OUR TEAM
Our staff and facility offer an environment and culture in which clients and therapists strive together for achievement of functional goals and improved health. Functional goals may include: improved walking and standing, transfer ability, trunk stability, posture, balance, and strength, and sport participation.
Health and wellness goals include: significant gains in cardiovascular and pulmonary function, increased bone density, decreased spasticity, reduction in the risk of skin lesions, and enhanced glucose tolerance. |
PHYSICAL THERAPISTSEileen Johnson, PT, DPTEileen Johnson, PT, DPT is a Physical Therapist from Chicago, IL joining as a Senior Physical Therapist and Clinical Director. Eileen received her doctorate in Physical Therapy from Midwestern University in Downers Grove and her undergraduate degree in Kinesiology from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She joins us with a variety of experience including Shirley Ryan Ability Lab and Shriners Hospitals for Children where she has worked with patients across the lifespan with a variety of neurological and orthopedic impairments throughout their levels of recovery. Eileen has a special interest in patients with spinal cord injury and complex patient populations.
Maryleen "Mary" K. Jones, PT, MPT, DHsc, CLT, NCSMaryleen "Mary" K. Jones, PT, MPT, DHSc, CLT, NCS is an Assistant Professor at Governors State University, currently teaching courses in patient management, neurotherapeutics, clinical education, and integrative research. Mary, received her Master of Physical Therapy degree from Governors State University, and Doctor of Health Science degree from The University of Indianapolis with a concentration in Neuroscience and Adult Education. Mary is a board certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist and a Certified Lymphedema Therapist. Mary’s research interests involve chronic neurological conditions as related to function, health, wellness, and quality of life. Mary is an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association, with active involvement in the Neurologic, Orthopedic, Oncology, and Acute Care Academies. Mary also serves in leadership of the Illinois Physical Therapy Association.
Taylor Kramer, PT, DPT
Taylor Kramer, PT, DPT is a Physical Therapist from Chicago, IL who received her Doctor of Physical Therapy from Northwestern University and undergraduate degree in Kinesiology from Indiana University Bloomington. She joins us after working at Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital as a physical therapist working with both neurological and orthopedic conditions. Taylor spent a great deal of time working with individuals with Parkinson's Disease with additional training while at Northwestern. She has treated patients across the lifespan with a continued special interest in treating adults with brain and spinal cord injuries. Taylor is an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association with involvement in the neurological academy.
Morgan Phenix, PT, DPT
Morgan Phenix, PT, DPT is a Physical Therapist who grew up in St. James, Missouri. She received her undergraduate degree in Health Science with a Rehabilitation emphasis from the University of Missouri in 2020 and her Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of Missouri in 2023. She joined the team following graduation after her clinical experience at Next Steps Chicago. Morgan is an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association, with involvement in the Neurological Academy. She is passionate about neurological rehabilitation and excited to help patients gain more independence and participate in things they love to do.
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Patricia O'Brien, MS, OTR/L |
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Patricia (Tricia) O'Brien, MS, OTR/L is a Chicago native who joins Next Steps with 19 years of experience as an Occupational Therapist. Tricia received her undergraduate degree in Kinesiology from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and her Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy from Rush University in Chicago. Throughout her career, Tricia has worked with clients across the lifespan and in a variety of settings. During her time at Shriners Hospitals for Children, she served as the lead OT on the Spinal Cord Injury team. In addition to training staff and students in spinal cord injury care and rehabilitation, this role offered her exposure to a research study that followed their pediatric spinal cord injury patients into adulthood to monitor their quality of life. It also allowed her the opportunity to attend multiple national spinal cord injury conferences. More recently, Tricia has worked in the acute care and inpatient rehab settings with adults with a variety of diagnoses, including stroke. Tricia loves to learn and enjoys the complex challenges that are often inherent to the neurologically impaired population. She is also an enthusiastic educator, always willing to help clients, families and students alike to better understand a topic. Tricia embraces the roots of OT, always striving to help her clients to maximize their independence and engagement in whatever it is they love to do.
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NEURO EXERCISE SPECIALISTSTomas DockusTomas Dockus, MS graduated from the Lithuanian Academy of Physical Education with a Master’s degree in Physical Education and Exercise in 1999. While working on his Master’s, Tomas worked at World Class Fitness in Kaunas, Lithuania as a personal trainer. It was at this facility that he gained experience designing exercise programs for both the general population and professional athletes. After Tomas and his family moved to the United States in 2002, he worked as a personal trainer for the Orland Park Life Time Fitness center. In June of 2004, he joined the NextSteps team and under the tutelage of Jon O’Connor, helped create and implement an aggressive locomotor training program for people living with paralysis.
Tomas is certified through the National Academy of Sports Medicine and maintains both personal trainer certification with the International Sports Sciences Association and certified strength and conditioning specialist with the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Additionally, Tomas is a certified user of Hocoma Lokomat and Argo’s ReWalk. His focus for continuing education includes activity based therapy and locomotor training. Creighton GossCreighton Goss graduated from Benedictine University in 2014 with a Bachelors degree in Exercise and Sports Studies. Creighton is certified through ACSM as a Certified Inclusive Fitness Trainer, ReWalk certification, RTI certifications for electrical stimulation and has his locomotor training certifications with Lokomat and Therastride. He started as an aide in 2015 and quickly moved up to becoming an exercise therapist and then moved in the manager position of the Neuro Adaptive Fitness & Wellness program.
Creighton comes from a unique background as he has been around spinal cord injuries since 2010. Creighton’s dad has been his inspiration to become a Neuro Exercise Specialist and help others who have neurological disabilities as his dad is a paraplegic. Creighton is always passionate about providing the best care to his clients and interacting with everyone who has questions about neurological disabilities. Adrianne PeraltaAdrianne Peralta graduated from Illinois State University in 2018 with a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science. She joined the team in July of 2018 after interning with the Neuro Adaptive Fitness and Wellness Program. Adrianne is a Certified Inclusive Fitness Trainer through the ACSM and also has her RTI certification for electrical stimulation and her ReWalk Certification. She enjoys getting to know the patients and clients on a personal level and hopes to help people with paralysis have the best quality of life.
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