Virtual Pop-Up: Nurture & Strengthen | Postpartum Care

Justine Ward, PT, DPT, WCS, CBBA

Justine practices at Valley Hospital in Mahwah, NJ, where she launched the outpatient rehabilitation Pelvic Health program in 2020. In February 2024, she took on a new role as one of the Prenatal/Postpartum Special Interest Group Directors for the Academy of Pelvic Health. Since then, she has co-produced the "Pregnancy Exercise Do’s and Don’ts" handout for Academy members. In her work, Justine has presented to dozens of OB/GYNs and midwives within the Valley Health System, educating them on the benefits of pelvic health physical therapy and the use of therapeutic ultrasound to treat clogged milk ducts. Her efforts led to the creation of a cross-disciplinary program supporting lactating individuals dealing with issues like blocked milk ducts and mastitis. Passionate about providing evidence-based, inclusive, and personalized care, Justine is dedicated to supporting prenatal and postpartum individuals. Having breastfed both of her children, she looks forward to continuing her breastfeeding journey with her newest family addition, expected in February 2025.

Katie Ver Hage MSN, BSN, RNC-OB, C-EFM, IBCLC

Katie VerHage MSN, BSN, RNC-OB, C-EFM, IBCLC earned her BSN from Rutgers University College of Nursing in 2003 and her Master’s of Nursing from Norwich University in 2018. Katie has been passionate about Women’s health since the inception of her career. She specialized as a Labor and Delivery nurse, certified in Inpatient Obstetric Nursing and Electronic Fetal Monitoring for over 17 years. She then transitioned to Postpartum care as a Clinical Shift supervisor before becoming the Manager of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Lactation and Family Education departments of the Valley Health System in Paramus, NJ. She received her International Board Certified Lactation Consultant certification in 2022. Katie’s main focus has been raising awareness on the importance of providing exclusive breastmilk for the immediate postpartum period, educating new employees on the role of lactation consultants within the health system and has been diligently working on establishing a donor milk program within the Valley Health System. Katie continues to grow relationships between hospital departments to collaborate and promote multi-disciplinary care for both inpatient and outpatient services to promote breastmilk feeding and breastmilk support.

Rachel Payne, PT, DPT, NCPT

Rachel Payne, PT, DPT, NCPT is a pelvic floor PT, pilates instructor, and owner of District Pelvic Health in Arlington, VA. Earning her DPT from the University of Miami in 2013, she began her career in outpatient orthopedics, laying a solid foundation for understanding how the body works as a system prior to pelvic floor training. In 2017 she became a Nationally Certified Pilates Instructor through Polestar Pilates. While navigating infertility, pregnancy, and a difficult birthing experience she leaned into her passion for the perinatal population, earning her CAPP-OB in 2024. She founded her practice, District Pelvic Health, in an effort to give other pregnant and postpartum people better access to the treatment, education, and care they deserve. When not working with clients, she is either doing Pilates, lifting weights, or she and her husband are busy chasing after their son William and dog Darcy.

Tara Moore, PT, DPT, NTP, IFMCP

Tara Moore earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Indianapolis in 2011. Tara has a Master’s degree in Exercise Science and Sports Administration from Cleveland State University and an undergraduate degree from Baldwin Wallace University, focusing on Health Promotion and Education. She has completed a variety of advanced training in physical therapy evaluation and treatment for patients with pelvic floor dysfunction, including from Herman & Wallace. Tara has taken extensive coursework studying visceral manipulation through the Barrall Institute. She is a Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner (IFMCP) through the Institute of Functional Medicine and a certified Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (FNTP) through the Nutritional Therapy Association. Tara utilizes her pelvic floor, women’s health and nutrition knowledge to provide customized whole-body treatment plans for optimal patient outcomes.