Lurie Children’s has one of the largest, well-trained and experienced physical therapy teams in a freestanding children’s hospital in the Midwest. Our physical therapists evaluate and treat premature babies, full-term infants, young children, pre-teens and teens having health issues associated with motor development and movement dysfunction due to disease or injury. Motor and movement dysfunctions are frequently identified at birth or in early childhood, but can appear at any point in the continuum to young adulthood.

The goals of our physical therapy treatments are to maximize your child’s:

  • Developmentally-appropriate body movements and functions
  • Potential for pain-free living
  • Ability to participate in daily activities like school, sports and other recreational activities

Approach

Our physical therapists believe in idea sharing between therapists, among members of our multi-specialty teams and with parents and families. As a parent, you can count on this collaborative approach no matter who you see for physical therapy. We deliver the best outcomes for your child because we invest in a highly educated and trained workforce, collaboration and teamwork.

Our physical therapists start with a thorough baseline evaluation of your child, which usually takes about one hour. They will examine and observe your child while exploring your child’s medical history, discussing their health issues and talking with you about the goals of physical therapy. At the close of the evaluation, our therapists will present their findings and results, and give you a plan for physical therapy tailored to your child’s needs. The plan will include a proposed schedule and frequency for physical therapy treatments.

Your child’s physical therapy, depending on your child’s treatment plan, can include many different therapeutic modalities, including some of the following:

  • Tailored exercises
  • Elongating tight muscles and strengthening weak muscles during active exercise
  • Specialized equipment to help your child meet their therapy goals
  • Training children in the use of assistive and adaptive devices such as braces, various crutches and walkers
  • Application of advanced knowledge regarding motor development
  • Sport specific rehabilitation to ensure timely return to sport
  • Individualized home program with instructions in exercises and positioning to meet your child’s needs

For teenagers who need ongoing physical therapy treatments into young adulthood, we make sure the transitions to adult care are seamless and well-coordinated. We work closely with the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab​ (formerly the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago) and other premier institutions in the Chicago metropolitan area and region to ensure the continuity of care for every child. 

Nationally-Ranked Care

Lurie Children’s continues to be the #1 children's hospital in Illinois and is ranked in 11 specialties by U.S. News & World Report.

Our Physical Therapy Programs

Lurie Children’s offers many different multidisciplinary programs for children. Our physical therapists currently work as part of the teams evaluating and treating children in various programs.

Specialized Physical Therapy Services & Treatments

Our Physical Therapists

The physical therapists at Lurie Children’s have many years of experience evaluating and treating patients from infancy through adolescence.

Thomas Babu, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist II

Binghamton University; University of South Florida; Temple University

Laurel Bartling

Physical Therapist II

Rosalind Franklin University

Julie Behrens, DPT

Physical Therapist II

Northwestern University; Benedictine University

Kateland Beitler, PT, DPT, PCS

Physical Therapist II

Purdue University; University of Indianapolis

Colleen Blomgren, PT

Physical Therapist II

St. Louis University

Lynn Boswell

Physical Therapist III

University of Southern California; Lawrence University

Laura Brown, PT, DPT, PCS

Physical Therapist III

Washington University in St. Louis; University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Mary Noreen Cheng, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist

University of Michigan; Northwestern University

Evette Coll

Physical Therapist II

Washington University; Columbia University; University of Queensland

Ann Marie Crean, DPT

Physical Therapist II

Marquette University

Ellen Dietrick, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist II

College of Saint Scholastica; Marquette University

Christine DiLula, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist 

University of Dayton; Marymount University

Michele Dincher, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist II

St. Louis University

Kerry Donahue Day, DPT

Physical Therapy Manager

Marquette University

Dawn Drumm, PT, DHSc

Physical Therapist II

University of Iowa; Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science; University of Indianapolis

Megan Garhan, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist II

Northwestern University; University of Iowa

Alison Goetgeluck, PT, DPT, PCS

Physical Therapist II

Suzanne Green, PT, PCS, DPT

Physical Therapist II

Iowa Wesleyan College; Chicago Medical School Rosalind Franklin University; St. Scholastica University

Renee Gucciardi, DPT

Physical Therapist

Marquette University

Linda Haynes, C/NDT

Physical Therapist II

Case Western Reserve University; Ohio State

Jeanette Hill

Physical Therapist II

Northeastern University; Northeastern University; Texas Women’s University

Katie Hoffman, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist III

University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana; Midwestern University; The College of St. Scholastica

Kaitlin Holtgrave, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist II

Washington University

Nicole Hroma

Physical Therapist III

University of Illinois; St. Mary's University

Danielle Januszyk, PT, DPT, PCS

Physical Therapist 

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Northwestern University

Colleen Jarema, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist II

University of Dayton; Northwestern University

Jenitha Jomi, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist

University of Iowa; University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Jennifer Joseph, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist 

