Celebrating 36 Years
of Private Practice

Founded in 1986, Gainesville Physical Therapy has been serving the Gainesville community. 36 years ago, we opened our doors as the first outpatient private practice physical therapy clinic in Hall County. Our leadership team, Vicki, Joanne, and Jeff, have dedicated their careers and expertise to treating their patients with individualized care, and are passionate about building long-lasting relationships with each of them. 

Who We Are

Gainesville Physical Therapy is not your typical physical therapy clinic.

Here, every patient receives personalized attention during each visit with a hands-on treatment program that has been carefully tailored to their specific needs and physical condition. Recovery from injury or surgery can be a difficult and trying process. We believe that the supportive relationship we establish with our patients, combined with our expertise in the treatment of physical ailments and pain relief, is responsible for the extraordinary outcomes that we routinely see. Our facility is fully equipped to provide a comprehensive spectrum of treatment modalities for all orthopedic conditions to improve mobility, strength, balance and pain relief.

Our Mission

“It is the mission of Gainesville Physical Therapy to facilitate healing through improving motion and physical functionality. It is our goal to enable every patient the opportunity to return to an active lifestyle by providing emotional support, hands-on personalized attention, and customized care. As the leader of our industry, we strive to treat every patient with the utmost respect, care, and integrity.”

The Team

Our specialists are well trained to treat a multitude of physical ailments. Each of our therapists has received advanced post-graduate training in body mechanics; anatomy and the complex relationships between muscle and bone which support motion in every part of the body. We are trained in the most effective treatment modalities to provide you with the best possible outcome in your rehabilitation.

Vicki Sims, PT, CHT

Joanne Hamilton, PT

Jeff Skorput, PT

Hollie Mann

Practice Administrator

Kristy Basinger, PT, CHT

Darren Hilchie, PT

Nicole Burkett, PT

Lydia Gailey, PT

Cole Smith, PT

Ree Hyatt

Physical Therapy Assistant

Sarah Edwards

Physical Therapy Assistant

Beverly Jackson

Physical Therapy Assistant

The Team

Our specialists are well trained to treat a multitude of physical ailments. Each of our therapists has received advanced post-graduate training in body mechanics; anatomy and the complex relationships between muscle and bone which support motion in every part of the body. We are trained in the most effective treatment modalities to provide you with the best possible outcome in your rehabilitation.

Vicki Sims

Joanne Hamilton,

Jeff Skorput

Hollie Mann

Practice Administrator

Kristy Basinger

Darren Hilchie

Nicole Burkett

Lydia Gailey

Cole Smith

Ree Hyatt

Physical Therapist Assistant

Sarah Edwards

Physical Therapist Assistant

Beverly Jackson

Physical Therapist Assistant

Therapies

Cole Smith, PT, DPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

Specialty: Orthopedic Conditions, Post-Operative Rehabilitation, Gait and Balance

  • University of North Georgia 2022 
  • GPT Start Year: 2022

Lydia Gailey, PT, DPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

Specialty: Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation, Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction, Low Back Pain

 

  • University of North Georgia 2015
  • 7 years experience
  • GPT Start Year: 2017

Nicole Burkett, PT

Physical Therapist

Specialty: Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction and Low Back Pain, Cervical Pain, Balance Training

  • University of North Georgia 1997
  • 25 Years Experience
  • GPT Start Year: 2014

Sarah Edwards, PTA

Physical Therapist Assistant

Specialty: Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction 

Bio: Sarah has been with Gainesville Physical Therapy since 2004. She grew up in Athens, GA and graduated from Athens Technical College in 2004. She currently lives in Jefferson, GA with her two children and dogs. Sarah actively participates with cub scouts and enjoys outdoor activities like camping, hiking and swimming. Specialties include treatment of sacroiliac joint dysfunction and the restorative disc program.

Ree Hyatt, PTA

Physical Therapist Assistant

Specialty: Manual Hand Therapy 

Bio: Ree has been involved in physical therapy for over 36 years. He worked as a physical therapy specialist in the U.S. Army from 1977 to 1980. He also worked as a technician in acute care at Lanier Park Hospital from 1980-1987. Ree has been at Gainesville Physical Therapy since 1987. In 2004, he got his Associates Degree as a Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) at Athens Technical College. He specializes in hand treatment and the custom fabrication splints.

Darren Hilchie, PT

Physical Therapist

Specialty: Shoulder Rehabilitation, Therapy of the Knee, Manual Therapy

Bio: Darren has been with Gainesville Physical Therapy for 15 years. He graduated from North Georgia College and State University in 2007 as a physical therapist. Darren practiced Exercise Physiology for 5 years in the US and Canada before returning to school to become a physical therapist.

  • North Georgia College and State University 2007
  • 15 Years of Experience
  • GPT Start Year: 2007

Kristy Basinger, PT, CHT

Physical Therapist and Certified Hand Therapist

Specialty: Certified Hand Therapy, Manual Therapy, Post-Operative Spine Rehabilitation

Bio: Kristy Basinger, PT, CHT has practiced physical therapy in Gainesville since 1995. Her clinical specialties include hand therapy, orthopedic manual therapy, and her favorite modality is dry needling.

  • St. Louis University 1995
  • 27 Years Experience
  • GPT Start Year: 1995

Joanne Hamilton, PT

Co-Director & Physical Therapist

Specialty: Industrial Rehabilitation, Arthritis Education, Manual Therapy

Bio: Joanne Hamilton, PT is a Clinical Co-Director of Gainesville Physical Therapy, and has given national presentations on various topics, including Functional Capacity Evaluations, Validity Testing, Management of Injured Workers, and Work Site Assessments.

  • West Virginia University 1978
  • 44 years experience
  • GPT Start Year: 1986

Jeff Skorput, PT

Co-Director & Physical Therapist

Specialty: Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction & Low Back Pain, Total Joint Rehabilitation, Manual Therapy

Bio: Jeff Skorput, PT joined Gainesville Physical Therapy in 1987. He completed his certificate program in Orthopedic Physical Therapy in 1984. He teaches continuing education courses on the topic of Lumbar Spine and Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction Evaluation and Treatment. 

  • University of Vermont 1977
  • 45 Years of Experience
  • GPT Start Year: 1987

Vicki Sims, PT, CHT

Co-Director, Physical Therapist, & Certified Hand Therapist

Specialty: Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction & Low Back Pain, Hand Therapy, Manual Therapy

Bio: Vicki Sims, PT, CHT is a Clinical Co-Director of Gainesville Physical Therapy. Vicki has helped pioneer diagnosis and treatment for Sacroiliac Dysfunction since 1985. She is the co-author of four clinical papers on the sacroiliac joint, and author of “The Definitive Book on the Treatment of SI Joint Dysfunction.” 

  • Georgia State University 1976
  • 46 Years Experience 
  • GPT Start Year: 1986