Meet the Team

Proven Professionals

Luke Carlson

DPT

Luke received the Sport Medicine Provider award on March 11, 2011 by the Iowa High School Athletic Association in recognition of the service and care he gave to area high school athletes. Luke is a lifelong resident of Ankeny and was influenced toward healthcare by his dad (Dr. Rodney R. Carlson) who was a long-time and highly respected family physician in Ankeny. Luke received his bachelor's degree from UNI, where he also played football; after graduating he was accepted into the Des Moines University physical therapy graduate program. He graduated from PT school in 1991 and worked at Mercy Hospital for 3 years before opening his practice in Ankeny.

Kate Novak

DPT, OCS, CSCS

Kate has lived and worked in Ankeny since 2012. She is originally from DeWitt, IA. She attended Coe College, where she ran track; graduating with her bachelor's degree in 2006. She received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from The University of Iowa in 2008. In 2015, she earned her board certification in orthopedic physical therapy from the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. She joined Luke Carlson Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine in October 2016. Kate is a sprint coach for the Ankeny Track Club. Kate also enjoys playing trivia and spending time with her family, friends, and dogs.

Drew Deiter

DPT

Drew is a lifelong resident of Ankeny. He graduated from Ankeny High School, where he played football, basketball, and ran hurdles in track. He graduated from Iowa State University with a bachelor's of science degree in Kinesiology and Health in 2017 and went on to get his doctorate in Physical Therapy from Briar Cliff University in 2020. Drew enjoys staying active outside by biking, boating, hiking, fishing, and anything else sports-related.

Austin Emry

Physical Therapy Assistant

Austin received his Physical Therapist Assistant degree from Indian Hills Community College in 2015. He lives in Kellogg, Iowa, and has been working for Luke Carlson Physical Therapy since September 2017. When Austin is not in the clinic working with patients, he is working as a personal trainer and running coach. Austin enjoys running, hunting, fishing, and spending time with his friends and family.

Lindsey Kamerick

Physical Therapy Tech

Lindsey grew up in Carlisle, Iowa. She attended Grand View University in Des Moines and graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Kinesiology and Health Promotion. She began working at Luke Carlson in February of 2021. Lindsey will be continuing her education as she starts the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Des Moines University in the fall of 2022.

Zach Kodatt

Physical Therapy Tech

Zach joined our group in February 2022. He has a Masters Degree in Criminology, but made the decision to pursue physical therapy, due to many years of personal experience having PT himself. He lives in Ankeny with his wife, Hilarym, and their dog, Monte. Zach enjoys working out and spending time with his family.

Jami

Office Manager

Jami has been a Physical Therapy clinic Front Office Manager in Ankeny since 2003. She was welcomed to the Luke Carlson Physical Therapy team in July 2016. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, roller skating, going to flea markets, and spending time with her 3 fur babies. Jami is a lifelong resident of Ankeny, so you will be welcomed into the clinic by a smiling, familiar face.

Our Team: Our Team