{"id":759,"date":"2021-06-10T07:06:11","date_gmt":"2021-06-10T14:06:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/earlybirdonline.com\/?page_id=759"},"modified":"2026-02-25T21:46:24","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T04:46:24","slug":"physical-therapy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/earlybirdonline.com\/?page_id=759","title":{"rendered":"Physical Therapists"},"content":{"rendered":"
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PHYSICAL THERAPY<\/span><\/h1>\n

Pediatric physical therapy supports children and families in meeting the needs of their children in relation to gross motor skills, including movement and mobility, strengthening, tone management, balance, and coordination. Physical therapists assist with posture and positioning and assist families with any adaptive equipment that they may need.<\/p>\n

Meet our <\/span>amazing<\/span>\u00a0Physical Therapists who keep Early Bird at it’s very best!<\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n
\n

AMY MARX<\/span><\/h3>\n

Amy is from Erie, Pennsylvania and has lived in Charlotte for 32 years. She graduated from Indiana University with a BA in Biology and and BS in Physical Therapy from Indiana University Purdue University at Indianapolis. Amy has been treating the pediatric population for over 30 years especially children with neurological and genetic disorders, torticollis, plagiocephaly, hypotonia, gross motor delays, complex regional pain syndrome and post-concussion syndrome. Amy has been married for 30 years and has 3 children in their 20\u2019s. Her career and life goals are to maintain her career in physical therapy, learn more each day and share her knowledge and happiness with others! Fun fact about Amy is that I am a dog lover and has a puppy named Archie.<\/p>\n

ALLIE SULLIVAN<\/span><\/h3>\n

ASHLEY FISHER<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u00a0Ashley has been a physical therapist for 13 years, practicing exclusively in pediatrics for the past 11 years. \u00a0She graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 1998 with a bachelor\u2019s degree in Biology and in 2000 with a master\u2019s degree in Physical Therapy. \u00a0Originally from Charlotte, she recently moved back to the area from Durham and now serves the north Charlotte area. \u00a0She has practiced in outpatient pediatrics, Special Care Nursery, home health, and school settings during her career. \u00a0She has served a variety of diagnosis, including Cerebral Palsy, Down syndrome, torticollis, prematurity, gross motor delay, osteogenesis imperfecta, Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, and other orthopedic issues in children ages birth to 18 years old. \u00a0She has received specialized training in NDT Facilitation, aquatic therapy, Theratogs, orthotics, wheelchair and equipment fitting, torticollis, treatment of the premature infant, and Partial Weight Bearing Gait Training. \u00a0She especially enjoys working with children with cerebral palsy, torticollis and premature infants. \u00a0When not practicing she enjoys spending time with her husband and two young children, biking and going on hikes.<\/p>\n

Beth page<\/span><\/h3>\n

BETH WHETSTONE<\/span><\/h3>\n

Beth graduated from The Ohio State University in 1997 with a degree in Allied Health\/Physical Therapy.\u00a0 She graduated from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions with a\u00a0 transitional Doctorate in Physical Therapy specializing in pediatrics in 2017. \u00a0 Beth has worked in a variety of settings including outpatient orthopedic, sports medicine, geriatric home care, and pediatrics.\u00a0 Each area has added to her\u00a0 knowledge and understanding of the aging process,\u00a0 family support, and medical diagnosis.\u00a0 Beth has\u00a0 received certification in pediatric NeuroDevelopment Treatment and pediatric kinesiotape application\u00a0 Beth is an APTA board certified clinical specialist in pediatric physical therapy.\u00a0 \u00a0She has attended extensive coursework in a variety of areas including respiratory care, neuromotor disorders, sensory processing, bracing\/alignment, manual work, and vestibular hypofunction.\u00a0 When asked what she enjoys most about her job, she will tell you everything (except the paperwork)!\u00a0 \u00a0Beth is married to her high school sweetheart and has triplets.\u00a0 In her spare time you will find her cheering on her kids in their various activities or spending time outdoors.<\/p>\n

CHRIS PAUL<\/span><\/h3>\n

Chris is\u00a0originally from Stone Mountain, GA which is right outside of Atlanta. He graduated from Wingate University with his bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science in 2019. He loved it so much He decided to stay and also get his DPT degree from Wingate in 2023. Chris always knew he wanted to go into pediatrics, so after he finished his time at Early Bird as a student PT, he was thrilled to come on full time after obtaining my license. Chris loves working at Early Bird not only because he gets to work with amazing kiddos from various backgrounds and with varying needs, but he also gets to work and learn from other amazing coworkers!\u00a0 FUN FACT: Chris is a first generation American as his father is from Trinidad and Tobago and his mother is from Jamaica. They moved to the US for college and have instilled in Chris the importance of continuous learning.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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DIANE JACKSON-SZYMCYZK<\/span><\/h3>\n

