About Us
Meet The Team
Jessica Kerr, PT
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Jessica is a founder and a licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy. She received her B.S. in Kinesiology with an emphasis on exercise and health promotion and her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Jessica loves working with children and has experience treating infants and children in their home and community environments.
In her free time, Jessica enjoys running, weightlifting and long-distance triathlons. She has completed 5 Ironman triathlons, 2 half-Ironman triathlons, 2 ultramarathons, a marathon and numerous olympic and sprint distance triathlons. Jessica believes that movement is medicine and is diligent in incorporating exercise in her daily routines.
Dan Lankenau, PT
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Dan is a licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy and resident of Oak Park, IL. He completed his B.S. in Kinesiology, with an emphasis in exercise and health promotion and Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Dan formed Allied Therapy Partners with his co-founder Dr. Jessica Kerr to provide high quality individualized outpatient physical therapy to patients within their own homes.
Dan specializes in treating adults, adolescents and infants with a variety of musculoskeletal, neurological and post surgical conditions. He takes great joy in helping others to push past their perceived limits and achieve their full physical potential.
Dan enjoys travel, cooking and spending time with friends and family. He and his wife recently welcomed their first baby to the world and she has been keeping them on their toes ever since. His favorite forms of physical activity are hiking, running and powerlifting. Dan has completed numerous long distance races including half, full and ultra marathons. He believes that humans were meant to move and that regular physical activity is essential for both physical and mental health.
Melissa Pugh, PT, MPT
Pediatric Physical Therapist
Melissa Pugh, PT, MPT, is a pediatric and an orthopedic physical therapist with years of experience treating patients of all ages. She received her Bachelors of Health Sciences and Masters of Physical Therapy from Northern Illinois University. She has worked in various outpatient clinics, working with all ages and conditions and focuses on creating a wonderful connection with her patients to help them reach the maximum benefit from therapy.
Melissa's passion for pediatric physical therapy and Early Intervention came after her son had to undergo a year of speech therapy through Early Intervention.
Melissa loves to spend time with her husband, 3 year old son, two dogs and her cat. She is an avid crafter and reader.
Brittany Flaherty, PT, DPT
Pediatric Physical Therapist
Brittany Flaherty, PT, DPT is a licensed physical therapist who obtained her Doctorate in Physical Therapy, B.S. in Exercise Science, and minor in Psychology from Saint Louis University. She has many years of experience working in the sports and orthopedic field in a variety of settings. Brittany is credentialed in Early Intervention Services.
Brittany enjoys treating people of all ages, from infants to adults. She is a Certified Manual Physical Therapist and believes that utilizing these techniques with each patient allows for personalized care and a more holistic treatment approach. Brittany is passionate about working with children and families and in developing a collaborative relationship in order to help them reach their goals.
Brittany enjoys traveling, reading, and doing yoga. Her favorite activity is spending time with her two children and her husband, exploring all the fun activities in Chicago.
Suzanne Lans, PT, DPT
Pediatric Physical Therapist
Suzanne is a licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy and a credentialed Early Intervention Provider. She brings a decade of experience working with children from birth through 18 years of age across a wide range of orthopedic, neuromuscular, and developmental conditions, and has primarily provided services through the Illinois Early Intervention Program since 2021. Suzanne has pursued ongoing professional development in areas including toe walking, torticollis, and Neuro-Developmental Treatment (NDT).
Suzanne is passionate about helping children reach their fullest potential and believes strongly in partnering with families every step of the way. She enjoys empowering parents with knowledge, strategies, and confidence so they can support their child’s development during everyday routines and celebrate each milestone along the journey.
In her spare time, Suzanne enjoys traveling, hiking, trying new restaurants, and spending time with her husband and two young children
Rosie Goggin, PTA
Pediatric Physical Therapist Assistant
Rosealeen (Rosie) Goggin earned her Bachelor’s in Rehabilitation Sciences at University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). From there she continued her education at Oakton Community College to become a PTA.
Rosie has physical therapy experience working with neurodiverse children. She utilizes a play-based approach and DIR Floortime models for her sessions to engage the little ones. She is always looking to grow her knowledge to best support her clients and their families. She loves seeing children progress in their development, and believes engaging with families plays a key role in that process.
In her free time, Rosie loves to read a good fantasy book, create some art or try new foods. When she is not doing one of those things, she is cuddled up with her cat Tommy.
Jacqueline Konrad, PTA
Pediatric Physical Therapist Assistant
Jacqueline Konrad is a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant with over 12 years of experience in outpatient clinical settings and a strong background in sports and functional rehabilitation. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Exercise Science and Fitness Management from Concordia University of Chicago and completed her Physical Therapist Assistant training at Fox College.
