Today, March 4th is National Employee Day! We love our employees here at Fitzgerald PT, and consider each and every one part of our Fitz family. Since you all have been able to get to know our PT’s and their credentials/experience over the past year, today we’d like to highlight a few who are doing some really cool things OUTSIDE of PT and giving back to the community!
Dr. Ilya Gluskin – MG Lifestyle Solutions
Q: What is your personal passion? How did it all start?
Promoting health and wellness through a lifestyle approach. It started in 2005 helping classmates and friends and grew to an established business – MG Lifestyle Solutions. Providing In person and online training/coaching in fitness, nutrition, recovery, and recreational specific activities. Visit mglifestylesolutions.com to learn more.
Q: How long have you been doing this?
17 years
Q: What do you enjoy about it the most?
Helping people better understand what they are capable and improve their quality of life.
Q: How do you relate this to your professional PT role?
There is a massive overlap with lifestyle choices and rehabilitation. Also, provides a safe and effective transition from PT to continued wellness.
Dr. Katie Bragdon – Bass Clarinetist
Q: What is your personal passion? How did it all start?
Outside of work, I love playing music. Over the course of my childhood, I played a lot of different instruments, including guitar, ukulele, piano, banjolele, but the most impactful day in my music career was Parent Teacher Conference night in the 3rd grade. My music teacher at the time met with my parents, and told them “we need someone tall to play the bass clarinet.” Being the tallest girl in the class, I was signed up without even knowing! The day after that, my music career as a bass clarinetist began.
Q: How long have you been doing this?
I have been playing music for as long as I can remember. I started piano lessons in the 1st grade, started playing clarinet in the 3rd grade, then transitioned to the bass clarinet shortly after. I continued on playing this very unique instrument through elementary school, middle school, high school and college. In high school, we had the opportunity to audition for competitions, where if selected, you played in a band or orchestra of kids from all around the district. I succeeded in these competitions throughout high school, and was able to make it to the state level, and play as a member of the All State Band at the Boston Symphony Orchestra!
Q: What do you enjoy about it the most?
What I love about music is the way you can take a step outside of your life and immerse yourself in the art. I found playing music as a way to relax and express myself without having to say a word. Being part of a group, whether it be a band, orchestra, or chorus, is one of the best ways to meet new people and build lifelong friendships. My favorite memories from high school were in the band room with my closest friends. Not to mention we got to go on trips across the country to perform!
Q: How do you relate this to your professional PT role?
The biggest takeaway from being a musician is learning the value of working as a team. In a band, all members need to be on the same page in order to bring any musical piece to life. There is nothing better than performing from an audience and hearing their reaction after all of the hard work you and your team put in.
The same concept goes into healthcare. In any setting, all clinicians must work as a team to provide the utmost care for their patients. I value my colleagues every day, as I wouldn’t be where I am today without their support, knowledge, and compassion.
Dr. Sarah Marchionne – Yoga Instructor
Q: What is your personal passion? How did it all start?
Movement has played a vital role throughout my life. It started with ice hockey and competitive horseback riding at an early age. In college, I did not continue with these sports, as I was living in New York City. My interest in yoga grew during this time. When I moved back to Boston, I regularly practiced at North End Yoga and I quickly became a part of the community. I completed my YTT in 2019 to deepen my practice, start teaching and integrate it into my physical therapy treatment.
Q: How long have you been doing this?
Since 2007
Q: What do you enjoy about it the most?
Can I have more than 1 favorite? Mediating following a long practice. The physical practice is very good to help settle the mind for meditation. Before Covid changes studio practice, I had several favorite teachers and I loved the energy of being in a packed room with everyone moving and breathing in sync.
Q: How do you relate this to your professional PT role?
Yoga integrates into PT quite nicely. The breath work is excellent for helping with stress and pain management. Certain yoga poses are similar to common PT therapeutic exercises (sphinx and prone on elbows). Instead of performing isolated PT exercises, sometimes I create a short yoga flow sequence that incorporates mobility work and balance for patients.
Dr. Holly Fitzgerald – Soccer Coach
Q: What is your personal passion? How did it all start?
Athletics in general but specifically soccer
Q: How long have you been doing this?
“Too long” but lets go with > 40 years
Q: What do you enjoy about it the most?
I have always been competitive and thrive on the ability to continue to play sports. Even after 2 “catastrophic” injuries of tearing both ACL. I am just happy to still be able to get on the field and play.
Q: How do you relate this to your professional PT role?
I can relate to being the “aging athlete” and the challenges it come along with. I can also appreciate that fitness, body maintence and overall wellness is so important in being able to participate in the things you are passionate about regardless of age.
Thanks all for sharing with us and for all you do for the community!
