Member Spotlight

Learn about exceptional achievements in pelvic health as we shine the spotlight on our dedicated members, sharing their experiences, expertise, and passion to empower and educate the public about the benefits of physical therapy. If you are an Academy member, share your story with us by submitting a blog post or a shoutout! Review article guidelines here.

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Meet 2023 APTA Leadership Scholar – Natalie Surut, PT, DPT
Meet 2023 APTA Leadership Scholar – Natalie Surut, PT, DPT

Natalie Surut, PT, DPT is a pelvic health physical therapist and president of the Women In Leadership Special Interest Group through APTA UT. She graduated with her Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of Utah in 2022, where she was awarded the Elizabeth Fuhriman Gardner Prize for The Outs Continue Reading

Postedby Natalie Surut
Date posted01/31/2023


Meet 2023 APTA Leadership Scholar – Kylee Austin, SPT
Meet 2023 APTA Leadership Scholar – Kylee Austin, SPT

Hi! My name is Kylee Austin, and I am in my final year of my DPT program at Northern Arizona University. Although my most important job is being a mother to my three sons Tristan (7), and twins Keegan and Kayden (5), I look forward to graduating in December and becoming a pelvic health physical ther Continue Reading

Postedby Kylee Austin
Date posted01/27/2023


Erasing The Taboo: My Journey to Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
Erasing The Taboo: My Journey to Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy

The ease with which these professionals give up on supporting their patients is frustrating. I was diagnosed with Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) at around the age of 16; many years after my parents had begun searching for answers about my frequent pain and injuries. Continue Reading

Date posted01/18/2023


Why Pelvic Floor PT?
Why Pelvic Floor PT?

I never knew just how much a physical therapist could help with the aftermath of childbirth. I was so intrigued that I decided I needed to spend the day with Sarah and see just how she is helping her patients. Continue Reading

Postedby Ashley Goeckner
Date posted01/4/2023


Shattering Taboos: How Women Physical Therapists Are Redefining Pelvic Health Treatment
Shattering Taboos: How Women Physical Therapists Are Redefining Pelvic Health Treatment

Pelvic health issues are a common problem among women, yet many are reluctant to seek help due to the stigma surrounding these conditions. From urinary incontinence to pelvic pain, these issues can significantly impact a woman’s quality of life. Continue Reading

Postedby Khushali Harishbhai Trivedi
Date posted01/3/2023


My Journey to Pelvic Health Physical Therapy
My Journey to Pelvic Health Physical Therapy

I have always been passionate about women’s health. This stems from being a feminist from a very young age. Growing up and working on our family farm, my parents expected me to do the same work and the same jobs as my older brother, it didn’t matter that I was female. Continue Reading

Postedby Katherine Nicole Ruebush
Date posted12/22/2022


Intimate Partner Violence Awareness: An SPT’s Passion for Pelvic Health
Intimate Partner Violence Awareness: An SPT’s Passion for Pelvic Health

I am passionate about the field of pelvic health physical therapy because I want to empower women affected by intimate partner violence (IPV), which includes physical assault, sexual assault, and emotional abuse. Continue Reading

Date posted08/17/2022


PT and Doula Care: Perinatal Period
PT and Doula Care: Perinatal Period

Going into my first childbirth, I naively thought that because I was a physical therapist and had some pelvic health knowledge that I would innately know how to navigate through labor and postpartum recovery. Continue Reading

Postedby Ashley Williams
Date posted08/12/2022


Barre & Babies: how an SPT discovered pelvic health physical therapy
Barre & Babies: how an SPT discovered pelvic health physical therapy

Little did I know that a “couple hours a week” job would become such a big part of my life and fuel many of my passions today. As I pursued my bachelors in exercise science and now my doctorate of physical therapy at Youngstown State University... Continue Reading

Postedby Jaycie Watt
Date posted08/9/2022


Navigating Pelvic Health Physical Therapy as a Survivor of Sexual Assault
Navigating Pelvic Health Physical Therapy as a Survivor of Sexual Assault

Sexual abuse often results in chronic physical and mental health concerns for victims, which some studies have linked to a higher likelihood of chronic pelvic pain, irritable bowel syndrome and other pelvic floor disorders. Continue Reading

Postedby Morgan J. Meyer
Date posted07/28/2022


A Student's Journey To Pelvic Health Therapy
A Student's Journey To Pelvic Health Therapy

My commitment to physical therapy was solidified when my younger sister was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2019. As she started chemotherapy and radiation treatments, life shifted for my family as hospital trips became more frequent. Continue Reading

Postedby Raquelle Genevieve Hafen
Date posted06/1/2022


Meet the SSIG | Featuring Katelyn Hickey, SPT
Meet the SSIG | Featuring Katelyn Hickey, SPT

Welcome to the 9th ‘Meet the SSIG Members!’ The Student Special Interest Group is made up of student PTs and student PTAs from across the country – and we want to highlight them and their passion for the profession! Continue Reading

Postedby Katelyn Nicole Hickey
Date posted05/9/2022