Katy grew up in the North Chicago Suburbs and started gymnastics when she was 8 years old. By the age of 16 she was training approximately 30 hrs a week and competing Level 10 for USA Gymnastics. Although sidelined with a knee injury, Katy was focused on a career path from which she has never waivered.
Determined to be a physical therapist and work with young athletes, Katy returned to competitve gymnastics which took her to Ball State University. There she earned her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Biology. She furthered her studies at Northwestern University Medical School, Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences where she received her Masters and Doctorate in Physical Therapy.

Katy then began practicing in a northern suburb outpatient orthopedic setting where she focussed on conservative management of surgical and non-surgical orthopeadic sports medicine injuries. She worked with athletes of all ages from noncompetitive to professional, specializing in treating gymnasts, dancers, ice skaters, and cheerleaders.

Katy participated in athletic outreach programs for area gymnastics clubs and high school athletic teams utilizing screening and analysis for injury prevention and performance enhancement. She also led continuing education classes for physical therapists and physicians regarding prevention of knee injuries specific to the female athletes. In addition, Katy has worked with gymnasts for 10 years coaching developmental through competitive gymnastics, plus, has been a personal trainer for 5 years.

Katy maintains a professional membership in the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) with memberships in the Sportsmedicine and Pediatrics sections. Katy also holds a certification in Sportsmetrics, which is a scientifically proven program of assessment and intervention aimed at decreasing knee injuries in the developing athlete.

Although Katy worked closely with some of the North Shore and Chicago’s premiere orthopedic surgeons and physical therapists, she had a strong desire to more completely integrate her passion of and expertise in gymnastics, fitness, and injury prevention for children.  Opening Jump Ahead Academy merges that passion and experience offering a platform to satisfy that desire. Email Katy with any questions you may have.

Eme & Katy