50 Awesome Physical Therapists in Chicagoland
It should come as a shock to no one that Chicago has some of America’s — and the world’s — best medical professionals.
Part of this has to do with a world-class healthcare infrastructure: Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Rush University Medical Center were included in U.S. News & World Report’s top 10 orthopedic hospitals in the country.
Also deserving credit are some world-class research universities: The city has two at Northwestern and the University of Chicago. The University of Michigan graduates its share of great medical professionals, too, many of whom settle around Chicago.
This helps explain why Chicagoland has so many great physical therapists. We have narrowed down a list of 50 of them, though this list is by no means exhaustive. For easy browsing, too, we separated out city PTs, and those in the Greater Chicagoland area.
The City
Omer Aguilar, Accelerated Rehab (Logan Square)
Omer Aguilar earned his BS in Physical Therapy from Wayne State University and has been a practicing physical therapist for 12 years. He is Accelerated Rehab’s facility manager at the Logan Square location, and he even learned Spanish by working with local patients.
Dr. Kim AuBuchon, Lakeshore Wellness (Lincoln Park)
Dr. AuBuchon earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) from Northwestern in 2005 after having completed an undergraduate program at the University of Illinois, where she also had the chance to study in beautiful Granada, Spain.
Dr. Andrea Cornell, Andersonville Physical Therapy (Andersonville, Edgewater, Rogers Park)
Dr. Cornell was a D-I track and field athlete at the University of Dayton, where she earned her bachelor’s in physical therapy. Four years later, in 2013, she earned her DPT from there after serving in AmeriCorps.
Dr. Chandi White Edmonds, Kinetic Energy Fitness (Near Southside)
Dr. Edmonds earned her DPT from Northwestern and has been a practicing physical therapist since 2001. She also works as an assistant professor and director of clinical education at Northwestern’s Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences Department.
Alison Brown Ferguson, ARC Physical Therapy (Seven locations in Chicagoland)
Alison Brown Ferguson has an advanced degree in orthopedic manual therapy in addition to being a state-licensed physical therapist. She says one of the most rewarding aspects of her work is successfully treating someone with longstanding chronic pain.
Meredith Franczyk, Lakeshore Physical Therapy (The Loop, Lincoln Park)
Meredith Franczyk has 12 years of experience in physical therapy, having earned her master’s degree in 2002. She also volunteers a great deal of time to help runners and other athletes heal their injuries.
Dr. Sarah J. Haag, Entropy Physiotherapy & Wellness (Lincoln Park / DePaul)
Dr. Haag earned her master’s in physical therapy from Marquette University in 2002 then earned her DPT from Rosalind Franklin University in 2008. Dr. Haag is also a certified yoga instructor and a board certified specialist in women’s health.
Dr. Dee Hartmann, Dee Hartmann Physical Therapy (Near Westside)
Dr. Hartmann has practiced physical therapy for 35 years and is one of Chicago’s leading authorities in the field. Her practice is devoted to treating men and women with vulvar or testicular pain, sexual dysfunction, chronic pelvic pain, and disorders of the bowels and bladder.
Renato Hess, Kinetix (Lincoln Park)
Kinetix is the physical therapy practice of Renato Hess, located inside the Balance Health + Wellness facility. Hess earned his MS in physical therapy from the University of Central Arkansas.
Dr. Sandra Hilton, Entropy Physiotherapy & Wellness (Lincoln Park / DePaul)
Dr. Hilton has been practicing physical therapy since the late-1980s, and she recently earned her DPT from Des Moines University. Her clinical interest is chronic pain, focusing on complex pelvic pain disorders for men and women.
Dr. Jennifer Flage Hobson, Physical Therapy Renaissance (The Loop)
Dr. Hobson earned her degree in physical therapy in Amsterdam, then did internships in the Netherlands and Spain. She then earned her DPT at the University of St. Augustine in Florida. Dr. Hobson is fluent in Spanish and also teaches physical therapy in Chile.
Robert Johnson, Achieve Manual Physical Therapy (Seven locations in Chicagoland)
Bob Johnson is a Northwestern graduate who served as the Chair of the Orthopedic Specialty Council of the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties from 1999–2007.
Dr. Jason Kart, Core Physical Therapy (West Loop)
Dr. Kart earned his DPT from the MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston then interned at Harvard University’s Sports Medicine Department, working with many of the school’s athletics teams. He moved to Chicago in 2008 and opened Core Physical Therapy in late 2012.
