Meet our Team
Rachel Miller, PT, DPT
Dr. Rachel Miller is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, certified Pilates instructor, and founder of The Pilates PT. She graduated cum laude from The Ohio State University and then earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Northwestern University in 2004. She is passionate about educating and is a professional mentor, certified Clinical Instructor, and has developed and taught anatomy courses. Educating her patients and helping clients to understand their own bodies is very important to her. She has successfully treated many patients who have failed to respond to other treatments.
Dr. Rachel's dance background and love for fitness led her to Pilates. She became certified in mat and standing Pilates through Physical Mind Institute in 2008 and has been teaching group mat classes ever since. She continued her Pilates training by earning a comprehensive certification through Balanced Body. She also enjoys spending time with her family, staying active, and promoting wellness. She teaches mat Pilates classes at Heather's Gym in Libertyville, and regularly teaches classes and workshops in the community.
After becoming a Mom, she realized the lack of postpartum education and the need for better care for new (and not so new) moms. Her continuing education has focused on manual therapy of the pelvis and spine, Diastasis Recti, and pelvic floor Physical Therapy. She enjoys looking at the body holistically and combining Pilates with Physical Therapy to achieve long lasting results.
Cathy Malloy, PT, DPT, FAAOMPT
Dr. Cathy Malloy is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and a Fellow of Orthopedic Manual Therapy. She graduated from Wheeling Jesuit University with a Masters of Science in Physical Therapy in 2004, and later earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy. After advanced training in both the clinic and classroom, she was awarded the Orthopedic Manual Therapy Fellowship (FAAOMPT) credentials in 2013. She has taken many continuing education courses as well. Her favorite is Movement System Impairment Syndromes- with focus on upper quarter (cervical and shoulder). She also has a passion for women's health and has taken courses on pregnancy and pelvic floor.
Dr. Cathy is energetic and passionate about helping others become empowered to understand the root cause of their pain or limitations. She enjoys working as a team to help her patients reach and exceed their goals. Having had multiple perinatal losses, including delivering her first daughter still, she is very compassionate to other women who have struggled with a similar journey. When not in the clinic, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two young children.
Dr. Cathy Malloy is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and a Fellow of Orthopedic Manual Therapy. She graduated from Wheeling Jesuit University with a Masters of Science in Physical Therapy in 2004, and later earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy. After advanced training in both the clinic and classroom, she was awarded the Orthopedic Manual Therapy Fellowship (FAAOMPT) credentials in 2013. She has taken many continuing education courses as well. Her favorite is Movement System Impairment Syndromes- with focus on upper quarter (cervical and shoulder). She also has a passion for women's health and has taken courses on pregnancy and pelvic floor.
Dr. Cathy is energetic and passionate about helping others become empowered to understand the root cause of their pain or limitations. She enjoys working as a team to help her patients reach and exceed their goals. Having had multiple perinatal losses, including delivering her first daughter still, she is very compassionate to other women who have struggled with a similar journey. When not in the clinic, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two young children.
Melissa Hales, PT, DPT
Dr. Melissa Hales is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, certified vinyasa and pre/postnatal yoga instructor, certified health and life coach, and fitness instructor. She graduated summa cum laude from Virginia Tech and earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from The George Washington University in 2009. She believes that health and wellness is not just physical and has enjoyed pursuing additional education in yoga, health coaching, mindfulness, nutrition and exercise to help to address her clients as a whole person and not just an individual symptom. She has a passion for low back and sacroiliac joint pain and treatment as well as a passion for empowering pregnant and postpartum women to take time for themselves as they “cannot pour from an empty cup”. Having gone through undiagnosed postpartum anxiety/depression herself, she is passionate about nurturing new moms to focus on not just their physical health, but their mental, emotional and spiritual health as well.
Dr. Melissa is a people person and an extreme extrovert with a long history competing in team sports. While she started out in sports and orthopedics, she became passionate about helping moms get back into their fitness/exercise routines after having babies after she struggled to find herself again in her new role as mom 10 years ago. When she is not in the clinic, Melissa enjoys spending time with her husband and 3 children, her family and friends, reading and teaching and taking and teaching a variety of fitness classes including TRX, cycle, and yoga.
Dr. Melissa Hales is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, certified vinyasa and pre/postnatal yoga instructor, certified health and life coach, and fitness instructor. She graduated summa cum laude from Virginia Tech and earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from The George Washington University in 2009. She believes that health and wellness is not just physical and has enjoyed pursuing additional education in yoga, health coaching, mindfulness, nutrition and exercise to help to address her clients as a whole person and not just an individual symptom. She has a passion for low back and sacroiliac joint pain and treatment as well as a passion for empowering pregnant and postpartum women to take time for themselves as they “cannot pour from an empty cup”. Having gone through undiagnosed postpartum anxiety/depression herself, she is passionate about nurturing new moms to focus on not just their physical health, but their mental, emotional and spiritual health as well.
Dr. Melissa is a people person and an extreme extrovert with a long history competing in team sports. While she started out in sports and orthopedics, she became passionate about helping moms get back into their fitness/exercise routines after having babies after she struggled to find herself again in her new role as mom 10 years ago. When she is not in the clinic, Melissa enjoys spending time with her husband and 3 children, her family and friends, reading and teaching and taking and teaching a variety of fitness classes including TRX, cycle, and yoga.
