Kathy is originally from the Chicago area, where she developed an early interest in movement, health, and the human body. She ran track and cross country in high school and became fascinated by how the body works through her science classes. Her interest in physical therapy began unexpectedly: as a teenager, her dog was injured, and she learned basic “physical therapy” exercises to help with his recovery. That experience sparked her interest in combining her fascination with the human body with her desire to help others.
While in college, Kathy shadowed at a physical therapy clinic and knew she had found the right career. She graduated with honors from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy. She has spent her entire career in outpatient orthopedic settings, developing extensive experience treating musculoskeletal and spine conditions.
Early in her career, Kathy received advanced training in manual therapy, osteopathic techniques, and spine treatment. Over time, she recognized that traditional orthopedic treatment didn’t always address the full picture, especially for patients with persistent back, hip, and pelvic symptoms. This realization led her to specialize in pelvic floor physical therapy, for which she now has almost 30 years of experience.
Adding pelvic floor therapy to her practice has been a game changer. It has given Kathy a more comprehensive understanding of the connections between the spine, pelvis, hips, abdominal muscles, and pelvic floor, allowing her to look beyond the location of a patient’s symptoms. She treats a wide range of pelvic health concerns, including pelvic pain, bowel and bladder dysfunction, pelvic organ prolapse, and other pelvic floor disorders.
Kathy works with patients through many stages of life, including pregnancy and postpartum recovery, menopause, as well as pelvic floor dysfunction in men. She emphasizes that pelvic floor physical therapy is not simply about treating pain: it can address strength and coordination, bowel and bladder function, continence, sexual health, core and pelvic stability, and overall physical function.
Patient education is a cornerstone of Kathy’s approach. She believes lasting change comes from helping patients understand their bodies, identify factors contributing to their symptoms, and develop strategies and behavioral changes they can carry into everyday life. Her goal is to give patients the knowledge and tools to become active participants in their recovery and create sustainable improvements beyond their time in the clinic.
Kathy’s passion for education extends to other physical therapists as well. She has served as a teaching assistant for Herman & Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute pelvic floor courses and enjoys sharing her knowledge and experience with other clinicians.
Outside of work, Kathy enjoys spending time with family and friends, gardening, running, hiking in the mountains, exploring local restaurants, the arts and music, as well as cooking.