Meet our Physical therapists
Founded in 2010, Peak Rehabilitation has grown to become a leading source of outpatient physical therapy in the Augusta, Evans and Aiken areas.
We are a privately-owned, orthopedic physical therapy clinic. At Peak, we value providing the highest-quality patient care by hiring the most talented therapists, many of which are residency-trained in orthopedics. Our positive and encouraging team of therapists strives to develop a customized treatment plan to meet your goals.
From the moment you walk in the door through your last appointment, you’ll feel a part of the Peak family.
Allison completed her undergraduate education in Sports Medicine in 2000, and her Masters of Physical Therapy in 2002 at Concordia University Wisconsin. Following graduation, she has worked in several outpatient orthopedic/sports medicine clinics throughout the country. She moved to Aiken and joined the Peak Rehabilitation team in 2011. She also has previous physical therapy experience in both acute care and pediatric settings. Allison is currently treating in both the downtown Augusta and Aiken offices. She stays busy outside of the clinic with being a wife and mom to two children, playing tennis, and traveling. She looks forward to meeting you and offering a treatment and exercise program specific to your individualized needs and goals.
AARON DOWLING, PT, DPT OCS
Aaron is a native of the Augusta area and graduated from Georgia College and State University in 2018 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science. He received his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Augusta University in 2021 and joined the Peak team shortly after. Aaron is a Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist and was Residency trained in Orthopedics through Evidence in Motion where he further developed his clinical expertise and best practice to improve patient outcomes. He has additionally been involved in publishing research on Cardiovascular endurance testing in older adult populations. Aaron desires to deliver the highest quality, compassionate, and personalized care to meet patient goals and maximize quality of life. Outside of work, Aaron enjoys traveling and exploring new cities with his wife.
Caleb graduated from The University of Georgia in 2011, where he studied athletic training. He continued his education at Augusta University (formerly the Medical College of Georgia) where he received his Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2014. He continued his commitment to improving patient care and outcomes by participating in an orthopedic residency program and became a board certified orthopedic specialist (OCS) in 2016. Caleb is our clinical education director to include mentorship and oversight of the residency program affiliated with Evidence in Motion and our CCE for physical therapy students. Caleb has experience working with a wide range of patients from post-surgical to local, NCAA D-1, and professional athletes. Caleb desires to care for and serve his patients well so they tangibly see improvements in their own quality of life.
Gary comes from Northern California and received a B.S. in Human Movement from the University of Oregon in 1989. He then attended Army/Baylor graduating with a Master of Physical Therapy in 1992. His duty assignments included Walter Reed Army Medical Center, the Pentagon and Heidelburg, Germany from 1995-1998. Gary, his wife, and family moved to Augusta in 1998 to join Orthopaedic Associates Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine. In 2010, he and Lonnie Hergott founded Peak Rehabilitation, Fitness, and Performance LLC. Gary received his Doctor in Physical Therapy from US Army/Baylor University in 2010.
Hayden graduated with a B.S. in Kinesiology in 2015 from Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, GA. He then continued his studies at Augusta University where he graduated with his Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2019. Hayden joined the Peak team and completed his orthopedic residency through Evidence in Motion to further his clinical expertise. An avid rock climber, Hayden has experience training and coaching both collegiate and youth competitive rock climbers and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS).
JACQUELINE JESCHKE, PT, DPT
Jackie graduated from the University of Nebraska with a B.S. in Nutrition, Exercise, and Health Science in 2019. She continued her education at Augusta University, earning her Doctorate of Physical Therapy and was awarded the Compassionate Care Award in 2022. Jackie joined the PEAK team because she identified with the teamwork atmosphere. Jackie has a swimming background having swum in college, competed at the Olympic Trials level, and continues to coach some of the local teams in the area. She enjoys working with athletes, the geriatric population, and everyone in between. Jackie is eager to help you achieve your Physical Therapy goals and encourage you along the way. In her free time she enjoys playing with her 2 rescue dogs, traveling, and participating in outreach events.