Dr. Michele Kehrer, Lifestyle Physical Therapy and Balance Center (Lakeview)
Dr. Kehrer is a leader in neurological dizziness and balance disorders. Dr. Kehrer is also an active volunteer in a few organizations, including Bright Pink. She earned her DPT from UIC in 2004.
Dr. David M. Kelly, Ayuda (Logan Square)
Dr. Kelly is a senior physical therapist at Ayuda Rehab & Wellness. He earned his DPT from the MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston in 2009 while working as a physical therapist at the Berkshire Medical Center.
Dr. Philip Lee, Journey Physical Therapy (Roscoe Village)
Dr. Lee earned his DPT from Duke University in 2009 and opened Journey Physical Therapy to offer patients a clinic where they could get attentive, one-on-one care.
Dr. Catherine Lewan, Andersonville Physical Therapy (Andersonville, Edgewater, Rogers Park)
Dr. Lewan earned her DPT from UIC in 2010. Prior to that, she was a professional dancer, licensed personal trainer and STOTT Pilates instructor.
Cori Mack, Sports and Ortho Physical Therapy (Loop)
Cori Mack earned her master’s in physical therapy from St. Ambrose University in 2001 and has been with Sports and Ortho Physical Therapy since it opened in 2003.
Dr. Rebecca Martinez, React Physical Therapy (West Loop)
Dr. Martinez earned her DPT from UIC, and her clinical experience encompasses a wide range, including outpatient orthopaedics, pediatrics and geriatrics.
Dr. Jennifer Meeting, Lincoln Square Chiropractic and Physical Therapy (Lincoln Square)
Dr. Meeting earned her DPT from Midwestern University and co-owns Lincoln Square Chiropractic and Physical Therapy with her husband, Dr. Joe Meeting. She also works at the Illinois Bone and Joint Institute.
Karen Meier, WholeHealth Chicago (Lincoln Park)
Karen Meier earned her physical therapy degree in 1989. Since 1996, she has been treating patients with lymphedema with the Le Duc manual drainage method, and since 2004 she has been a licensed Kinesio taping professional.
Dr. Mubarak Ali Mirjat, Maximum Rehabilitation Services (Five Locations)
Dr. Mirjat graduated from the University of Karachi in Pakistan in 1983, and he began Maximum Rehabilitation Services in 1995, four years after moving to the US. He has a wide range of specialization, and he is fluent in four languages.
Dr. Joe Monaco, Athletico (Loop)
Athletico just opened its fourth facility in Chicago around Valentine’s Day at Jackson and Franklin, and Dr. Monaco is the facility manager and treating physical therapist. Dr. Monaco earned his DPT from Midwestern University.
David O’Connell, Elite Physical Therapy (Near Southside)
David O’Connell is a former rugby player who studied physical therapy in England. He has practiced PT for more than 15 years and has lectured abroad on cervicogenic headaches and the treatment of spinal disorders.
Scott Parachek, ProACTIVE (Lakeview)
Scott Parachek has been working with patients in rehabilitation, strength-building and conditioning for more than seven years. He was also a member of the University of Michigan’s 1997 championship football team (at least in the AP poll, Cornhusker fans).
Dr. Stefany Sarelas, Telos Physical Therapy (Near Westside)
Dr. Sarelas earned her DPT from Rosalind Franklin University and has practiced physical therapy for more than a decade. She is a manual therapist who has studied extensively pain and its alleviation.
Dr. Jeff Schroder, Mettler Institute (The Loop)
Dr. Schroder earned his DPT from Des Moines University in Iowa. His focus is on manual therapy, orthopedics, ACL rehab, clinical research, sports medicine and patient and staff education. Dr. Schroder also speaks fluent Spanish.
Patricia Staszak, Andersonville Physical Therapy (Andersonville, Edgewater, Rogers Park)
Pat Staszak has been practicing physical therapy for 20 years, and she opened Andersonville Physical Therapy in 1999 after having worked at UIC and University of Chicago hospitals.
Dr. Sara Stotts, Millennium Wellness Group (Loop)
Dr. Stotts is a manual therapist who earned her DPT from Northwestern in 2004. Her professional focus is progressive health and comprehensive care.
Dr. R.J. Zamar, Functional & Sports Performance, Inc. (Various Locations)
Dr. Zamar earned his DPT from Midwestern University and now practices at a few locations, including Blockhead Fitness on the Near Northside and Metrix Physical Therapy in Glenview.
Chicagoland Physical Therapists
Ed Flaherty, Imprint Movement Studios (Evanston)
Ed Flaherty has spent 25 years in therapy. As a physical therapist, he has specialized in working with orthopedic and sports related injuries, specifically the biomechanical evaluation and treatment of runners. He is also a certified massage therapist, personal trainer and Pilates instructor.
