In August of 2004, Lance Norman, MOT, OTR/L, CHT, and Mary Lynn Berntson, OTR/L, CHT, founded the Axis Upper Extremity Clinic, P.C. In June of 2006, the practice expanded to offer Hand, Physical and Occupational Therapies. At that time, they also changed the company name and charter to Axis Clinic, P.C. Today, the clinic, located in the Aurora Medical Park, continues to thrive and serve those in Grand Forks and surrounding communities.

Mary Lynn Berntson, OTR/L, CHT, graduated from the University of North Dakota in 1981 with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy. She received Certification in Hand Therapy in 1991, and has remained certified through practice and continuing education. Mary Lynn has assisted in the development of four Hand Therapy programs in North Dakota. She has served on the State Board of Occupational Therapy Practice and the North Dakota Occupational Therapy Association Board. Her involvement and commitment to the field also garnered her the North Dakota Occupational Therapist of the Year Award in 1991.

Lance Norman, MOT, OTR/L, CHT, graduated with a Bachelor's in 1990 and a Master's in 2006 in Occupational Therapy from the University of North Dakota. He received his national certification in Hand Therapy in 2000 and currently serves as adjunct faculty at the University of North Dakota and instructs in upper extremity rehabilitation as well as physical agent modalities. He has also worked in physical medicine and rehabilitation treating neuro-rehabilitation and spinal cord injury. In addition he has worked in the school system with pediatrics and skilled nursing facilities in geriatrics.

Laurie graduated with a BA in Physical Therapy from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth in 1988. She obtained her Master's in Physical Therapy from the University of North Dakota in 1993. Laurie has had vast work experiences in her 18 years of practice. She has worked in acute care and rehab settings at Abbott Northwestern Hospital and Sister Kenny Institute in Minneapolis as well as at the Rehab Hospital in Grand Forks. She was able to work on implementing a three week chronic pain management program in Minot, ND assisting the program in obtaining a three year rehabilitation accreditation. She also developed an outpatient neurological program and vestibular program in Bozeman, MT.
Laurie completed her certification in Postural Restoration through the Postural Restoration Institute in Lincoln, NE in December 2007. She is one of 23 certified therapists in the country and the only certified therapist in the state of North Dakota. Postural Restoration is a specialized area in physical therapy that focuses on movement and breathing patterns that affect spinal alignment. Abnormal alignment can affect pain in all areas of the body. This intervention is extremely beneficial especially with chronic and long standing pain issues.

Bonnie Knutson, OTR/L, graduated from the University of North Dakota in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy. She is trained and certified to provide Functional Capacity Evaluations, Functional Job Analyses, Pre-Work Screens, Work Rehab and other related services. With a primary focus on injury rehab, Bonnie travels nationally to train and certify therapists in work injury management programs for the WorkWell System as a faculty trainer. She serves on the Board of Directors for NOSHA (National Occupational Safety and Health Association).

Kathy Rustebakke MPT, MDT, graduated from the University of North Dakota with a Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy in 1987, and with a Master's degree in 1993. She has worked in acute care, rehab and outpatient settings. Her primary area of expertise is in rehabilitation of spine disorders and pain and occupational medicine. She has completed the McKenzie series of Mechanical Diagnosis and Treatment of the spine and extremities and received credentialing in 2004. She is also trained to provide Functional Capacity Evaluations, Pre-Work Screens, and Work Rehab.