Karla is a native of Roswell, Georgia. She received her B.S. degree in Exercise Science from the University of South Carolina, Columbia and graduated from Medical College of Georgia with a Master of Physical Therapy in 2006. Karla joined the Orthopaedic Associates team in 2008 and transitioned to Peak in 2010. She has previous physical therapy experience working in both acute care and inpatient rehabilitation settings. Karla also has experience in coaching recreational and competitive gymnastics. She enjoys spending time with her husband and two children and traveling to the beach.
Luke grew up in Eastern Ohio and graduated with a BA in Biology from Franciscan University of Steubenville in 1996. Upon graduation, Luke attended the University of New Orleans receiving a Master’s in Human Performance and Health Promotion specializing in Exercise Physiology, 1998. Luke then became a commissioned officer in the US ARMY and attended the US ARMY/Baylor University master’s degree program in Physical Therapy graduating with the Leadership Award in 2000. Luke came to Augusta in 2000 to his first duty station at Eisenhower Army Medical Center. He deployed to Bosnia in 2002 serving as the physical therapist for Task Force Med Eagle. Luke left active-duty service in 2004 and continued practicing physical therapy locally. Luke completed his Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2008 from the US ARMY/Baylor University DPT program and has recently returned to US Army Reserve status. Luke began working with Peak founders Lonnie Hergott and Gary Gilbert in 2004. In 2012 Luke returned to Peak becoming a partner in 2020. Luke’s interest lies in outpatient orthopedic physical therapy, clinician mentorship, and patient service. He has practiced as an Orthopedic Certified Specialist (OCS) since 2004. Luke also enjoys exercise performance testing in the Peak Performance Lab and was certified as a Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) in 2008. He is blessed to be married with five children.
Marie is a native of Augusta, GA and graduated with a degree in Biology from Ave Maria University in Naples, Florida in 2010. She continued her studies in physical therapy and graduated with her Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of North Georgia in 2014. Marie has been a member of Peak Rehabilitation since 2014. She has completed a residency program through Evidence in Motion to obtain her orthopedic clinical specialist. She presented research at the American Congress for Rehabilitation Medicine in October 2013 and has obtained her dry needling certification. Marie values clinical expertise and is eager to use her knowledge to help you obtain your goals as quickly as possible. Marie has personal interests in running and swimming, and promoting living a healthy lifestyle to improve quality of life.
Molly is a native Texan and proud of it! Molly and her family relocated to the Augusta area in 2014 and have enjoyed Georgia life. Molly, a college athlete, graduated from the University of Houston in 1995 with a B.S. in Exercise Science. She then attended the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas receiving a B.S. in Health Care Sciences and a Master of Physical Therapy in 2001. Upon graduating, Molly went to work in an outpatient orthopedic private practice clinic from 2001 to 2014, eventually becoming a partner in the practice. After marrying her husband in 2014 and moving to Georgia, Molly joined the Peak team and is active in the Peak Performance Lab where she is able to put her Exercise Science degree into practice. Molly is a triathlete and her interests include fitness, nutrition, metabolic efficiency, and training. Outside of her position at Peak, she enjoys trail running, strength training, taking care of her animals, gardening, shooting sporting clays, and spending time with her family.
Vann graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2007 with a B.S. in Exercise Science and Physiology. He then attended the Medical University of South Carolina where he earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2011. He is residency trained in Orthopedics and is a Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist. Vann has an extensive background in sport biomechanics and movement quality to help enhance performance and decrease risk of injury.
Vann is a consultant for several area baseball programs and has worked with numerous college and professional athletes in baseball, soccer, golf, football, and basketball. He has a special interest in throwing injuries and ACL rehab/injury prevention.
For many of us, pain has become a part of our everyday lives.
The simplest of tasks–even sitting still–cause discomfort. We can help!