Q. What inspired you to pursue a career in physical therapy?
I took an indirect path towards a career in PT, initially pursuing a BFA in Dance. This led me to explore injury prevention and biomechanics, sparking my interest in medicine and human movement. I switched my major to a BS in Biology, unsure of the specific medical path I wanted to pursue further. In my second year, I interned as a rehab aide at a PT clinic specializing in dancers, which was my first exposure to physical therapy and perfectly combined my passions and thus sparked the beginning of my career in PT.
Q. Can you share the moment you knew you wanted to be a physical therapist?
While working at the dance clinic and finishing my degree, I struggled with health issues related to my endometriosis. The pain and irregularity often caused me to miss school and work. I saw a Pelvic Health PT who was the first provider to consider me as a whole person. With chronic illness, you often focus on just a few symptoms to avoid being dismissed. But this PT listened to everything and truly understood how my condition impacted my life. I felt validated, empowered, and less alone, which inspired me to help others on their pelvic health journey.
Q. What was the most challenging part of your journey to becoming a PT?
The most challenging part for me was finding balance— between pushing myself to learn as much as I could (spending long hours studying or preparing for an exam/clinical) and ensuring that I maintained my own well-being in order to provide the best care for my patients. Over time, I realized that being a good student sometimes meant putting the books down and recharging with friends and family. Luckily, I had a great support system that helped me through it.
Q. Did you have any mentors or experiences that shaped your career path?
During my second year of PT school, I planned to have my second surgery for endometriosis. The surgery went well initially, but 15 days later, I had a complication—a severe abdominal bleed that led to significant blood loss and left me unconscious for over 20 minutes. This resulted in an anoxic brain injury, and despite emergency surgery, I struggled with memory, speech, and attention. Over the following months, I had to navigate the healthcare system, advocate for tests, attend countless appointments, and undergo speech and cognitive therapy, all while managing my symptoms and finishing my schooling. This experience gave me a deep appreciation for what patients go through and reinforced my commitment to easing the burden for my patients as they navigate their own medical challenges. This experience motivated me to get more involved in grassroots initiatives aimed at expanding access to care and advocating for patients.
Q. What advice would you give to someone considering a career in physical therapy?
I would encourage anyone to shadow at different facilities and specialties to gain a well-rounded view of the profession. Set up meetings with seasoned therapists, new grads, and students to understand the field at all stages. Be open to new opportunities—sometimes, one experience can completely change your path, even if you had your mind set on something else. There are so many aspects and niches to the field of physical therapy to be explored and considered.
Q. How did you first hear about Fitzgerald Physical Therapy?
I actually first heard about Fitz from my mom! While I was in grad school she got me a massage gift card for a birthday. At the time, one of the therapists at Fitzgerald was also working as a masseuse and had a conversation with them about Fitzgerald PT during my massage.
Q. What sets Fitzgerald PT apart from other places you’ve worked or trained?
What sets Fitzgerald PT apart is its focus on patients. The care model ensures one-on-one time with the therapist, and patients typically work with the same primary therapist throughout treatment. This continuity allows for consistent progress toward goals for the patients and a partnership between PT and patient that builds greater trust and rapport.
Q. What’s your favorite part of working at Fitzgerald PT?
My favorite part of working at Fitzgerald is the camaraderie between patients and therapists. There’s great collaboration among the team, and we’ve seen patients support each other in their rehab journeys. Many patients schedule at the same time and see familiar faces, creating a strong sense of community in the clinic and makes for a fun lively environment to work in every day.
Q. Can you share a memorable patient success story that had an impact on you?
Being able to work with women that are pregnant and helping guide them through this next chapter in their life is incredibly rewarding. I have had the privilege of meeting women early in their pregnancy, working through that phase of rehab, meeting their partners and doing birth prep sessions, and then seeing them through post-partum. They bring the babies into the clinic and we all get so excited to see the kids grow and develop week after week as their mom’s work hard to get stronger. Being a part of this incredibly personal and life-changing moment in people’s lives reminds me how important it is to sit down with someone, hear their story, and answer all their questions.
Q. How does the team at Fitzgerald PT help foster growth and collaboration?
The team at Fitzgerald PT has a diverse range of experience and specialties that allows for consistent learning opportunity from everyone around us. Therapists frequently collaborate, offering second opinions and different perspectives on treatment plans to ensure the best outcomes for patients. Regular discussions, rounds, and staff meetings help us expand our knowledge and build a strong community with other healthcare providers.
Q. How has being a PT changed you personally or professionally?
Being a PT, we build strong relationships with our patients since we often see them a few times a week over a period of time. Getting to know their lives, families, and interests has shown me how much their personal circumstances impact their progress. It’s taught me to listen more actively, ask the right questions, and improve my communication skills—both in and outside of work.
Q. What keeps you motivated and passionate about physical therapy?
What keeps me motivated and passionate about physical therapy is the endless pool of knowledge out there waiting to be discovered. I chose this career because there are so many specialties and treatment styles to explore. If I ever feel stuck or need a change of pace, there’s always an opportunity to learn something new and keep growing every day.
Q. How do you stay up to date with the latest practices and innovations in physical therapy?
I stay up to date by networking with the Herman and Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute, a national organization focused on pelvic health. This gives me the chance to host and participate in weekend training courses, where I get hands-on experience and learn directly from experts in the field. I also enjoy in mentoring other pelvic health therapists, as it provides a valuable opportunity to revisit foundational concepts, expand on them, and engage in collaborative discussions that refine our skills.
Q. What do you like to do outside of work to recharge and stay balanced?
Outside of work, I’m a total introvert at heart. I love spending time at home with my dog Emerson, going to the gym or cooking with my fiancé. I also enjoy going to coffee shops with friends and family to recharge and stay balanced.
Q. What does the future of physical therapy look like, in your opinion?
With the progression of PT to a doctoral degree, this allows PT’s the opportunity to better screen and ensure the safety of patients. Often during evaluations, we are the first ones to identify “red flags” or areas of concern that warrant a referral back to a PCP for further evaluation. If we can continue to build steam with the current initiative to increase direct access and integrate PT into more areas of the health care system, we can expect a healthier population, cost saving services, and faster time from injury to recovery.
