Laura Wilson PT, DPT
Laura was born and raised in North Carolina. She earned her bachelor's degree in Exercise Science in 2012 from UNC Wilmington where she played 4 years of D-1 varsity soccer and was part of their first team to win a CAA championship. She then went straight into her Doctorate of Physical Therapy program and graduated in 2015 from Elon University, where she was heavily involved with their pro-bono clinic. After graduation, she began working in a gym setting, working with patients of all ages and skill sets. She has been in that environment ever since. She recently moved to Wilson and married Nick Ellison, Wilson’s biggest realtor. She has fallen in love with the community of Wilson and is excited to be helping them stay healthy and active.
Laura was introduced to physical therapy at a young age after tearing her ACL in her junior year of high school, and again in her senior year of college. She understands the difficulty of facing and recovering from a serious injury, and uses this experience to motivate and encourage her patients. Her ability to empathize and relate to her patients and athletes set her apart. Her passion for injury prevention has led her to develop an ACL prevention and sport performance program to decrease the frequency of these injuries.
Laura has worked with patients of all ages, from high school athletic teams to pro athletes to senior masters events. She focuses on the whole person and works with them to meet and surpass their goals. Expect to work hard, but have fun doing it.
She is a Certified Vestibular Therapist proficient in treating dizziness, vertigo, and imbalance. In addition, she has extensive training in concussion management allowing her to treat concussion and post-concussion injuries. Her specialties include: Vestibular and Balance disorders, Concussion Management, Certified Dry Needling, Running and Gait Analysis, Lifting mechanics and injuries, ACL prevention, Sport Performance, and Return to sport.
Nick Ellison
Hello Everyone. My name is Nick Ellison. At 6 ft. 10 in. tall, I am known by all as Wilson’s BIGGEST REALTOR!
Originally from Westminster, Maryland, I left to pursue my basketball dreams which landed me in Wilson, NC. I have been living in Wilson since 2014 where I graduated from Barton College with a major in Exercise Science. Playing basketball on a competitive level my entire life has given me the mental fortitude, drive and determination to get the absolute best results for my clients. I am extremely competitive in EVERYTHING I do, not just sports.
While attending Barton University, I was President of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee. I spearheaded the efforts to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, a cause very dear to my heart. It was and still is, one of the most rewarding things that I have done in my life. I was blessed to be nominated for many national awards for charitable acts and athletic performance alike.
Cam Avery
I am Cameron Avery, born and raised in Wilson, NC. I am married and we just welcomed our first baby this year. I graduated from Fike High School. I then went on to play 2 years of collegiate football before attending Barton College where I acquired my Bachelor’s degree in Fitness Management.
While attending Barton College I had two different stints as the Strength and Conditioning Coach for Barton’s Men and Women’s Basketball Teams. My second internship in college was as a Strength and Conditioning Coach at the University of Michigan. I also obtained my USAW (United States of America Weightlifting) Level 1 certification and was able to go back up to the University of Michigan to work as an intern Strength and Conditioning Coach again. While I was interning at the University of Michigan I obtained my Master’s Degree from Liberty University in Exercise Science with an emphasis on Human Performance. I also obtained my CSCS (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist) certification from NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association). I predominantly worked with Men’s and Women’s Basketball and Men’s and Women’s Golf. Then after my time at the University of Michigan I became an Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. While at NC A&T State University my main responsibilities were coaching Baseball, Softball, Track and Field, and assisting with Football and Basketball in the weight room.
After NC A&T State University, I moved onto the High School level and became a Physical Education Teacher at Northern Nash High School. While at Northern Nash, I was the Strength and Conditioning Coach, Assistant Football Coach, and Head Women’s Soccer Coach. The past two years, I have been working at Fike High School as a Physical Education teacher. While at Fike High School I have been the Strength and Conditioning Coach, Assistant Football Coach, Head Wrestling Coach, and Head Track and Field Coach. This upcoming year I will be working at Hunt High School as a Physical Education Teacher, Strength and Conditioning Coach, Assistant Football Coach, and more TBD.
I have had a decade in the Strength and Conditioning world, and I am looking forward to growing the Strength and Conditioning field here in Wilson County among every type of athlete, coach, and age group.
Jonathan “Mana” Gould, LAT, ATC
Mana is originally from Honolulu, Hawaii. He graduated from Western Carolina University with a B.S. in Athletic Training. His athletic training career started in the secondary school setting at Fike High School. He served Fike’s athletes on the sports medicine side of things like prevention of injuries, concussion management, orthopedic evaluations, management of emergency situations, and so much more!
After moving to Nash County, Mana now serves as the Athletic Trainer for Nash County. He oversees four of the public high schools in the county working closely with their first responders, athletic directors, coaches, and student-athletes. Mana’s favorite part of athletic training is helping to be a positive influence for his community by educating the importance of building a healthy and active lifestyle through fitness, nutrition, and having a strong mindset. During Mana’s free-time, he enjoys spending time with his family, going on long trail runs, lifting heavy weights, hanging out around a campfire, shooting his bow, and cooking on his Blackstone! Mana currently resides in Bailey with his wife- Brittany, son-Asher, and dog- Drogo. He is excited to bring some good energy to the Mission PT family and help others build a better and active lifestyle in the communities around him!
Brittany Gould, LAT, ATC
Brittany is originally from Midlothian, Virginia. She graduated from Western Carolina University with a B.S. in Athletic Training and then started her athletic training career at UGA where she was the Intern Athletic Trainer for the Equestrian team. She then spent time in the high school setting where she was the Assistant Athletic Trainer at East Wake High School and then in the clinic setting where she worked with a sports medicine orthopedic surgeon.
After moving closer to the Wilson area, Brittany returned to the school setting when she took on the role as the Athletic Trainer at the Greenfield School through a partnership with Wilson Medical Center where she has been since September 2022. Brittany’s favorite part of athletic training is seeing her athletes through the entire injury and recovery process- from on the field evaluation, to rehabilitation and treatment, to return to play. When not working Brittany enjoys spending time with her family, baking sourdough bread, making homemade lattes, and doing CrossFit. Brittany resides in Bailey with her husband-Mana, son-Asher, and dog-Drogo. Brittany is excited to be a part of the Mission PT family and help more people in the Wilson community!
