Improving gross motor skills.
Physical therapists (PTs) evaluate if a person is functioning at an age-appropriate level in physical skills such as mobility, coordination, and strength and establish functional goals that are important to the person/family. Interventions are provided by physical therapists and physical therapy assistants (PTAs) to improve gross motor skills and subsequent progress toward goals.
Our therapists embrace a transdisciplinary approach and communicate with other members of a treatment team to support the whole individual and best outcomes. Families are always welcome and encouraged to attend therapy sessions, are provided a home program to assist with skill acquisition across environments, and are provided quarterly reports from the therapist to keep them informed of progress.
Physical Therapy Team
Role:
As a Mentor Therapist, in addition to my caseload, I help manage my discipline’s team. I assist the Director of Therapy Services with onboarding new therapists, overseeing assistants, maintaining documentation and session quality, leading discipline-specific meetings, and advocating for my team.
Education:
- Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), A.T. Still University, Mesa, AZ, August 2013
- B. A. in Health Promotion and Exercise Science, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, May 2009
Specific Treatment Strategies, Equipment, or Expertise Utilized:
- Telehealth and in-person
- Aquatic Therapy (when pool is open for use)
- Neurodevelopmental treatment strategies
- Lite Gait harness system for weightbearing and gait training
- Easystand sit to stand system for weightbearing and standing
- Bal-a-vis-x treatment for visual tracking, hand-eye coordination, and brain/body integration
- Exergaming systems (Xbox Kinect and Wii)
- Yoga for special needs
- Orthotic management (recommendations, wearing time, and education)
Career History:
I started at Lauren’s Institute for Education in August 2013 as a physical therapist. I have been at L.I.F.E. for 6 years as a full-time treating physical therapist. I took on the role of supervising a physical therapy assistant in June 2018. For the past 4 years, I have served as a clinical instructor and mentored physical therapy students completing a clinical rotation at L.I.F.E. I also have experience in several different settings, which include outpatient orthopedics, school-based, acute care hospital, and home health.
Personal:
I grew up in Iowa and graduated from the University of Iowa. I am a huge fan of the Hawkeyes and their football team. I moved to Arizona in 2010 for graduate school, and I decided to make this state my home after graduation. In my free time, I enjoy playing soccer, running long distances, reading books, watching football and soccer, and spending time with my family, friends, and two dogs (both boxers).
Role:
Here at L.I.F.E. I have the opportunity to guide the therapy team. My focus is to make sure that the therapists can provide the very best services to their consumers. That includes working closely with therapists for training and instruction. It also goes beyond that to collaboration with other individuals on our campus such as back office/administrative staff, Academy staff, and Behavioral Support staff. It also extends to collaboration with representatives from the Department of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), and parents.
Education:
- Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), A.T. Still University, Mesa, AZ, 2013
- B.S. Elementary Education, Northern Arizona University, 2008
Continuing Education and Certifications:
- Myofascial Release clinical application workshops, John F. Barnes PT
- Pediatric Myofascial Release 2/7/15 to 2/8/15
- Myofascial Release I 3/12/15 to 3/15/15
- Myofascial Release II 3/17/16 to 3/20/16
- Water-Based Interventions for the Pediatric Therapist, Kiki Dickson MPT, PAqI 5/13/16 to 5/14/16
- Out-of-Sync Child: Sensory Challenges and Sensible Solutions, Carol Kranowitz 6/16/17
- Social Thinking Across the Home and School Day: The ILAUGH Model, Ryan Hendrix, MS, CCC-SLP 6/1/17 to 6/2/17
- Prevent and Support trained through DDD, Chris Garcia 5/29/18
Specific Treatment Strategies, Equipment, or Expertise Utilized:
- Myofascial Release for range of motion, deep pressure (sensory)
- Use of LiteGait system for gait training
- Aquatic Therapy
Career History:
I currently serve as the Director of Therapy Services here at L.I.F.E. I started my career in Physical Therapy here at L.I.F.E. in August of 2013 as a treating therapist. I provided skilled physical therapy interventions for a diverse group of individuals. I have experience working in the hospital setting, outpatient orthopedics, and school settings prior to coming to L.I.F.E.
Personal Treatment Philosophy:
I believe in treating the whole child. The entire team has valuable ideas that I can implement into my treatment to target as many areas of function as possible. I also believe that therapy should be fun. Work yes, but also fun.
Personal:
I am one of the few Arizona natives. I grew up a few hours down the road in the Gila Valley. I grew up participating in sports including basketball, football and track in Jr High and High School. I am married to Chelsey Curtis, also from the Gila Valley. We moved here for me to attend PT school and have been here ever since. We have 8 kids. Yes, 8! Tucker (13), Hayden (12), Camilla (10), Carmen (8), Cora (5), Reed (3), Matthew (2) and Jeffrey (7months). The kids keep us busy with sports, choir performances, band concerts, strings performances and drama productions. In my free time I enjoy carpentry work and home remodel projects.
Education:
- Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, May 2005-Class President and recipient of Who’s Who Among American Colleges and Universities Recognition award in May 2005
- B.A. in Psychology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, May 2002
Special Certifications:
- Credentialed clinical instructor for PT and PTA students completing their school clinical affiliations at L.I.F.E.