Before transitioning fully into physical therapy, Jacqueline spent over 10 years working/teaching in early childhood programs with the Chicago Park District and 5 years teaching kindergarten, experiences that strengthened her communication skills, adaptability, and patient-centered approach. Her diverse background allows her to work effectively with patients of all ages, combining clinical expertise with a supportive and educational style of care.
Beyond her professional role, she enjoys traveling, line dancing, and attending sporting events and concerts. She also contributes to youth development and is actively involved in the community as a head referee and coach for a youth soccer program.
Tara DeWolfe, PT, DPT, CNT, CLC
Pediatric Physical Therapist
Tara DeWolfe, PT, DPT, CNT, CLC, is a pediatric physical therapist specializing in early intervention, with expertise in supporting infants and toddlers from birth to age three. She earned her BA in Psychology and Biology and her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from St. Ambrose University.
Tara is dedicated to fostering nurturing experiences for babies and families. She is a Certified Neonatal Therapist (CNT) and holds certifications in the Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program (NIDCAP), Prechtl’s Method on General Movement Assessment, and is a Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC). Tara is the co-developer of the Developmental Participation Skills Assessment and has co-authored multiple publications, related to newborn trauma informed care.
Tara is passionate about education, mentorship, and fostering family-centered care. As part of the Allied Therapy Partners team, she provides PTA supervision and works alongside colleagues to support evaluations and collaborative care.
Outside of Tara's work, one of her greatest joys is raising her seven children with her husband, Ben. Tara's passion for nurturing connections holds true both at home and in her work.
Grace Amato, M.A., CF-SLP
Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist
Grace Amato is an Illinois-licensed Speech Language Pathology Clinical Fellow with an Early Intervention credential. She grew up in Cleveland, Ohio and attended The Ohio State University where she earned her B.A. in Speech and Hearing Sciences and M.A. in Speech Language Pathology.
Grace has provided play-based, neurodiversity-affirming, and child-led therapy across a variety of settings to support children and their families in meeting communication goals. She believes that by providing parents and caregivers with effective strategies and resources, they can feel empowered to build a solid foundation for their child’s lifelong success. Grace is dedicated to delivering high-quality, evidence-based services grounded in the latest research and best practices in the field. She is thrilled to work with families and to support their child’s communication development.
Grace enjoys traveling, reading, trying new coffee shops in the city, going on walks, and spending time with her friends and family.
Jenny Middendorf, M.A., CF-SLP
Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist
Jenny Middendorf is an Illinois-licensed Speech-Language Pathologist with an Early Intervention credential, currently completing her Clinical Fellowship (M.A., CF-SLP). She is from Cincinnati, Ohio and earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Speech-Language Pathology from The Ohio State University. Jenny is deeply passionate about working with young children and their families during the most critical stages of development.
Jenny has had a variety of experiences with children aging from 6 months to 18 years of age with diverse diagnoses. She has clinical interests in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), language development, and parent coaching to empower caregivers as active partners in their child’s communication journey.
Her approach is grounded in the principles of neurodiversity-affirming care, with a focus on building connection, autonomy, and functional communication in ways that respect each child’s individual differences. She integrates play-based, child-led therapy and strives to create inclusive, supportive environments where all forms of communication are valued.
In her free time, Jenny enjoys exploring the city, staying active with running and Pilates, reading, and spending quality time with her friends, family, and cat.
Kylie Beecher, M.S. CCC-SLP
Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist
Kylie Beecher is a Pediatric Speech Language Pathologist with special interests in early language and feeding. She grew up in Wisconsin and earned her bachelors degree from the University of Wisconsin Madison. She then earned her masters degree in Speech Language Pathology at the University of South Florida in Tampa.
Kylie has experience working with children ranging from birth to 18 years of age. She has provided play-based, child-led therapy across both clinic and home settings to support children and families. Her approach is further built upon integrating therapeutic techniques into everyday environments and routines. Kylie believes in a team based approach to facilitating carryover of learned strategies across a variety of communicative contexts. She is excited to work with families and support their child’s communication and feeding development.
In her free time, Kylie enjoys running, playing golf, traveling, reading, spending time at the lake, visiting friends and family, and going to sporting events.
Beckett Shea-Shumsky, OTR/L
Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Beckett is a board certified and licensed Occupational Therapist (OTR/L) with a special credential in Early Intervention. Beckett received their Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Colorado College and their Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from University of Illinois at Chicago.
Beckett has experience in many different settings, including adult mental health, schools, hospitals, clinics, and early intervention. Beckett was inspired to specialize in Early Intervention after working with older children who had never received therapy services through the program because of long waitlists.
During therapy, Beckett loves collaborating with families to come up with personalized activities that work for everyday routines. Beckett uses a variety of approaches, including DIR Floortime, neurodiversity-affirming care, trauma-informed care, and play-based therapy. Before becoming an occupational therapist, Beckett conducted research in neuroscience, psychology, and recovery from stroke and trauma. Now, Beckett does research on evidence-based practice in pediatric occupational therapy and is also involved in disability rights advocacy.
