Hometown: Little Rock, Arkansas
Briefly describe your role:
A: I’m a physical therapist who sees patients part-time during the week, focusing on both orthopedic and pelvic health care. The rest of my time is spent on the operations side of our company, where I work behind the scenes to make sure everything runs smoothly.
I spend a lot of time reviewing our systems and updating processes to improve efficiency across the board. I also work closely with our directors, team leads, and managers to get their input on how things are going in their departments. That collaboration helps us stay aligned and ensures that any changes we make are clearly communicated and well understood across the team.
Q: Is what you’re doing now what you always pictured you would do?
A: I’ve known I wanted to be a physical therapist since I was a sophomore in high school, and not long after that, the idea of owning my own clinic started to take shape. Back then, I didn’t really know what that would look like, but I’ve loved learning more about the business side since stepping into ownership.
Lately, I’ve been focusing more on operations, and I’ve found that I really enjoy the problem-solving and teamwork that comes with it. Working with my team to improve workflows and make things run more smoothly has been super rewarding. It’s cool to see how small changes can make a big impact—not just for the business, but for the people we serve..
Q: What do you see as the greatest challenges for women in your chosen industry? What are the greatest opportunities?
A: One of the biggest challenges I see for women in this industry is the difficulty of balancing clinical practice with starting and raising a family. Most clinics can’t offer more than six weeks off for maternity leave, and even when longer leave is allowed, paid time off beyond that is often not financially feasible. With insurance reimbursement cuts putting pressure on private outpatient clinics, it’s tough for companies to support extended paid leave without taking a hit.
On the flip side, one of the greatest opportunities in physical therapy is the variety of settings where you can practice. From outpatient clinics to telehealth and emerging tech-based models, there’s a lot of room to be creative and innovative in how and where care is delivered. Plus, with growing advocacy around the profession, more leadership roles are opening up—giving physical therapists a stronger voice and a chance to shape the future of the field.
Q: Who has inspired you in your life/career?
A: I’ve played sports my whole life, and a lot of my coaches growing up had a big impact on me—not just in how I played, but in how I learned to lead and work with others. They taught me the value of showing up every day, giving my best, and pushing myself—not just for me, but for the team. That mindset of working hard for the people around me really stuck, and it is what I try to bring to the table every day. One of the biggest lessons I learned from them is that life isn’t always fair. Things won’t always go your way, and setbacks are part of the journey. But what really matters is how you respond. That’s what shapes who you are and how far you’ll go. It’s a lesson I carry with me in everything I do.
I had two shoulder surgeries back in high school, and that’s really what introduced me to the world of physical therapy. I was lucky to be treated by two amazing physical therapists who helped me push through a tough time. They didn’t just focus on the physical side—they showed real compassion for what I was going through, both mentally and emotionally.
That mix of support and challenge is something that’s stuck with me and shaped how I practice today. Most people don’t come to physical therapy because they want to—they come because they have to. So, finding that balance between being empathetic and helping them push through the hard stuff is something I learned from my own therapists, and it’s something I try to bring into every session.
Q: What advice would you give to an aspiring professional?
A: Gain as much exposure in the field before grad school as possible. Each clinic and area of physical therapy is different in its own way. Learn from the things you find you don't like, but explore other avenues to see what you do like. Be a sponge in school and on your rotations. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there while you're observing or on rotation because that is how you'll learn and grow. If you have leadership or ownership aspirations, say yes to joining different meetings in the clinic or with your company and go out on networking opportunities to meet people in your community.
Q: What's been the secret to success?
A: My secret to success so far has been saying yes to opportunities—even the ones that felt intimidating at the time. Whether it was sitting in on leadership meetings as a new grad, stepping outside my comfort zone to ask questions, or being okay with the chance of failing, each moment helped me grow.
But the biggest factor in my success has been the people around me. I’m incredibly lucky to have an amazing team and a supportive husband who not only believe in me, but also share the same vision for what private outpatient physical therapy can be. We’re all committed to treating and serving our patients with purpose and compassion.
Above all, I’ve learned to trust in the Lord’s plan for me—knowing that every step, challenge, and opportunity is part of something greater than myself.
I couldn’t have come this far without them—and I wouldn’t be able to keep doing what I’m doing without their support.