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 high school athletes. Luke is a lifelong resident of Ankeny and was influenced towards healthcare by his dad (Dr. Rodney R. Carlson) who was a long-time and highly respected family physician in Ankeny. Luke went to UNI and played football and after graduating was accepted into Des Moines University for physical therapy. He graduated from PT school in 1991, worked at Mercy hospital for 3 years, and then opened Ankeny Physical and Sports Therapy.

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, and graduated 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 the sprints coach for the Ankeny Track Club. Kate also enjoys playing kickball, trivia and spending time with her family, friends, and her dog.

Drew Deiter
DPT
Drew is a lifelong resident of Ankeny. He attended 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 and went on to get his doctorate in Physical Therapy from Briar Cliff University. 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 hopes to continue her education and attend a Doctor of Physical Therapy graduate program in the near future.

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, Hilary 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.