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. But most important to her is educating her patients and clients to understand their own bodies! She has successfully treated many patients who have failed to respond to other treatments.
Her 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 weekly 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.
Stephanie Ratner, PT
Stephanie Ratner is a native of Florida and earned her Physical Therapy degree at the University of Florida. She has practiced for over 20 years primarily in outpatient orthopedic settings. She recently relocated to the Libertyville area with her husband and two children. On weekends, you will often find Stephanie on the sidelines of a soccer field watching her children play..
Stephanie enjoys all aspects of running. She has run 7 marathons including the Boston Marathon, and over 20 half marathons. She also recently volunteered to coach Girls on the Run where she helped elementary school girls complete their first 5K. Stephanie has experience in both English and Western styles of horseback riding and enjoys riding her horse, Moose, whenever she can.
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.