Central Michigan University

Sarah Kappers, DPT

Physical Therapist 

University of Notre Dame; Northwestern University

Nicolle Kaytsner, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist 

Marquette University

Elizabeth Kern, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist II

Marquette University

Christina Lacci, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist II

University of Wisconsin-Madison, Boston University

Katherine Laux, DPT

Physical Therapist 

Loyola University Chicago; Northwestern University

Kristin Leonhardt, PT, DPT

Physical Therapy Manager

University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign

Colleen Lopata, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist 

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Northwestern University

Kelly Malloy, DPT

Physical Therapist 

Purdue University; Northern Illinois University

Colleen McCloskey, DPT

Physical Therapist 

Marquette University

Shannon McKevitt, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist 

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Governors State University

Jennifer McQuillan, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist II

Purdue University, University of Illinois at Chicago

Hannah Mead, DPT

Physical Therapist 

Grand Valley State University; Duke University

Mary Meehan, PT

Physical Therapist II

Loras College; Northwestern University

Elizabeth O'Riordan, PT, DPT, MS

Physical Therapist II

University of Illinois at Chicago; University of Oklahoma; College of St. Scholastica

Arielle Ordonez, DPT

Physical Therapist 

Marquette University

Elle Page, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist II

University of Missouri

Haley Pereira, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist 

Springfield College

Madison Reimringer, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist 

University of St. Thomas; Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

Kathryn Ricautre, MSPT

Physical Therapist II

Augustana College; Washington Unviersity St. Louis

Laura Robinson

Physical Therapist II

DePaul University; University of Illinois

Celine Rosati Skertich, PT, MS, PCS

Physical Therapist

University of Health Sciences, The Chicago Medical School; Northwestern University

Claire Rossi, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist 

Northwestern University; DePaul University

Kim Rowe, MSPT

Physical Therapist II

University of Southern California

Christopher Sanchez, DPT, PCS

Physical Therapist 

University of California Davis; MGH Institute of Health Professions

Deborah Sattler

Physical Therapist II

University of Illinois at Chicago

Tiffany Sigerich, DPT

Physical Therapist II

University Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Boston University

Lauraetta Smith, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist 

Baylor University, Governors State University

Janette Stefani, PT, MSHA

Physical Therapist II

St Louis University; University of St. Francis

Margaret Swain, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist II

Elmhurst University; Washington University in St. Louis; Washington University in St. Louis

Rita Szopinski, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist II

Marquette University; The College of Saint Scholastica

Angeline Thommes, PT, DPT, C/NDT

Physical Therapist 

Northwestern University

Jessica Trenkle, PT, DPT, PCS

Physical Therapist

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Washington University in St. Louis

Bridget Ugaste, PT, DPT

Physical Therapy Clinical Coordinator

University of Illinois; Midwestern University

Jennifer VanScoyoc, DPT

Physical Therapsit II

Washington University in St. Louis; University of Illinois at Chicago

Monica Velasco, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist 

University of Florida

Casey Vogel, PT, DPT, PCS, CCS

Physical Therapy Heart Center Lead

Rachel Weida, PT, DPT, CKTP

Physical Therapist 

Governors State University; Northern Illinois University

Make An Appointment

We offer easy online scheduling for your child's physical therapy needs. 

Our Locations

Lurie Children's Hospital Outpatient Center in Lincoln Park

2515 N. Clark Street/467 W. Deming Place
Chicago, Illinois 60614-3393
1.800.543.7362

Get Directions

Lurie Children's Hospital Outpatient Center in Northbrook

1131 Techny Road
Northbrook, Illinois 60062
312.227.7600

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Lurie Children's Hospital Outpatient Center in New Lenox

1870 N. Silver Cross Blvd. (formerly Clinton Street)
Suite 100
New Lenox, Illinois 60451
312.227.3620

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Rehabilitation Services at Westbrook

Westbrook Corporate Center
11301 West Cermak Road, Suite 100
Westchester, Illinois 60154
312.227.1040

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Lurie Children's Hospital Outpatient Center in Grayslake

1475 E. Belvidere Rd. (Rte. 120)
Suite 285, Pavilion C
Grayslake, Illinois 60030-2012
312.227.2220

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Lurie Children’s Hospital Outpatient Center in Skokie

3722 W. Touhy Avenue
Skokie, Illinois 60076
312.227.5600

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Lurie Children’s Health Services - Arlington Pediatric Therapy

3105 N. Wilke Road
Suite H
Arlington Heights, Illinois 60004
312.227.8600

Get Directions

Physical Therapy News & Stories

Arlington Pediatric Therapy Management Services to Join Lurie Children’s

Read more

Philanthropy

Your support is vital in helping us continue to make a difference in the lives of patients and families. Lurie Children's relies on philanthropic funding to enhance its programs, services and research for children. To learn more, please e-mail the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago Foundation at foundation@luriechildrens.org or call 312.227.7500