NOVEMBER 2022

In the past few months at Smoky Mountain Sports Medicine and Physical Therapy, we have experienced a period of steady growth, and we would like to thank you all for your support! Over this time, we have added several members to our team in order to better serve you!

Joining our front office team in Cullowhee is Irma "Bebe" Murcia!

Bebe is a Georgia native that graduated from Tucker High School in Tucker, GA. She has 10 plus years' experience as a Front office specialist. She is fluent in Spanish and loves to help the underserved Latino community of Western North Carolina. She lives in Whittier, NC with her spouse Tyrone and three children Tatiyana, Devon, Jocelyn and her puppy Honey. Together they love to go tubing and enjoy spending friday nights watching a new movie together.

In her free time, she likes to cook and bake sweets for her family. She loves to spend time on her hammock while reading a good book. Even though she misses her Georgia home she is growing to love the Western NC scenery, especially during the fall.

Joining our ALF staff is Nelia Waldrum, PT! 

Nelia is a physical therapist working in the Assisted Living Facilities at Haywood Lodge and Spicewood Cottages.  She graduated from the University of Tennessee, Memphis in 1990, and has spent her career working with populations at opposite ends of the age spectrum—Birth to three pediatrics and geriatric assisted living/skilled nursing.  She has a great passion for the deeply collaborative care that occurs when patients, providers, family/caregivers, and community members work together to help patients develop and maintain rich and fulfilling lives with as much physical independence as possible.  

Nelia lives with her husband in Sylva, enjoying frequent visits from her adult children and grandson, as well as hiking, lake kayaking, taking cross-country road trips, and curling up on her porch with a book and a hot cortado. 

Joining our Bryson City staff is Anna Beth Ball, PTA!

Anna Beth graduated from Smoky Mountain High School in 2018 and Southwestern Community College in 2021.  She grew up playing sports and was fascinated with how through physical therapy her teammates were able to return to sport from pretty significant injuries better than they were prior to injury. Anna Beth works with patients of all ages, from birth to older adults, and enjoys getting to build relationships with each of her patients.  

Anna Beth grew up in Sylva but now lives in Bryson City with her husband, Justin, and their german shepherd, Lizzie.  In January they will be welcoming their first baby, Ross!  She enjoys hiking, fishing, hunting, and anything else the outdoors has to offer and she can't wait to do these things as a family of three.  

Joining our Waynesville staff is Sarah Hubbard, PTA! 

Sarah graduated Summa Cum Laude from Anne Arundel Community College in Arnold, MD in May of 2010 and in May 2008 as a Licensed Massage Therapist. She enjoys both physical therapy and massage therapy and having a deeper understanding of massage and body work to assist with addressing patients pain and problem areas.  Sarah was first introduced to physical therapy at the age of 12 when she was diagnosed with TMJ and then again in 2016 when her mother had invasive ankle surgery and was wheel chair bound for 6 months. Being primary caretaker and watching her mother go through home PT and then outpatient PT and learning to walk again inspired her to pursue physical therapy to help other people achieve their goals. With a background as an equestrian competing in the jumper ring and running marathons she has experienced many injuries and the dedication required for proper rehabilitation. 

Sarah was a military kid and grew up all over the United States and is very happy with her decision for move number 24 to call the mountains of Western Carolina her new home.  When not working, she enjoys hiking, running, riding her horse Bella and spending time with her fiancee, David and fur kids Heidi, an Akita-lab mix and Hector, a German Shepherd.

In other news, in accordance with recent CDC guidelines, masks are no longer required for patients at our clinics, but remain highly reccomended. Our staff members will continue to wear masks for your and our protection.

Thank you for your continued support!