Meet our Physical Therapist Kristi!
Where are you from? I was born and raised in Central Square, New York — a small town 20 minutes North of Syracuse.
Where did you go to school? I attended Le Moyne College in Syracuse for my bachelor’s degree, followed by Upstate Medical University for my doctorate to earn my doctorate degree! I have always loved living in Syracuse and I am a big homebody- so staying local was important to me!
What got you interested in Physical Therapy? After completing a pre-medicine route during undergrad, I went on to shadow multiple fields to figure out where I belonged in the world of health care. I shadowed a variety of PT settings and found that both the lifestyle that being a physical therapist affords you and the impact you can make in other people's lives, made it a good fit for me. I also became very interested in fitness, strength training and nutrition after college- further solidifying that physical therapy would be a great opportunity to do what I love.
What do you like to do when you are not at work?
My favorite thing to do is venture out to one of Upstate New Yorks many trails, waterfalls or parks to give my 2 Siberian Huskies the long walks they deserve. During the summer time, we spend a lot of time hosting our friends, swimming and landscaping. During the fall and winter months you can find me trying new recipes, not being able to put a good book down, starting DIY projects and then recruiting my husband to finish them, and visiting my in-laws in West Palm Beach for some much needed Vitamin D. I love spending time with my husband and our 2 Siberian huskies, Jaymo & Chevy– whether we are relaxing at our house or getting away for the weekend.
Why am I in private practice? As a new graduate from Upstate Medical University, I had the opportunity to explore a variety of physical therapy practices including private practice, state-operated outpatient practices and acute care in the hospital. While I found each experience challenging and exciting in its own way, I felt drawn towards the world of private practice for the mentorship you receive, the work-life balance it affords you and being able to evolve as a therapist in an environment that encourages growth and collaboration between all disciplines. I feel so lucky to have found Engage during my post-graduate job search this year and feel that this is the exact experience I was looking for!