About

When I was in my early 20s…way back when…I tore my ACL and meniscus playing soccer.  I was misdiagnosed with my first MRI, and I spent a year in physical therapy.  I never fully recovered with therapy and knew there was still something wrong with my knee.  That was my first lesson in the necessity of being proactive when it comes to your health. 

I persisted and finally got a second opinion and new MRI, which is when they discovered all the damage in my knee.  I had surgery and spent another year in therapy.  I spent 2 years at the height of my athletic prowess being unable to participate in sports.  It was a humbling experience to say the least, and it sparked my interest in taking my health into my own hands. Being an athlete means you’re constantly dealing with aches and pains.  I wanted to learn how to treat them myself.  Even better, I wanted to know how to prevent them from occurring in the first place.  It took me awhile to gain the courage to go back to school, but I finally made the leap. 

That leap was large.  I hopped over the ocean and went to graduate school at The Robert Gordon University in Scotland where I earned my MSc in Physiotherapy.  I wanted to know how a different healthcare system worked, specifically socialized healthcare.  I also wanted to see the world and gain new perspectives on life. 

After I graduated, I came home to Portland, Oregon and worked in 2 outpatient clinics associated with the largest hospital system on the west coast.  This work experience laid the groundwork for the clinician I am today.  I was able to work in a multi-disciplinary team which provided a rich resource of guidance, mentoring and collaboration.  I had access to countless continuing education courses and protocols created by the top specialists in the region.  It was an ideal place to learn and grow, but I didn’t get enough time off and the wanderlust was palpable. 

In the summer of 2019, I left the comfort of my job where I had worked for 8 years alongside my older brother and transitioned to the world of travel physical therapy.  My first job assignment was in Ridgway, CO.  I worked at a local clinic for 6 months and fell in love with Ridgway and the San Juans.  But alas, my contract ended and my next assignment lead me to eastern Oregon. I worked for approximately 3 months in a rural critical-access hospital before I was laid-off due to Covid.  And that was that.  In the blink of an eye, my new career path ended.  All traveling jobs ceased to exist and hospitals went on hiring freezes.

Granted losing my job was quite difficult at the time, I now understand it was truly a blessing.  I would have never had the courage to start my own practice if I hadn’t been forced into the situation.  Now that I’m operating, it feels like I should have been doing this all along.  For the first time in my career, I get to treat however I want.  I don’t have to jump through insurance hoops or dance around hospital policies.  I don’t have to work on an assembly line and can take breaks in between patients in order to fully consider each diagnosis and treatment approach.  I’ve gone from being burnt out to feeling inspired!  And now I have the freedom to pursue my interests in Pilates, yoga, tai-chi and reiki.

Other important things to know about me? I love being active, exploring the outdoors, dancing to live music and traveling the world.