.
He and his wife were drawn to Harney County because they loved the people and wanted to live a quieter, simpler life. They have raised five daughters, two dogs, and a few cats along the way. Throughout the years, Kris has stayed involved in the community by coaching middle school and high school girls’ basketball teams. In his spare time, Kris enjoys fishing and spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren.
Ty Volle co-manages the HDH Physical and Sports Therapy Department. Originally from Marsing, Idaho, Ty moved to Harney County when he was 8 years old. He grew up on a ranch outside of Crane, Oregon and graduated from Crane Union High School.
He went on to attend Eastern Oregon University, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in physical education and health, with an emphasis in athletic training. During his tenure at Eastern Oregon University, Ty became certified as an Athletic Trainer in 2002. Ty continued his education at the University of North Dakota, where he earned a Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2006.
Ty said he enjoys the challenge of helping people regain their life and return to previous activities that pain and injury have limited.
Ty joined HDH Physical and Sports Therapy in 2006. Although they both grew up in Eastern Oregon, Ty and his wife only planned to stay in Harney County for two years. However, they grew to love the area more and more each year and decided to stay. Ty said he is particularly attracted to Harney County’s wide-open spaces, abundance of outdoor activities, freedom to roam, and sense of community. Ty is a father of three who enjoys hunting, camping, fishing, playing sports, and gravel biking in his spare time. He competed as a decathlete in college and has coached middle school basketball, cross country, and track and field. He has been the assistant Burns High School Track and Field Coach since 2015.
Athletic Trainer Kaitlin Patterson joined HDH Physical and Sports Therapy in 2023. Kaitlin grew up and went to school in Forest Grove, Oregon. She moved to Harney County after marrying her husband, who is from the area.
After high school, Kaitlin attended George Fox University and received her bachelor’s degree in health and human performance fitness management. She then received her master’s in athletic training from Pacific University.
Kaitlin loves to serve Harney County’s student athletes, and enjoys building relationships with the community. She likes that her job allows her to be part of something bigger and continue her engagement with athletics. Kaitlin also appreciates the opportunity to bridge gaps between community members and the hospital.
When she’s not working, Kaitlin likes to spend time outdoors with her family.
Physical Therapist Assistant Anna Cronin joined HDH Physical and Sports Therapy in 2016. Anna grew up in Harney County and graduated from Burns High School in 2005.
After high school, she continued her education at Western Oregon University, earning a bachelor’s degree in exercise science. She later received an associate of applied science from Mt. Hood Community College, becoming a certified physical therapist assistant.
After college, Anna moved back to Harney County to be closer to her family and friends. She said her favorite thing about Harney County is the people who live here, and she truly enjoys seeing her patients (both former and current) around town. In her spare time, Anna can be found hunting, hiking, running, baking, and spending time with her husband and son. She said Harney County is a great place to raise a family, and she loves the small-town lifestyle.
Physical Therapist Assistant Jamie Rusow joined HDH Physical and Sports Therapy in 2022. Jamie grew up in Bieber, California, but her family hails from Harney County.
Jamie attended the University of Oregon and received a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She first worked in healthcare as a Certified Nursing Assistant, and planned on applying to a nursing program. However, after being hired as a rehab aide, Jamie decided therapy was a better fit. She then attended Lane Community College and received her Physical Therapist Assistant associate degree.
Jamie and her family moved to Harney County because they wanted to live in a small town with good family values, and they enjoy the outdoor opportunities. Jamie appreciates getting to know people in the community and serving patients in a more personal way. She also enjoys the variety in her treatment caseloads and working with a department that is team oriented and supportive. Jamie’s favorite part of her work is getting to help people regain their independence and maintain a better quality of life for as long as possible.
In her free time, Jamie enjoys coaching, trail running, fishing, hunting, rockhounding, and camping.
