Our Team

Dawn Christian

Therapist – PT, DPT, CHT

Dawn is a Certified Hand Therapist. She underwent an intensive program with additional education to be able to provide specialized treatment of the shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand. She enjoys continuing education classes to keep her up to date on best evidence practice. For more on Certified Hand Therapy please see the link on the website.

Dawn is a graduate of the University of Montana with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Her undergraduate degree is in Occupational Safety and Health, and she is certified through the American College of Sports Medicine as an exercise specialist. She has worked in the Missoula area for over 20 years providing care for university athletes, recreational athletes, post-surgical patients, patients with overuse and traumatic injuries. She was driven to open Big Sky Physical Therapy in 2009 to be able to continue the standard of care each patient deserves and provide individualized care. She strives to maintain the small clinic atmosphere of Big Sky Physical Therapy where every patient is treated by a licensed doctoral level physical therapist.

Dawn serves as an Adjunct Faculty in the University of Montana Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency Program. She also teaches Evaluation and Treatment of the Wrist and Hand to the University of Montana doctoral students, in their second year.

When not in the clinic, Dawn enjoys hiking, biking, skiing and the outdoors with her husband and family.

• Certified Hand Therapist
• Doctorate of Physical Therapy
• Exercise Specialist; ACSM certified
• Functional Movement Screening Certified
• Certified Astym Provider
• Dry Needling/Intramuscular Certified 

Learn About Certified Hand Therapists ❯

Lauren Sokoloski

Therapist – DPT

Lauren graduated from the University of Montana as a University Scholar with a Bachelors of Arts in Human Biological Sciences. She was part of the U of M soccer team for three years. Lauren attended the University of Montana school of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, where she earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) and was awarded the Nora Staael Evert Scholarship Award for outstanding leadership qualities. During clinical affiliations she studied under some of the professions leading physical therapists, including an American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy (AAOMPT) Fellow, in a variety of settings including orthopedics, sports medicine, aquatic therapy, neuro rehabilitation and oncology. Lauren specializes in the evaluation and treatment of TMJ/TMD related issues. She is passionate about physical therapy's ability to restore, promote and maintain patients optimal function, wellness and quality of life. In her free time Lauren enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking, running, soccer, rafting, and any activities outdoors where she can take advantage of the beauty of Montana.

• Bachelor of Arts in Human biological sciences; 2012
• Doctorate of Physical Therapy; 2015
• ​Craniofacial Certification (TMJ Treatment); 2015
• ​Certified ASTYM Provider; 2016
• ​Dry Needling/Intramuscular Stimulation Certified; 2016

Learn About TMD/TMJ ❯

Codi Cole

Therapist – DPT

Codi was born and raised in Pendleton, Oregon. She attended The University of Montana in Missoula and earned a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and a minor in Dance. Following undergraduate education, Codi attended West Coast University in Los Angeles, CA, and earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy. She gained extensive experience working in the Flathead Valley treating various orthopedic and neurological injuries and is excited to return and provide clinical expertise to Missoulians.

Codi is a Dance & Performing Arts specialist. She works closely with the Missoula dance community and performs in-house assessments and consults at local studios. She is also a member of the International Association for Dance Medicine and Science. When she is not in the clinic, you may find Codi spending time with her husband exploring the local trails, ski runs, and rivers.

Codi is motivated by educating and guiding patients to better understand their bodies and how they can return to what they love to do!”

• Master Dry Needling Level 1
• Dance Medicine Specialist
• Doctorate of Physical Therapy
• Certified TMD/TMJ Physical Therapist

Saylor Martin

Therapist – DPT, PT

Saylor grew up in Redmond, Washington. She attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison and earned a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology – Exercise Movement Science. While there, she competed with the Wisconsin Women’s Rowing team as a coxswain. Saylor earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at the University of New England in Portland, Maine. In addition to earning her degree, she was inducted into the ACAPT National Student Honor Society for excellence in academic, leadership, and service. Through her clinical training, she gained valuable experience treating a wide range of orthopedic and neurologic injuries in various settings around the country.

Saylor has special interests in treating low back pain, balance impairments, neck and jaw pain, and overuse injuries. She is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and is passionate about returning patients to their recreational, sports, and work activities at their highest level of function. She has additional certifications in temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Outside of the clinic, Saylor enjoys skiing, hiking, bike touring, camping, and checking out local trails and rivers.

She is passionate about motivating and connecting with patients through education and guided exercise so that they may move and live optimally.

Megan Fisher

Therapist – DPT, CSCS, ATC

With over 15 years in the fields of rehabilitation and sports medicine, and 10 years of racing at the highest level of endurance sports as a member of Team USA, I am eager to use my professional and personal experience to help you overcome physical and emotional barriers as you reach your goals.

I am passionate about movement and believe movement is medicine. I am eager to help others discover that we as humans are all capable of more than we know. My life’s work has been to help others unlock the potential in their bodies and develop resilience so that the stresses of time and age are less diminishing.

I became a Certified Athletic Trainer in 2006, specializing in Sports Medicine, and earned my Bachelor’s of Science in Health and Human Performance from the University of Montana in the same year. Motivated to learn more and broaden my education, I returned to graduate school to earn my Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Washington’s School of Medicine in 2014. I went on earned credentials as both a USA Cycling Level 3 Coach and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) in 2020.

Sports can be an avenue for personal growth, exploration, a way to develop a healthier lifestyle, and join an active community. Additionally, sports can be a path toward gaining strength, endurance, flexibility, and reliance that can enable someone to withstand the rigors of life’s daily activities and the constant stresses of gravity.

As a lifelong athlete, a collegiate tennis career ending injury redirected the course of my life and helped me discover my truest passions.

In 2002, I was involved in a tragic rollover car accident the stole the life of my best friend and resulted in the amputation of my left leg. Also, due to the accident, I sustained a significant brain injury and underwent brain surgery, spending a week in a coma on a ventilator. I would not be here today, if it weren’t for the help, support and expertise of so many. There was a time when someone tried with compassion to tell me that “I would never be as good as I was.” Another person with less tact told me bluntly that I would “never walk again.”

I feel lucky that my innately optimistic and gritty personality enables me to see beyond statements like those. I gathered a team of people around me early after my injuries that included medical professionals; physical therapists, athletic trainers, prosthetists, and doctors. As my physical abilities advanced my support team evolved into include strength and conditioning coaches, cycling coaches, and nutritionists. My prosthetists will forever and always be permanent members of my team as I can not stand, walk, run, nor bike without a comfortable fitting prosthesis.

Ava Samuelson

Front Office Coordinator

Ava is born and raised in Boulder Colorado and played division I soccer at the University of Montana for 4 years. She was First team all-Big Sky Conference her Junior and Senior year of college, and she majored in Integrative physiology in hopes of becoming a DPT in the near future. Ava loves to snowboard and run in her free time with her friends and family. An ultimate dog lover and big spirit Ava is our PT aide supporting all the providers and office for whatever they need. She plans on pursuing a career in physical therapy and hopes to specialize in pelvic floor or pediatrics!