Diane graduated from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston in 1977 with a Bachelor\u2019s of Science in Physical Therapy. She was part of the second graduating class of MUSC. She was born in Chapel Hill, but grew up in Bennetsville, SC, and she lived in Allentown, PA for 8 years before moving to Charlotte. Her special interest is in complex pediatrics. She loves helping families understand their child as being special but not fragile. She enjoys working on equipment needs and sorting out what will be best for the child. Diane has 10 grandchildren from ages 21 months to 26 years! In her free time she enjoys hiking, travelling, and yard work.<\/p>\n

JENNIFER GOTTLIEB<\/span><\/h3>\n

Jennifer Gottlieb is originally from Durham, NC. She graduated from East Carolina University in 1993 with a BS degree in physical therapy. She has worked exclusively in pediatrics in a variety of settings including: NICU, pediatric rehab hospital, outpatient clinic, early intervention and home health.
\nJennifer has experience with a multitude of neurodevelopmental disorders including cerebral palsy, Down\u2019s syndrome, spina bifida, Torticollis, and developmental delay. Jennifer has received advanced training in NDT facilitation, premature infants, spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, sensory processing disorders, total motion release and aquatic therapy. She has also presented at the Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Conference on the topic of physical therapy treatment after selective dorsal rhizotomy in children with cerebral palsy. Jennifer enjoys working with children and their families and assisting the children to achieve their maximal potential regarding their motor development. In her free time, Jennifer loves to spend family time with her husband and three teenage children. She enjoys soccer, hiking and reading.<\/p>\n

KAREN CHARLTON<\/span><\/h3>\n

Karen received her Master of Physical Therapy from Emory University in 1987 and completed her Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of Montana in 2019. Karen loves serving children with all diagnoses, and she has been practicing in the Charlotte area for over 30 years. She offers a full-body treatment approach, utilizing her training in Neurodevelopmental handling and facilitation (NDT), Myofascial Release (MFR), Total Motion Release (TMR), and Cranial Sacral Therapy (CST). Karen also enjoys assessing posture and biomechanics, assisting with equipment and orthotic management when needed. In addition, she serves as an adjunct faculty member at CPCC and as a Yoga instructor and educator. Karen finds pleasure in spending time with her husband and three children.<\/p>\n

KASSI ROSE\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Kassi was born in Vermont but has lived in NC since she was 8 years old, and has lived in Charlotte since she became a physical therapist in 2012. Kassi has treated pediatrics for her full career in outpatient and hippotherapy settings. She attended NC State University (Go Pack!) for her undergraduate degree in Biomedical Engineering and then attended East Carolina University to receive her Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Kassi has received continuing education in Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI) and loves the impact it has had for the children she is treating. Other coursework she has taken includes kinesiology taping, orthotics, and use of focal and whole body vibration. Kassi would claim to be a \u201cjack of all trades, master of none\u201d so she can work with a variety of kids and has worked with all levels and ages (birth – 20 years old). She most appreciates being a part of her patient\u2019s stories while helping them achieve all milestones, big and small. Kassi currently lives in uptown Charlotte with her partner, Scott, and their 2 dogs. In her spare time, Kassi plays board games, reads books, and attends musicals and local sports.<\/span><\/p>\n

Kimmie Ayres<\/span><\/h3>\n

MELANIE SEELEY<\/span><\/h3>\n

Melanie is originally from New York City but spent a\u00a0majority of her\u00a0career living and working in Hawaii and has been in NC since 2018. She has been a physical therapist for 28 years. She graduated from Old Dominion University in 1997 with a Masters Degree in Physical\u00a0Therapy and is currently working on a Clinical Doctorate degree at UNC Chapel Hill.\u00a0 \u00a0Her special interests and certifications\u00a0in the field include orthopedic manual\u00a0therapy, myofascial release, craniosacral therapy, visceral manipulation, sensory integration, PNF and NDT.\u00a0 \u00a0In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with\u00a0her two very active children and enjoying\u00a0the outdoors.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

NATHALIE VanFOSSEN<\/span><\/h3>\n

Nathalie was born in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada and she moved to the Carolinas at age 4. She graduated from UNC-Charlotte with a BS in Health Promotion and Kinesiology in 1999 and Associates Degree from PT Assistant program at CPCC in 2002. She enjoys working with Children with Down Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy. She and her husband Ty have two boys, Mason and Micah. She enjoys watching her boys play baseball and running.<\/p>\n

SHAWNA CARY-COLEMAN<\/span><\/h3>\n

Shawna graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with a BS in Psychology and BS in Exercise and Sports Science to then graduate in 2002 from East Carolina University with a Masters in Physical Therapy. Shawna has provided pediatric physical therapy since graduating and specializes in the birth to 3 years old population. She was born in Pittsburg but was raised in Albermarle North Carolina, 45 minutes outside of Charlotte. Shawna enjoys her time outside of work with her husband, two children, and two dogs. Her family lives on the lake and loves all things swimming, boating, paddle boarding, fishing, and tubing!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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