Mark Temme, PT
OrthoSouth
Medical Honoree  

Mark Temme, PT, is Director of Rehabilitation at OrthoSouth. Born and raised in Adelaide, Australia, he is a 1994 graduate of the University of South Australia, and moved to the U.S. that year. He commenced working at OrthoSouth in 1998. He is Board Certified as an Orthopedic Physical Therapy Specialist and an Instructor at the UTHSC Physical Therapy Program.

During his 27-year career he has developed a passion for managing patients with arthritic conditions. He is interested in promoting physical therapy as a safe alternative to managing pain, a leading concern for those facing arthritic conditions.

Mark enjoys spending time with his wife and three teenage children.

To join or support Mark and his team, OrthoSouth, please visit his team fundraising page.

Ashly Ray Fournier
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Adult Honoree  

In December 2019, Ashly woke up with a swollen ankle. By the end of the month, both ankles were swollen, and she could barely walk. Her hands and wrists were also being impacted, and she knew there was something wrong.

In February 2020, barely 41, Ashly was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and is being treated with medication.

Ashly said she is honored to be the 2021 Honoree because it's easy to think of arthritis as an “older” person's disease, but since she doesn't fit that mold, she hopes to bring more awareness to the community at large.

To support Ashly, please visit her team page today!

Wesley Smith
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
Child Honoree  

Wesley Smith, son of Aaron and Becca Smith, was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis at the age of 3. It started with a limp and soon he could barely walk. Despite the obstacles JRA presented him, Wes and his family decided that arthritis would not define him. Wes has endured physical therapy, daily pills, weekly injections, and two procedures under anesthesia, but is now a happy, healthy, and active 7-year-old boy who is approaching one year in unmedicated remission! Wesley enjoys swimming, baseball, karate, and lives his life by the motto he and his family adopted shortly after his diagnosis: “Not today, arthritis!”

To support Wesley, please visit his team page today!