Our Team.
Kristian Partney, PT, DPT
Co-Owner
Kristian was born and raised in Fayetteville, NC by his grandmother. He attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where he received his Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology. He went on to receive his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Elon University.
During Kristian’s career he has worked with patients ranging from 18 months to 96 years old. He worked in an aquatic therapy setting where he was able to treat patients in a gravity reduced environment. This setting was also a great way to work with children with developmental disabilities. He went on to work with the athletic population, with his next clinic, where he worked closely with the North Carolina Central University’s athletic department. He was able to treat and recover athletes as well as develop preventative treatment programs.
Kristian currently lives in Wake Forest with his wife of 8 years, daughter , and 2 dogs . Kristian’s hobbies include playing and watching sports (Go Tarheels, Panthers and Hornets!), reading and enjoying quality time with his wife.
Melanie Shumaker, PTA
Co-0wner
Melanie is originally from a small town in Michigan and graduated from Grand Valley State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Therapeutic Recreation. After graduating, Melanie worked as a Recreational Therapist at UNC Hospitals and the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, GA helping patients with brain and spinal cord injuries re-integrate into the community and return to/find alternative recreational and leisure activities. Working alongside Physical Therapist’s, Occupational Therapists, and Speech Therapists; she decided Physical Therapy was her true calling and completed the Physical Therapist Assistant program at Nash Community College in 2014. After receiving her degree, she gained experience in acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, aquatics, and sports and orthopedic outpatient settings including treatment of high school and Division I athletes. Melanie enjoys working with all patient’s and helping them progress, but has a passion for treating orthopedic injuries and athletes.
Melanie played sports throughout high school and continued her love of sports playing intramurals and co-ed recreational leagues in her adult life. Most recently Melanie found running multiple marathons and CrossFit to maintain an active lifestyle and fill her competitive void.
In addition to physical therapy, Melanie enjoys spending time with her husband and three dogs, CrossFit and the Crossfit Rolesville community, traveling, summertime, and hanging out anywhere that’s near a lake, ocean, or pool.
Kathleen Gupton, PTA
Born and raised in Bunn, North Carolina, Kathleen graduated from Nash Community College’s Physical Therapist Assistant program in 2018. Since then, she has spent her career working in outpatient as well as home health physical therapy treating a wide variety of diagnoses and patients in all age ranges. She has experience with aquatic therapy, intensive neurological therapy, working with athletes both recreational and high school/collegiate, as well as many other genres of therapy with the main focus always being the patient’s return to their best quality of life.
In 2022, Kathleen began competing in the United States Powerlifting Association which rekindled her spark for working with orthopedic and sports patients. She enjoys lifting weights, taking care of her house plants, and spending time with her husband Trevor and their two boxers Greta and Gunner.