Outside of work, Beckett likes to jog, paint, and cook. If they’re not doing any of those things, they’re lost in a good book.
Emma Gelberg, OTR/L
Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Emma Gelberg is a licensed Occupational Therapist (OTR/L) and is certified in Early Intervention Services. Emma received her Masters from Elmhurst University. She has a passion for helping children reach their highest potential. Emma has had a variety of experiences with children aging from 6 months to 12 years of age with diverse diagnoses.
Emma is a dedicated and enthusiastic therapist whose goals are to support families, help children reach their developmental milestones, and increase children’s overall skills. She uses a play-based approach to engage her clients. Emma believes it is crucial to collaborate with the entire family and other providers to deliver the best and most holistic therapy for her clients. In her free time Emma enjoys spending time with her friends and family, walking on the lakefront, and reading.
Gayle Farmer, B.S., M.S., DT
Pediatric Developmental Therapist
Gayle Farmer, B.S., M.S., DT, is an educator with over 36 years of dedicated experience in the field of education. Gayle Farmer has devoted her life to supporting children with special needs and their families. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, a Master’s degree in Multicategorical Special Education, and a second Master’s in Educational Administration.
Throughout her career, Gayle has specialized in working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), chromosomal disorders and developmental disabilities, blending her deep expertise with a compassionate, child-centered approach. She has served in a variety of educational roles—always with a focus on inclusion, empowerment, and meeting each child where they are.
Now certified as a Developmental Therapist, Gayle is excited to work more closely with families in their natural environments, supporting early development through play, routines, and relationship-building.
Outside of her professional life, Gayle finds joy in gardening, crafting, and most of all, spending quality time with her daughters. She brings this same warmth, creativity, and nurturing spirit into every session and every interaction.
Autumn McGee, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist
Autumn is an adaptable and driven Doctor of Physical Therapy who is committed to lifelong enhancement of her clinical skills and in making a meaningful impact on her patients' progress toward their goals. Autumn completed her Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She has experience in the mobile outpatient setting working with individuals across the lifespan, including pediatric, geriatric, orthopedic and pelvic health patients.
Autumn is eager to make a difference in her patient’s lives beyond the clinic setting. She enjoys working with individuals of all ages and has a particular passion for helping children achieve gross motor milestones, supporting athletes in returning to sport, and empowering adults to regain active lifestyles without limitations. When she’s not working with patients, Autumn enjoys staying active through running and strength training, crocheting, and taking care of her houseplants and two cats.
Danielle Cywinska, PT, DPT
Pelvic Health and Orthopedic Physical Therapist
Danielle Cywinska graduated from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and completed her Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree at Emory University. She has dedicated her career to the orthopedic and women’s health settings. She takes a holistic approach in her commitment to helping patients regain bladder, bowel and sexual function and helping them overcome chronic pelvic pain. She is passionate about helping women restore their health and confidence through physical therapy. Her interests include urinary and bowel dysfunction, chronic pelvic pain, pregnancy and postpartum, musculoskeletal complaints including SIJ dysfunction, and general orthopedics. Danielle holds a Certificate of Achievement in Pregnancy/Postpartum Physical Therapy (CAAP Certification) from the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and is pursuing her Women’s Health Certification (WCS). She is a member of the APTA section on Women’s Health.
Her goal for her patients is to create a safe, comfortable space to help find and treat underlying causes that might be affecting their pelvic floor. This might include treating a totally different body part that doesn’t seem at all related to the pelvic floor, but because it could be influencing the pelvic floor dysfunction, it’s important to treat it!
When she’s not working she likes to travel, walk in the forest, bake, hang out with her friends and family and catch up on 90-day Fiance.
Caitlin Hall
Customer Relations
Caitlin loves spending time with her husband and 2 kids. As a lifelong Chicagoan, she’s passionate about helping others and making her community a better place. She enjoys live music, crafting, and supporting small businesses.
Marx Emmanoelle Gatdula, PT, CHVA
Office Assistant
Marx is a licensed Physical Therapist in the Philippines and a Certified Healthcare Virtual Assistant with experience in both clinical care and healthcare administration. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, where his research group received national recognition, including a Best Research Presenter award and a peer-reviewed publication in BMJ Open.
He has worked across outpatient clinics and U.S.-based virtual healthcare settings, specializing in patient scheduling, insurance verification, EHR navigation, live scribing, and medical records management. Marx is known for streamlining workflows, improving documentation accuracy, and supporting multidisciplinary teams in fast-paced environments.
Outside of work, Marx enjoys forex trading, home exercise routines, swimming, traveling, cooking, and watching anime.
Shannen Nicole Habac
Revenue Cycle Manager