Josephine Gonzales-Chua, Center For Pelvic Wellness (Gurnee)
Josephine Gonzales-Chua has practiced physical therapy for 24 years now. For the last 14, she has focused on outpatient pelvic floor and orthopedic manual therapy.
Dr. Lance Labno, Movement Solutions (Wilmette)
Dr. Labno is a graduate of Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, where he earned his DPT. He has been practicing physical therapy for seven years, having been a massage therapist previously.
Dr. Svetlana Levina, Pro Health Medical Group (Skokie)
Dr. Levina is a physical therapy professional who has been with Pro Health Medical Group for several years. Dr. Levina is also tri-lingual, speaking English, Russian and Ukrainian.
Gail Montalto, Arlington Pediatric Therapy (Arlington Heights)
Gail Montalto is the director of the physical therapy department at APTMS, Ltd., having studied at the University of Illinois College of Medicine.
Dr. Carole A. Oser, Healing Tree Physical Therapy (Wilmette)
Dr. Oser, a graduate of Northwestern University’s physical therapy program who earned her DPT from Rosalind Franklin University Medical School, has been practicing physical therapy since 1979.
Dr. Marina Pajerski, ProMotion Health (Northfield)
Dr. Pajerski has been practicing physical therapy around the North Shore since 2001. She earned her DPT from Rosalind Franklin School of Medicine.
Dr. Gregory Paprocki, European Therapy Center (Northfield)
Dr. Paprocki first earned a master’s degree in physical therapy in Warsaw, Poland, in 1992, then in 2001 he earned his Ph.D. from Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Poland. Four years later, he earned his DPT from the Ola Grimsby Institute in San Diego.
Bob Le Beau, Body Gears (Oak Brook)
Bob Le Beau began studying physical therapy in 1999 at the Institute of Physical Art. Recently, he was named a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Dr. Ray Degil, Body Gears (Oak Brook)
Dr. Degil became interested in manual therapy early on in his studies, and he earned his DPT from New York’s D’Youville College.
Dr. Nicole Jeewek, Orthopedic Associates of Naperville (Naperville)
Dr. Jeewek just earned her DPT from Northwestern last year, and she worked as a part-time tech in the clinic’s rehabilitation department during her studies.
Dr. Taylor Millican, Olympia Chiropractic & Physical Therapy (Elmhurst)
Dr. Millican earned her DPT from Northwestern in 2007. Her primary interests professionally are athletic injury and surgery rehab for both adults and children.
Ariel Mortera, AIMS Physical Therapy (Melrose Park)
Ariel Mortera has been practicing physical therapy for 20 years, rounding his expertise in the process. He now specializes in most aspects of physical therapy, including men’s and women’s health, post-op care, stroke rehab, and pregnancy and postpartum therapy.
Dr. Purvi Pardiwala, Wellocity (Schaumburg)
Dr. Pardiwala, from Skokie, has worked all over the eastern half of the United States. Her clinical rotations included work in Chicagoland, Baltimore and Little Rock.
Dr. Jason Redeker, Suburban Orthopedics (Elgin)
Dr. Redeker earned his DPT from the University of Illinois-Chicago in 2008 and serves as site director for Suburban Orthopedics’ Elgin office. He is also a big sports fan, we’re told.
Aeba Thankaraj, Advanced Medical and Wellness (Elgin)
Aeba Thankaraj’s was educated in her native India, and has since received training in physical modalities and pain management training from Accelerated Care Plus, Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Dementia Therapy Training.
Dr. Tina Morocco-Collins, Natural Instincts (Morgan Park)
Dr. Collins founded her private practice eight years ago. She puts a special focus on orthopedic manual therapy with an emphasis on sports/dance injuries and post-op rehab.
Kevin Elo, First Advantage Physical Therapy (East Chicago)
Kevin Elo has more than 17 years of experience in physical therapy with a track record of continuing education and licensing. He is also a Preferred Provider for USA Gymnastics.
Amy Goebbert, TheraCORE Physical Therapy (Lockport)
Amy Goebbert founded TheraCORE in June 2008 to focus on one-on-one therapy. Her specializations include gait analysis, sports medicine and ACL injury prevention.
Dr. Mickey Shah, Goodlife Physical Therapy (Orland Park)
Dr. Shah is the owner and director of Goodlife Physical Therapy. As of 2012, he is also a teaching assistant at Northwestern University.
images by: https://www.flickr.com/photos/cjsmithphotography/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/usnavy/