About Next Level
Occupational Therapy
At Next Level Occupational Therapy, we are dedicated to redefining standards in therapy practice. Our mission is to empower therapists with cutting-edge resources and personalized support to excel in their profession. Through a commitment to innovation and excellence, we strive to elevate patient care and therapist satisfaction. Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your journey to the next level of occupational therapy excellence.
About Us
About Next Level Occupational Therapy
Next Level Occupational Therapy began its journey in May 2019 after a transformative PT conference, driven by a simple yet profound mission: to ignite a spark of possibility within occupational therapy professionals. Our goal was to inspire therapists to go beyond traditional occupational therapy settings, fostering connections and encouraging both personal and professional growth. Over time, our vision has grown into a vibrant, supportive community that serves as a springboard for therapists to explore new horizons, whether it’s starting a business, creating a side venture, writing a book, or pursuing other endeavors.
Over the years, we have assisted hundreds of therapists in starting, building, and growing their practices through our flagship program. This program remains central to our mission as we continue to guide therapists from practitioners to business owners and ultimately from business owners to CEOs. Recognizing the broader need, we expanded our support to include physical and speech therapy professionals. We constantly evolve, developing new programs, events, and services based on community feedback and industry trends. We are proud of our collaboration with AOTA to champion entrepreneurship within the OT community. Join us on our journey to inspire therapy professionals to achieve new levels of success and fulfillment.
About the Founder
Kara Welke
OTD, OTR/L, CLT, Skills2Care, SHSS, CAP
Kara established Next Level Occupational Therapy to address a critical need in the Grand Forks community and surrounding areas, providing high-quality, client-centered care in natural environments. Her ultimate goal is to help as many people as possible remain in their homes as they age, maintaining optimal health and overall quality of life.
Traditional healthcare often focuses solely on the client, neglecting the caregivers. Kara believes that involving both clients and their caregivers in therapy sessions is essential for achieving the best outcomes. Additionally, Next Level Occupational Therapy aims to connect clients with the many valuable resources available in the community, emphasizing collaboration over competition.
Traditional healthcare tends to prioritize productivity and profit, using tools that are not centered on the client’s needs. In contrast, Next Level Occupational Therapy is committed to focusing on what the client truly requires. By providing therapy in natural settings, they optimize independence where it matters most.
Our Team
About Our Team Members
Learn more about the Next Level team!
Megan Dooley
Business Coach
Alicia Kollmar
Business Coach
Anthony Miano
Systems Coach
Steve Glukh
Business Coach
Alex Engar
Financial Coach
Kylee Blankespoor
Business Manager
Anthony Miano
Systems Coach
Systems and Strategy Expert and Co-founder of Virtual Marketing Mastery. Guiding therapists around the pitfalls and hazards that arise when building automated systems for their practice so they can run their business efficiently and not be a tech wizard.
Steve Glukh
Business Coach
Steve is the CEO of HelloNote. He is an energetic, responsible, organized, disciplined, and enthusiastic entrepreneur with a mission to change how healthcare professionals interact with their community. Combining his experience as an occupational therapist and a programmer, Steve has a strong sense of what is going on around him and can anticipate the needs of others. He is a believer in teamwork and in making himself as useful as possible to help ensure that everything that needs to get done is accomplished—he enjoys creating organization out of chaos.
Alicia Kollmar
Business Coach
Alicia has been an occupational therapist since 2000 and works with children. She started full time in her practice in 2015. She provides therapeutic groups and individual therapy and has several school contracts. In addition to her practice she mentors new pediatric therapists and is developing tools and products for therapists to use in their pediatric practice. When not working on those passions, she loves spending time outside, volunteering, crafting, and playing with her furry family members.
Megan Dooley
Business Coach
Dr. Megan Dooley is an occupational therapist who owns mobile outpatient clinics in North Dakota and Montana. Her team of PTs, OTs, and STs specialize in treating neurological disorders and the geriatric population. Megan spends a lot of her time collaborating with community-based organizations to further serve our aging population as well as the rural communities. When she isn’t working she is spending time with family, playing and reffing volleyball, and enjoying the outdoors.
Alex Engar
Financial Coach
Dr. Alex Engar is a husband and father to three beautiful daughters who help entrepreneurs create consistent financial abundance in their business and personal lives. He’s a physical therapist who’s never treated a patient, opting instead to treat the financial ailments of business owners as their “Profit Doc.” Now, he consults entrepreneurs on how to KEEP more of what they make while their business scales, making finances simple, approachable, and hopefully even a little but FUN.
Kylee Blankespoor
Business Manager
With a unique background in government and business communication, I have been a part of the Next Level Team for the past five years. Although my expertise does not lie in occupational or physical therapy, I focus on supporting our team behind the scenes. I find great satisfaction in watching our therapists progress and thrive. Outside of work, I enjoy spending quality time with my family, watching sports, and sneaking in a nap when I can!
Articles & Videos
Testimonials
Success Stories
Discover how our clients have transformed their practices and achieved remarkable success. From enhancing patient outcomes to expanding their business reach, these stories showcase the powerful impact of our tailored strategies and expert guidance.
Want More Help to Start or Grow Your Business?
We are your go-to resource for helping therapy professionals start and build their own businesses. Whether you are just starting out or have had your business for years and need to move it to the next level, we are here for you. At Next Level , we stand out by working with a dedicated team and collaborating with other industry experts to provide unparalleled support. Let us guide you on your journey to success and help you reach your professional goals.