- Certification received for Pilates Matwork Fundamental Instruction, SCW Fitness, Fall 2003
Specific Treatment Strategies, Equipment, or Expertise Utilized:
- Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT) especially for clients with cerebral palsy
- Gait training with Lite Gait device and RT 300 Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) Cycling Systems
- Aquatic therapy (when L.I.F.E. pool is open for use)
- Chronologically Controlled Developmental Therapy
- Yoga and Pilates for the Special Needs Child
- Kinesiotaping
- Orthotics management including SMOs, AFOs, and Bioness
Career History:
I joined the L.I.F.E. family in August 2008 and transitioned into the lead physical therapist role from March 2013-2016. In addition to L.I.F.E., I worked part-time at Phoenix Children’s Hospital (PCH) Outpatient Rehabilitation from 2012-2017 where I have expanded my knowledge working with children diagnosed with cancer, orthopedic injuries, and infants following their stay at PCH’s neonatal intensive care unit. My work experience also includes geriatrics, adult orthopedics, and emergency room physical therapy at Gilbert Hospital.
As much as I love working with my consumers, I also have a passion for educating students and parents in the community on topics related to the physical therapy profession. I have guest lectured at the PT program at Northern Arizona University and the PTA programs at Carrington College and Gateway College regarding the topic of “Ethics in Physical Therapy Practice.” I currently guest lecture annually to the staff at Life Christian Preschool and Childcare (Chandler, AZ), as well as tri-annually to the moms receiving services at the Pregnancy Care Center of Chandler regarding the topic of “Typical Gross Motor Development from Infancy to Age 6” since 2017.
In addition, I am part of L.I.F.E.’s orientation team and train new employees bi-monthly on “Developmental Disabilities” and “Ergonomic Safety with Transfers.”
Personal Treatment Philosophy:
I always aim to put the “FUN” in “FUNCTIONAL” in all my treatment sessions.
Personal:
I grew up in Skokie, Illinois and moved to Chandler, Arizona in June 2005 after marrying Mike Groenwald, an aerospace engineer at Northrop Grumman. We have 4 kids: Nathan, Matthew, Samantha, and Angela, who keep me very busy outside of work. In my free time I enjoy cheering on my kids at their sporting events, scrapbooking, or watching any TV show related to The Bachelor/The Bachelorette franchise. I also have been a member of the Basileia Christian Dance Company, based in Chandler, since 2011.
Education:
- Masters of Physical Therapy (MPT), Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff AZ May 1993
- B. A. General Studies Spanish/Health Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff AZ, May 1991
Special Certifications:
- CPI Certified
- Previously certified in New Mexico and Colorado
- River Rampage Mentor – Phoenix Parks and Recreation
Specific Treatment Strategies, Equipment, or Expertise Utilized:
- Neurodevelopmental Treatment Strategies
- Tele-therapy experience
- Easystand sit to stand system for weight-bearing and standing
- Pediatric Motor Learning Principles
Career History:
I started at Lauren’s Institute for Education in March 2021 as a physical therapist. I previously worked in the Mesa Public Schools as a physical therapist for 23 years. I have served as a clinical instructor and mentored physical therapy students within the public school setting. I have experiences working in other physical therapy settings – acute care ICU, outpatient settings -orthopedic, work injury, and in the home care settings.
Personal Treatment Philosophy:
I believe in creating an engaged working relationship with my clients adapting their program based on their needs, encouraging and supporting their participation and involving them in therapy activities and decisions.
Personal:
I’m from Minnesota originally. I did attend school at North Dakota State University as a mechanic engineering major before moving to Flagstaff, AZ. I used to perform with the Jester’Z Improvisational Comedy Troupe for 10 years in Scottsdale, AZ. I enjoy hiking, exploring Arizona, traveling, and participating in yoga and other fitness classes.
Education:
- Associate of Occupational Science- Physical Therapis Assistant, Pima Medical Institute, 07/22
Career History:
Personal:
I am an Arizona native who originally grew up in Southern AZ in a small town called Sierra Vista. I moved to the valley in August of 2017 for better opportunities. I love all sports, but football and soccer are my passion. Go Saints!! I enjoy being outdoors doing things such as hiking and fishing. I also enjoy coaching my son’s soccer and flag football team
Education:
- AAS-PTA, Butler County Community College, 05/14
Specific Treatment Strategies, Equipment, or Expertise Utilized:
- Aquatic Therapy
- Lite Gait System
- Bike Riding
- Sport Skills (including throwing/catching, kicking a ball, running/jumping, basketball and soccer skills)
- Wheelchair and stander management
- Equipment recommendations and management
- Orthotic recommendations and management
Career History:
- I began working at LIFE in June of 2018. Previously, I have worked in several other pediatric facilities, including an outpatient clinic in the greater Phoenix area and a center for children with Autism in central Indiana. I also have previous experience in a clinic specializing in injuries of the spine, Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF), as well as with amputee clients in the VA hospital system of Western Pennsylvania. I have had the opportunity to work with clients with balance deficits, as well as clients with Autism extensively in my previous employments. At LIFE, I love working with children of all abilities and diagnoses, to help them reach their full potential!
- I recently received recognition from my profession’s organization, the APTA, for advanced proficiency in the area of Pediatrics. I have put in countless hours dedicated to my field of pediatric physical therapy, both hands-on in treatment sessions, as well as through extensive continuing education courses.
- I enjoy hosting PTA students who are intrigued by pediatric physical therapy. I love sharing my knowledge and practice with others who are excited and interested in the field, and love to help students find their own space within the field of physical therapy!
Personal:
I grew up in the Midwest, and lived in several different places in Indiana, as well as Pennsylvania, before moving to Arizona in 2017. I knew from the start of my schooling and career that I wanted to work with children and have loved seeing my clients make progress throughout my years in the field! I love exploring National Parks and have even been to 23 different ones so far! My husband and I love taking our three girls on all sorts of outdoor adventures, whether it be camping, hiking, fishing, or a road trip; we are always looking for our next destination!
Contact Us for More Information About L.I.F.E.
call us at 480-621-8361 EXT 136 or complete this form