What do you do?

I am one of the LSVT BIG Training and Certifcation physical therapy faculty, and I also serve as the Chief Clinical Officer of LSVT BIG for LSVT Global, Inc. I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to meet and train thousands of physical and occupational therapy professionals and students from around the world in LSVT BIG since 2011 through our live, online and virtual live courses.

Besides teaching, I oversee the LSVT BIG curriculum in multiple languages, create and deliver webinars, manage our LSVT BIG faculty in the US and Germany, coordinate university and corporate trainings, help with marketing and product development, and provide customer service related to LSVT BIG.  I helped to develop the BIG for LIFE Training Course, and I absolutely love leading our weekly BIG for LIFE virtual live exercises classes for people who have completed LSVT BIG treatment. The participants have become like family, and it’s rewarding to see how they are still moving big, often years after they first received treatment. They inspire me and motivate me every single time we exercise together.

How long have you been with LSVT Global?

I was certified in LSVT BIG in 2009, and because our facility had the only Movement Disorders Specialist for hundreds of miles in every direction, I immediately began providing LSVT BIG treatment to a large number of people with PD and other conditions.  I was the first therapist in my rural state of North Dakota to become certified in LSVT BIG, and I had a close relationship with our neurologists, so I gained deep experience in relatively short amount of time.  In 2011, I joined LSVT BIG Global as an course instructor and soon after that began working for LSVT Global part time as a clinical expert. In 2014, I transitioned to a full time role with LSVT Global, serving as the Chief Clinical Officer of LSVT BIG since then.

What is your favorite part of your job?

That’s so hard!  I love teaching and empowering therapists to have lasting success with their clients through LSVT BIG, but I also love the creative process of developing and improving course curriculum, webinars, products and more!  In addition, we truly have the best CEO you could ever wish for, amazing faculty, and an outstanding office team that constantly works hard behind the scenes. It’s energizing to be a part of a team who gels so well, who continuously sharpens each other and is dedicated to the mission of our company.

Tell us a little about yourself:

When I was 13 years old, my grandfather, who had Parkinson’s disease, suffered a severe stroke.  Observing his rehabilitation sparked my passion for learning how to restore function in adults with neurological conditions.  I am proud to have graduated from the University of North Dakota as a PT 25 years ago, and after that, I launched my career, finally able to do what I had dreamed of doing for so long.  My favorite clinical setting was outpatient neuro, where I was part of a tight interdisciplinary team with neurology, rehab medicine and our therapy deparments.  I have especially loved getting to know and serving clients with Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, stroke and other movement disorders.

While I have spent the majority of my life in eastern North Dakota, my husband, three young children and I moved to central Kentucky eight years ago, knowing no one.  We absolutely love the people, the mild winters and the natural beauty of this great state.

I have been married to my super supportive husband for 23 years, and we have three children, ages 16, 14 and 9.  Like any parent, they bring me so much joy, and I love seeing the people they are becoming. It is a busy life keeping up with all of their activities, but I wouldn’t miss it for the world!  We enjoy spending time together as a family road tripping, kayaking, and being with friends and family. We also have three rescue dogs and two rescue cats. Never a dull (or fur free) moment at our house!

Favorite quote, food, or pastime:

“Always walk through life as if you have something new to learn and you will.”
— Vernon Howard