Staff

Staff Bio Post Snippets

Sara Koveleski Kraut

PT, DPT, NCS, Cert. MDT

Owner, Physical Therapist

Treatment Philosophy

  • As every patient’s situation is unique, it is critical to learn and understand all aspects of a person’s life to help tailor the appropriate intervention to their specific needs, goals, and capabilities.
  • Incorporating evidence-informed practice into the evaluation and treatment of all patients is vital to their success in physical therapy.
  • Giving patients the tools to help themselves is critical to them living the best lives possible beyond physical therapy.

Education

  • Doctor of Physical Therapy, Finch University of Medicine & Science (now Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Spanish / Pre-Physical Therapy, The University of Iowa

Specialties

  • Board-certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist (NCS), American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS)
  • McKenzie-certified in Mechanical Diagnosis & Therapy (Cert. MDT), The McKenzie Institute
  • Vestibular Certification: Vestibular Rehabilitation: A Competency-Based Course (sponsored by Emory University and the American Physical Therapy Association)
  • Assistant Professor, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science
  • Credentialed Clinical Instructor, American Physical Therapy Association
  • Certified Pilates Instructor, From the Center (Chicago)
  • Certified Group Fitness Instructor, Aerobics and Fitness Association of America
  • Certified Personal Trainer, American Council on Exercise

Affiliations

  • American Physical Therapy Association – member
  • Illinois Physical Therapy Association – member
  • Illinois Network of Independent Physical Therapists – Board member (Secretary)
  • North American Seminars – National Educator
  • Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce – member, past-Chair for Women in Business

Awards

  • Clinical Education Award, Finch University of Medicine & Science
  • Outstanding Educator Award, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science

Personal

Sara 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 on teaching clinical neurology as it relates to PT. Sara received an award from the university for Outstanding Faculty Teacher in 2022.

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 credentialed by the McKenzie Institute certified in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy.  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 20 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 Neurology Section) and Illinois Physical Therapy Association (IPTA), as well as currently serving 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 in exercise and physical activity with older adults and has presented at several conferences nationally and internationally.

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 her Goldendoodle, Peppermint, and continues to teach community-based fitness classes regularly.

Natalia Cichosz, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist

Treatment Philosophy

  • I believe it is critical to stay informed on the latest research to ensure my patients receive the best care.
  • I am committed to providing excellent, individualized care for each patient to allow them to return to the things they love most.

Education

  • Doctor of Physical Therapy, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science
  • Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, University of Illinois at Chicago

Specialties

  • Advanced training in Vestibular Rehabilitation, Evaluation, and Treatment
  • McKenzie training (lumbar, cervical, and thoracic spine) – in progress towards full certification

Personal

Natalia completed her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. While completing her doctorate, she had the opportunity to participate in treating underserved populations, research, and teaching. She has worked with a multitude of patients in the areas of orthopedics, neurology, vestibular, post-surgical, geriatric, sports, TMD, post-mastectomy, and others. She stays up to date with research to ensure her patients receive the best care. Natalia is committed to providing excellent, individualized care for each patient to allow them to return to the things they love most. 

Natalia is currently working towards certification in the McKenzie method, having completed the first two (lumbar spine and cervical spine) of four phases toward certification. She has also had extra training in vestibular evaluation and treatment.

Natalia is bilingual, fluent in both English and Polish. She is an animal lover and enjoys learning new things. She enjoys it when her patients show her pictures of their pets or when they share their knowledge about things about which they are most passionate.

Blake Helton

PT, DPT

Clinic Supervisor, 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 two (lumbar spine & cervical 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.

Emma Marshall, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist

Treatment Philosophy

  • Being a great physical therapist involves taking the time to build rapport with a patient.
  • Research is constantly changing. It is important to stay up to date in order to provide the best care.

Education

  • Doctor of Physical Therapy, Rosalind Franklin University of Health Sciences
  • Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science, St. Ambrose University

Specialties

  • Neurological Rehab - Stroke, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, Balance Disorders: Enjoys incorporating boxing drills into treatment for neurological conditions
  • Orthopedic Rehab: Enjoys working with athletes and helping them return to sport after an injury
  • Vestibular Rehab

Personal

In her free time, Emma lives in Lakeview (Chicago) where she enjoys going for walks by the lake, attending Pilates classes, hanging out with friends, and exploring new restaurants.

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.

Vanita Chambers

Office Manager

Vanita is a native of Alabama. After high school she relocated to Detroit, Michigan where she studied business management at the University of Michigan. She later relocated to Chicago, IL, where she worked for the State of Illinois for over 8 years as a Health Care Advocate through the DHS/DORS programs.

Vanita has an extensive background in medical office procedures. She joined the Advanced Physical Therapy in 2018 starting from the front desk/ customer relations, to now the practice’s Office Manager. 

Vanita is a proud mother of two sons. She enjoys video chats with her oldest son and her beautiful grandchildren who still reside in Alabama, as well as hanging out with her youngest son who relocated to Chicago after college. She also enjoys helping seniors and people with disabilities find resources to enhance their quality of life. A true gem of Advanced PT, she is dedicated to making sure each patient feels welcomed and comfortable at our clinic.

Jackie Dreffein

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 therapy and the benefit it brings to quality of life. She brings a great amount of compassion to all who come to our facility for their rehabilitation needs.

In her spare time, Jackie enjoys road trips, gardening, and loves a great mystery novel!

Jackie's boisterous personality is a wonderful asset when you walk into our front desk at Advanced PT.

Jonella Black, PT, MS

Physical Therapist

Treatment Philosophy

  • I strongly believe in incorporating evidence-based medicine and research into all my physical therapy interventions.
  • Each client is unique in how their impairment affects function, and I develop personalized interventions for each individual client.

Education

  • Master of Science in Neurological Physical Therapy, Northwestern University
  • Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy, Indiana University

Specialties

  • Vestibular Certification: Vestibular Rehabilitation: A Competency-Based Course (sponsored by Emory University and the American Physical Therapy Association)
  • Vestibular Rehabilitation: Theory, Evidence, and Practical Application (Shirley Ryan Ability Lab - course co-instructor)
  • LSVT BIG Certification for Parkinson’s Disease (LSVT Global)
  • NDTA Certification (Neurodevelopmental Treatment Association) in the management of stroke and head injury

Affiliations

  • American Physical Therapy Association
  • Illinois Physical Therapy Association
  • Academy of Neurological Physical Therapy, Vestibular Special Interest Group

Personal

Jonella, her husband, John, and dog, Tuba, live in Evanston, IL. She has one son, Bobby, who attends Indiana University. Outside of work, she enjoys all outdoor activities including hiking, biking, downhill skiing and golfing. When she is inside, she spends time on photography, ceramics, and healthy cooking.