Alicia Anderson, M.M.S., PA-C

Alicia is a 2001 graduate of The University of Iowa where she received her Bachelor of Science in Biology and a minor in Spanish. During her tenure, she was a decorated collegiate water polo player as well as a manager for the football team. In 2004, she graduated with high honors from Midwestern University earning a Master’s of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies. Alicia completed a Master’s Practicum emphasizing in Orthopaedic Trauma and Spine Surgery.

Alicia is the first Board-Certified Physician Assistant to join Crystal Lake Orthopaedics.

Current roles include outpatient and inpatient care, surgical assisting, performing injections, prescribing medications, interpreting radiographic images, and various other responsibilities. Additionally, she is the co-founder and primary practitioner for the Osteoporosis Clinic at Crystal Lake Orthopaedics. As a member of the National Osteoporosis Foundation, she is concerned about bone health in our community. Each week she educates, evaluates, and treats patients with osteoporosis, in order to prevent osteoporosis-related fractures and their many complications.

Alicia is an overall sports enthusiast. He interests include running, swimming, playing volleyball and soccer, and cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes.

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Kevin Barnes M.A., ATC/L, CSCS

Kevin completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire. While at UWEC he majored in Athletic Training and worked as an Athletic Training Student with Football, Men’s & Women’s Hockey, and Softball teams. He then went on to earn a Master’s degree in Athletic Training and Sports Management from Western Michigan University. He provided Athletic Training coverage for a local high school during his two year stay at WMU.

Kevin is currently the Head Athletic Trainer for Marian Central Catholic High School.

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Becky Cheski, A.T.C./L, EMT-I

Becky received her degrees from Southern Illinois University - Carbondale where she double majored in Athletic Training and Exercise Science. While attending Southern Illinois University - Carbondale she also acquired her emergency medical technicial-intermediate license. Becky joined the Crystal Lake Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine Staff in October of 2002. She now is head trainer at Crystal Lake Central High School.

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Cindy Holtz, RHIT

Cindy is the Practice Manager for Crystal Lake Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine. Cindy obtained her certification as a Registered Health Information Technician in 1997 through the American Health Information Management Association. Cindy has had 30 years of experience in the health care field working 26 of those years for Centegra Health System in various roles of the Health Information and Record Services Department including Manager. Cindy currently lives in Richmond with her husband Rich and currently is in her 12th year as Vice-President of District 156 Board of Education. She has 2 children and enjoys spending her time with her family biking, playing volleyball, and swimming.

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Jeremy Houtakker, MMS, PA-C, ATC, Physician Assistant

Jeremy is a 2007 graduate of Midwestern University’s College Of Health Sciences who brings to Crystal Lake Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine a broad knowledge of medical practice. His clinical training has included emergency medicine, family practice, general surgery, internal medicine, women’s health, behavioral medicine, geriatrics, and pediatrics, as well as an emphasis in orthopedic surgery and sports medicine. Jeremy was originally employed by CLOS in 2003 as a Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC). During that time, he assisted with patient care within the clinic and provided sports medicine coverage to the athletes of Marian Central Catholic High School. He has also worked with collegiate and professional athletes, including the 2003 Chicago Rush Arena Football team. His areas of research and interest have included ACL grafting and injury prevention, biomechanics of baseball pitchers, and minimally-invasive total hip arthroplasty.

Jeremy currently lives in the Crystal Lake area and loves spending time with his daughter, Adyson. He is an avid sports fan and enjoys mountain biking, concert-going, and being outdoors.

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Bruce Taira R.N., A.T.C./L.

Bruce is a Registered Nurse and Certified Atheletic Trainer who coordinates the Sports Medicine Program, and is the surgical/clinical nurse for the physicians at Crystal Lake Orthopaedics. Bruce received his degree in nursing from Northern Illinois University where he also performed his internship in sports medicine with Northern Illinois University Division I football and soccer teams. Bruce’s experience as a U.S. Army Medic and trauma nurse compliments his sports medicine background. Bruce was a Host Athletic Trainer for the Pan American Games in 1987, and has provided sports medicine support for many sporting events over the past 23 years including the Prairie State Games, Chicago Marathon, and the Midlands Wrestling Tournament.

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Mary Anderson M.S., ATC

Mary receieved her Bachelor's Degree in Athletic Training from the University of Illinois in 2003. After graduating she worked with the Chicago Rush Arena Football team during their 2004 season. She then held a position as an Assistant Athletic Trainer at the University of Maryland for two years, covering Football, Track & Field, and Competitive Cheer.

Mary then attended Florida State University and attained her master's degree in Sports Administration. While at Florida State, she was the head athletic trainer for the women's volleyball program.

She is originally from Cary and graduated from Cary-Grove High School.

Mary works in our office as a Physician Extender.

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Tricia Schank M.S., ATC

Tricia received her bachelor's degree in Kinesiology/Athletic Training in 1999 from Indiana University. While a student athletic trainer there, she worked with the IU football and baseball teams. In 2002, Tricia received her master's of science in sports health care from Arizona School of Health Sciences in Mesa, AZ. While at Arizona, she was co-head athletic trainer for a local high school. From 2002-2004 Tricia worked as an Assistant Athletic Trainer for Stetson University in DeLand, FL working with Women's Soccer, Women's Basketball and Tennis. When returning to Illinois in 2004-2005, she worked as an outreach Athletic Trainer for a high school and club volleyball teams. She has also worked as as Assistant Athletic Trainer at Northern Illinois University from 2005-2008. Currently, Tricia is the head athletic trainer at Prairie Ridge High School.

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Giacchino Lech B.S., ATC

Gino Received his bachelor's degree in Kinesiology/Recreation in 2007 from Illinois State University.While a student athletic trainer there, he worked with the ISU track and field, football and baseball teams along with University High School and Illinois Wesleyan football. Gino is the head athletic trainer at Crsytal Lake Central High School.

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