Sapna Patel, PT, MPT
Sapna has 20 years of physical therapy experience treating adults and pediatrics with orthopedic and neurological conditions. She started her journey at St. Louis University where she earned a masters degree in physical therapy and a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science Physiology in 2002. She has enhanced her professional career with her training in Pelvic Floor Dysfunction with the Herman and Wallace Rehabilitation Institute. She has treated many adult diagnoses including complex pelvic pain, spinal conditions, knee pain, and shoulder pain. She continues to follow her passion for pelvic health and believing that empowering the patient and educating them on their body as a whole is a large part of healing. Sapna also has a strong passion for becoming involved in areas of health and wellness including pregnancy and postpartum care. She continues to promote pelvic health education within her community and practice along with being involved with American Physical Therapy Association and Illinois Physical Therapy Association. During her free time she enjoys spending time with her husband and 2 boys, traveling, and keeping up with her fitness goals including yoga/pilates, walking, running, and strength training.
Michelle Gross, certified Pilates instructor
Michelle is PMA (Pilates Method Alliance) certified in Pilates, holds a Group Fitness certification from ACE, and a Group Strength Specialty Certificate from SCW Fitness Education. She is a Group Fitness Instructor with over ten years of teaching experience. Michelle came to Pilates as a way to relieve her back problems and other injuries she had sustained. Pilates enabled her to return to running, an activity she had loved but had to give up. Pilates practice also enabled her to find a new challenge in biking. Michelle draws from her years of teaching fitness to continually add to her classes. Michelle has earned Master’s Degrees in Business Administration and Asian Studies to augment her Bachelor of Arts in the History of Art. Her philosophy is: movement is the key to a happy and healthy life.
Tabitha Green, certified Pilates instructor
She was first introduced to Pilates while earning her BFA at Columbia College Chicago. The strength and resiliency she gained from her Pilates practice contributed to her successful dancing career with Breakbone DanceCo. To share her love of movement and the many benefits of Pilates, Tabitha pursued a career in teaching. She mentored under Randi Whitman at Frog Temple Pilates Studio. She completed the Master’s Program at The Pilates Center in Boulder, CO and is a certified Pre and Post-Natal Pilates Specialist TM through The Center for Women’s Fitness. Tabitha is a Level 1 Eric Franklin teacher. She is detail orientated and enjoys guiding her clients toward efficient movement patterns. She brings an element of fun while practicing challenging exercises and enjoys guiding clients toward their fitness goals. She believes the benefits of Pilates will make life more enjoyable for everyone. Her two daughters keep her on her toes and light her life up.
She was first introduced to Pilates while earning her BFA at Columbia College Chicago. The strength and resiliency she gained from her Pilates practice contributed to her successful dancing career with Breakbone DanceCo. To share her love of movement and the many benefits of Pilates, Tabitha pursued a career in teaching. She mentored under Randi Whitman at Frog Temple Pilates Studio. She completed the Master’s Program at The Pilates Center in Boulder, CO and is a certified Pre and Post-Natal Pilates Specialist TM through The Center for Women’s Fitness. Tabitha is a Level 1 Eric Franklin teacher. She is detail orientated and enjoys guiding her clients toward efficient movement patterns. She brings an element of fun while practicing challenging exercises and enjoys guiding clients toward their fitness goals. She believes the benefits of Pilates will make life more enjoyable for everyone. Her two daughters keep her on her toes and light her life up.
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Carrie Van Brunt, PhD, certified Pilates instructor
Carrie was a college professor and decided to try Pilates on a whim during a sabbatical. She found it not only a physical challenge, but a completely different kind of mental one that hooked her immediately. The best way to learn and truly understand something is to be able to teach it. So after a few years of personal practice, she began teacher training and earned her comprehensive certification from BASI Pilates in 2014. Carrie has her doctorate in Experimental Psychology, specializing in Behavioral Neuroscience from the University of Memphis and was a college professor for 15 years. Teaching is a fundamental part of her life and her experience allows her to adapt to different learning styles and motivate in different ways. Her favorite part of teaching Pilates is when students apply movement principles from the studio to their everyday lives. |
Katie Hinrichs, Director of Marketing
Katie is thrilled to join our team after experiencing, first hand, the benefits of both our Pilates and Physical Therapy program. She stays active keeping up with her son's many activities, hitting the gym, hiking, and as an avid runner. She is a graduate of Indiana University with a B.S. in Marketing/Management. In the past, she spent many years working in corporate marketing and as an ESL teacher in Europe. She also volunteers, both at the local hospital and as an ESL tutor at the library. Katie is excited to work with our current valued clients and to introduce more members of the community to our holistic approach to Physical Therapy, Pilates, and educational programs.
Katie is thrilled to join our team after experiencing, first hand, the benefits of both our Pilates and Physical Therapy program. She stays active keeping up with her son's many activities, hitting the gym, hiking, and as an avid runner. She is a graduate of Indiana University with a B.S. in Marketing/Management. In the past, she spent many years working in corporate marketing and as an ESL teacher in Europe. She also volunteers, both at the local hospital and as an ESL tutor at the library. Katie is excited to work with our current valued clients and to introduce more members of the community to our holistic approach to Physical Therapy, Pilates, and educational programs.
