One of my fondest memories as a child was summer swimming at the community pool. Growing up in Harleysville, PA (outside of Philadelphia) I was shy and hesitant to try new things. But, there was something about crazy hat and tie-dye tee shirt day, hot heats, donut day and the overall team camaraderie, that made Towamencin Swim Team exceptional. Once I was hooked, I actually learned to love the competition and discipline that came along with swimming.

The sport went on to influence my studies. In high school, I took interest in physical therapy when I assisted my neighbor with her doctoral study on swimmers’ shoulders. I could not think of a more interesting job than being able to help swimmers prevent injury or regain full physical capability. Although I do not work with swimmers every day, I am now able to translate my years of PT training and knowledge of exercise to help people return to what they love to do.

I have been working at Madden Physical Therapy since 2017 and I love being a part of the Madden Physical Therapy family. In June 2020 (in the middle of the pandemic), I married my college sweetheart, Christian. In the spring of 2021, I became the clinical director at Madden and Gilbert Physical Therapy in Hershey, PA. I am excited to help people in the Hershey community to get back to normal naturally, without injections, medications, or surgeries. In addition to being a physical therapist, I help teach the hands-on techniques that we do everyday to physical therapists around the country through Breakthrough Manual Therapy and to final year PT doctoral students through the Manual Therapy Elective at Lebanon Valley College. Though I am teaching, I am also always striving to learn. I became a Certified Manual Physical Therapist in 2020 through NAIOMT and am now training for my Fellowship of Orthopedic Manual Therapy.

When you meet me, you will realize I’m no longer the shy person I was as a small child. People often say I’m a little too peppy in the morning, but there’s no hope in changing that after 15 years of swimming at the crack of dawn!

Fun Facts:

  • I help coach the Lebanon Valley College swim team.
  • I love research and research to discover the best treatment options.
  • I have a published drawing in a physical therapy book.
  • I love to be active, whether I am just lifting weights, swimming, or hiking.
  • I enjoy painting (oil painting is my favorite) and expressing myself artistically.
  • I am just about always cold.
  • My favorite color is purple.
  • I am half Japanese and half German—my grandparents were in Arizona internment camps during WWII.
  • My husband and I have a running tally of board game wins/losses—I have mastered my winning dance.