Meet Our Staff

 

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Sara Kove leski Kraut, PT, DPT, nCS

Owner, Physical Therapist
Board-Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist
Assistant Professor, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science
 
Sara received her B.A. in Spanish from the University of Iowa and her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Finch University of Health Sciences/The Chicago Medical School (now Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science). She is the owner, founder, and director of Advanced Physical Therapy & Health Services (APTHS). She is a board-certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist (NCS) through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS). She is an Assistant Professor at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science with an emphasis in teaching clinical neurology as it realtes to PT. 
 
Sara specializes in the evaluation and treatment of neurological, orthopedic, and vestibular conditions, and has attended multiple continuing education courses in these areas.  Sara successfully completed the APTA Vestibular Rehabilitation Competency-Based Course chaired by Susan Herdman. She is also a credentialed Clinical Instructor through the APTA. Sara travels nationally for North American Seminars providing continuing education courses and having educated thousands of physical and occupational therapists over the past 15 years, specifically for Pilates in Rehabilitation and the Evaluation and Treatment of Parkinson's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, and Peripheral Neuropathy. She is a certified Pilates Instructor, an AFAA-certified Group Exercise Instructor, and an ACE-certified Personal Trainer.
 
She is an active member of the APTA (Private Practice Section) and Illinois Physical Therapy Association (IPTA), as well as currently serves on the board as Secretary of the IPTA’s Illinois Network of Independent Physical Therapists. She also served on the ACAPT Student National Honor Society Task Force, helping develop the first national honor society for PT students. Sara's research combines her interest of exercise and physical activity with older adults and has presented at several conferences nationally and internationally.
 
Sara is currently working toward certification in the McKenzie Method, having completed two (Part A: lumbar spine and B: cervical and thoracic) of four phases toward certification. 
 
Sara is fluent in Spanish. She is an avid exerciser, has run several marathons, and is a lifelong Cubs fan. In her spare time, she enjoys having fun with her husband, three children, and Goldendoodle, Peppermint, and continues to teach community-based fitness classes.

  

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NATALIA CICHOSZ, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist
 
Natalia graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with an emphasis on Movement Science. She completed her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in 2021. While completing her doctorate, she had the opportunity to engage in research, teaching, and treating underserved populations. She has worked with a multitude of patients in the areas of acute inpatient, orthopedics, neurology, vestibular, and post-mastectomy. She is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association which allows her to stay up to date with the most recent research to ensure her patients receive the best care.
 
Natalia is currently working towards certification in the McKenzie method, having completed the first (lumbar spine) of four phases toward certification. She has also had extra training in vestibular evaluation and treatment. Natalia is committed to providing excellent, individualized care for each patient to allow them to return to the things they love most. 
 
Natalia is bilingual, fluent in both English and Polish. She is an animal lover and enjoys learning new things. She enjoys when her patients show her pictures of their pets or share their knowledge on things about what they are passionate.  
 
 

 

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BLAKE HELTON, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist
 
Blake graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Madison with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. He graduated with his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Missouri. Blake is passionate about treating individuals with conditions dealing with dizziness/ balance, as well as injuries and surgeries relating to sports and orthopedics. He is passionate wbout providing the best individualized care to each and every patient. His scope of practice includes treating vestibular disorders, orthopedic conditions, neurologic conditions, and temporomandibular joint disorders. He enjoys staying up-to-date on current research to implement the best interventions and treatment to accelerate his patients recovery.
 
Blake is currently working toward certification in the McKenzie Method, having completed the first (lumbar spine) of four phases toward certification. Prior to joining the team at APTHS, he worked in an outpatient orthopedic clinic focusing on treating orthopedic and sports conditions, as well as vestibular/dizziness disorders. He has also completed some training in the Graston Technique.
 
In his spare time, Blake enjoys training for marathons, going to the gym, and playing board games.
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Heather Owens, pt, MPT, Cert. MDT

Physical Therapist
 
Heather graduated from Saint Louis University in 2001 with a Masters degree in Physical Therapy. Since graduating, she has worked as a physical therapist in various settings including hospital-based care, wound care, and outpatient clinics. In 2010, she received her certification in the McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy. Subsequently in 2011, she completed the Susan Herdman Vestibular Competency Course at Emory University.
       
Heather’s career as a physical therapist has not only allowed her to help people here and abroad achieve their movement goals, but it has also given her the opportunity to get to know the diverse group of people in the community.  It is an absolute privilege to earn the trust of patients, and she feels honored to be involved in their care. 
 
In her spare time, she has worked with organizations such as ROMP (Range of Motion Project) in which she traveled to Haiti to assist in rehab after the earthquake and Adaptive Adventures, an organization that helps people with physical disabilities participate in various outdoor sports.  She lives with her husband and two young children and enjoys trying new cuisine, learning, and traveling.  She enjoys being active, and especially loves barre classes, skiing, and being outdoors.  She currently lives in Park Ridge, and as much as she loves all of the above activities, she spends most of her time with family and friends.

 

 

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Danielle McKenna, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist
 
Danielle graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and completed her Doctorate in Physical Therapy at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in 2011. She has treated in an outpatient hospital-based settting for over 8 years and has specialized in treating patients with vestibular conditions, orthopedic injuries, and sports injuries. Danielle enjoys taking a creative approach to rehabilitation and prides herself in developing unique treatment plans to address individual patient's needs and goals.
 
When she is not working, Danielle loves staying active with her husband, two young daughters, and their dog, Seamus.  
 

 

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Laura rodrigo, lmt

Massage Therapist
Myofascial Trigger Point Therapist
 
Our massage therapist, Laura, has been practicing massage therapy since 2005. She graduated as class salutatorian and then obtained both her Illinois State and National license. Since that time, she has also maintained active membership with the AMTA (American Massage Therapy Association). She joined our team in 2011 and splits her time between here and the Five Seasons Sports Club in Northbrook where she has worked since 2007. Her specialty is in Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy, where she has advanced training and experience. She has completed more than 87 hours of continuing education in that area alone, as well as 2 plus years working alongside the leading Trigger Point therapists and educators in Chicago. Laura also has experience working in a variety of settings - a fully integrated chiropractic & functional medicine rehabilitation clinic, salon & spa, health club, corporations, and educational workshops - all of which combined allow her to accommodate a diverse people and conditions. Her passion is in rehabilitative massage and believes that massage is a powerful tool in helping people not only to relax, but also eliminate pain and restore function. She also enjoys taking classes in a variety of areas to keep her up to date on the latest research and techniques in the massage therapy field.
 

 

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VANITA CHAMBERS

OFFICE MANAGER

 
Vanita has an extensive background working in medical offices. She worked for the State of Illinois for over 8 years as a Health Care Advocate. Vanita also studied business management at the University of Michigan.
 
Originally from Alabama, she relocated to Chicago after her two sons left for college. She enjoys volunteering and helping seniors and people with disabilities find resources to enhance their quality of life. In her downtime, she loves music, theatre, and the great outdoors. 
 
 

Jackie

 

Jackie DREFFIEN

Front Office 

 
A native Californian, Jackie and her husband have resided in Park Ridge for over 20 years.
 
As a double knee replacement recipient, Jackie understands the importance of physical tehrapy and the benefit it brings to quality of life.
 
In her spare time, Jackie enjoys road trips, gardening, and loves a great mystery novel!
444 S. Northwest Highway    Suite 202,    Park Ridge, IL    60068 Phone 847-268-0280 Fax 847-268-0283 info@apths.com
©2011 Advanced Physical Therapy & Health Services, LLC. All rights reserved.