Katie earned her Bachelor of Science degree with double minors in Fitness Training and Health Services Administration in 2016 from the University of Central Florida. She went on to receive her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Duke University in 2019. While at Duke, Katie served as the APTA Student Assembly Board of Directors Core Ambassador of North Carolina, NCPTA Student Advocacy Project Committee Chair, PT-Political Action Committee Chair, APTA House of Delegates Usher and student advocate at APTA Federal Advocacy Forum on Capitol Hill. Katie is a National Veterans Affairs Health Professions Scholarship Program recipient with a passion for providing clinically excellent care to our Veterans. She was also selected for the APTA Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy’s Mentorship Program and was the inaugural recipient of the APTA Section on Research Student Scholarship Award. Katie also went on a service-learning trip to St. Elizabeth Parrish, Jamaica where she treated patients with multiple neurological disorders, including stroke and Parkinson’s Disease.
Upon graduating with her DPT, Katie received the Helen Kaiser Alumni Award for her commitment to the profession of physical therapy and continued involvement in APTA activities. Her capstone research project titled "Harms and Benefits of Opioids for Management of Non-Surgical Acute and Chronic Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review" was recently published in the BMJ (British Medical Journal) and presented nationally at CSM. Katie currently serves on the Academy of Orthopedics’ Student and Early Career Recruitment Workgroup.
Katie chose the Utah Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Residency program for the structured mentorship, invaluable teaching opportunities, exposure to specialty clinics, and best preparation for the Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist exam. After completing the residency program, she hopes to begin her career working for a VA health system that values compassion and commitment to serving those who served us.
In her free time, Katie enjoys any outdoor adventures with her dog Koda and all things Duke Basketball. Katie is excited to continue to expand and refine her clinical orthopaedic skills at the UOC and Salt Lake City VA.