Denise Smith graduated from Marquette University in 2002 with a Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy, is a consultant for the Russian Olympic/National Triathlon Team, and instructs courses in Kinesiology at McHenry County College. Denise also travels the country as part of the Pose Method education team with a lecture series on injury prevention and treatment along with the running technique certification course.
She is a recreational runner and triathlete who loves spending time with her two active children and husband. As a busy mom, Denise understands the importance of using your time wisely and opened Smith Physical Therapy + Running Academy to help her patients get better faster and to help athletes run smarter.
Denise has spent her years obtaining certifications that allow her to treat each patient as an individual with a focus on hands-on manual therapy techniques, functional movement patterns, return to sports testing, and advanced treatment of athletes of all levels. Read about Denise's reasons for starting Smith Physical Therapy + Running Academy in this article by The Northwest Hearald.
Denise's advanced training includes: Certified Manual Physical Therapist, Pose Certified Running Specialist, Pose Certified Sports Technique Specialist, Functional Movement Screen Specialist, Gary Gray 3DMAPS Specialist, Certified Graston Technique Specialist, Y-Balance Test Specialist, ACL Injury Prevention and Return to Sport Specialist.
Her love of community drives Denise to give back with time. She is a proud member of City Council for the City of Crystal Lake and serves on several boards, including Leadership Greater McHenry County and the Downtown Crystal Lake Association's Org Committee. She volunteers for many charities and actively fundraises for local children's charities by acting as a race director for The McHenry County Santa Run and Patriot Run, Crystal Lake Aquathon, and Crystal Lake Half Marathon.
Dana Tress graduated Summa Cum Laude with her bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from Bradley University in 1997 and joined Smith Physical Therapy in March of 2017. She has worked in a variety of clinical settings, but has spent most her career working in outpatient orthopedics and neurology.
While she enjoys working with all orthopedic conditions and injuries, Dana has focused more than half of her career on extensive continuing education and training on dizziness, vertigo and balance disorders, concussion management and treatment, return to play/work progression, as well as headache treatment and management.
Dana’s combination of manual skills, functional movement analysis, balance and vestibular techniques, and clinical instruction techniques allow her to personalize each treatment to every individual. Additionally, Dana is a Certified Concussion Specialist, Certified Clinical Instructor, Certified Ergonomic Assessment Specialist, Gary Gray 3DMAPS Specialist, and Graston Technique® provider.
April found the field of physical therapy through multiple first-hand encounters, as she was involved in competitive gymnastics until the end of high school, and transitioned to pole vaulting in college. Her experience with many broken bones and orthopedic surgeries has given her the ability to empathize with her patients, and she has personally learned the power of exercising and rehabilitation.
April graduated from Clarke University in Dubuque, IA with a bachelor's degree in Biology in 2016, and again with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2018. Since then, she has spent her career working in the outpatient orthopedic field, treating a variety of post-operative and non-operative patients to help them return to their desired activity levels and improve their quality of life. April enjoys working with athletes and runners, as well as post-operative and general orthopedic conditions. She has taken courses in Rock Tape, Rock Blades, and manual therapy.
Maureen graduated from Midwestern University in 2000 with a master’s degree in physical therapy and received her doctorate in physical therapy from University of Indianapolis in 2013. She has worked in a variety of clinical settings, but has spent most of her career in outpatient orthopedics.
Maureen’s true passion is treating pelvic health conditions for both males and females where she can use her orthopedic knowledge to treat female patients through the lifespan from teenagers to menopause. She also helps males before and after prostate surgery as well as males of all ages with pelvic pain. She also has a strong interest in helping those with bowel dysfunction including constipation. Her goal is to maximize quality of life for her patients, breaking through the stigma and making the conversation on pelvic health comfortable and empowering for all genders to maximize quality of life.
Tracy has an Associate’s Degree in Physical Therapy, a Bachelor’s Degree in Child Studies and an Elementary School Teaching Certification.
She previously worked as an elementary school teacher and tutor, and embarked on a second career in physical therapy after being a stay-at-home mom for 13 years. Her passion for physical therapy came later in her adult life, when her father suffered a stroke, and she witnessed firsthand his progress with physical therapy. “I love seeing people benefit from therapy, decreasing their pain and improving the way they move and function in the world.”
After completing her Associate’s Degree in Physical Therapy in 2015, Tracy found herself specializing in spinal and back health. She loves a challenging case and has a drive to learn and grow with each new patient.
Outside of work, Tracy enjoys dancing, hiking and anything that gets her closer to the water, including traveling, boating, stand up paddle boarding, scuba diving and surfing.She was born and raised in Canada, but now calls Crystal Lake home along with her husband, Mike, two daughters and fox red lab, Timber.
Kirsten Rowland graduated from McHenry County College with her Associates of Applied Science as a Physical Therapist Assistant in 2020, joining Smith Physical Therapy in June of 2023. She began her career in an orthopedic setting, working with post-operative patients and athletes within the community.
She enjoys working with the orthopedic population, but also has interest in rehabilitation of the overhead athlete, pelvic floor dysfunction, foot and ankle dysfunction, as well as aquatic rehabilitation at Smith Physical Therapy + Aquatics. Kirsten is passionate about helping patients not only feel better, but move better; returning to the things they love to do and be a part of. She loves a challenge, and is willing to work patiently with those who are dedicated to their rehabilitation as much as she is. Kirsten is also a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and Illinois Physical Therapy Association.
Outside of the workplace, Kirsten enjoys hiking, film photography, and traveling. She also paints in her spare time, and is more than willing to curl up with a cup of coffee, a good book, and her cat Zion on a cold and rainy day. She was born in Freeport, Illinois, but has called McHenry home since 2008.
Kyle joined the Smith Physical Therapy + team in summer 2023 after completing the Physical Therapy Assistant program at McHenry County College. After completing his Associates Degree, he quickly realized that he wanted more. Kyle will be pursuing his DPT in the coming years.
As a member of the Wisconsin PGA, PGA teaching professional and PTI level 1 certified instructor, Kyle has an intimate knowledge of all things golf. Bonus - he loves to play the sport himself! As a PGA Teaching Professional, Kyle is passionate about teaching the game of golf and improving how his patients/students function biomechanically. The golf swing is a dynamic movement that requires a balance of mobility and stability while maintaining a specific posture. Kyle enjoys seeing athletes recover from pain and injury and get back to the sport they love.
Outside of the clinic, Kyle enjoys spending time with his wife, three kids and their family dog, Augusta. Kyle is an avid golfer and competes in many Wisconsin PGA tournaments. He also enjoys fishing, competitive disc golf, soccer, swimming and camping.
Jennifer joined the Smith team in 2023 after graduating from the Physical Therapy program at McHenry County College. She has also been a licensed esthetician since 2010 and loves working with people. Jennifer is driven and has passion for continuing to learn and honing her skills as a therapist.
Jennifer's passion for physical therapy continues to grow every day. While Jennifer enjoys working with all orthopedic conditions and injuries, her focus is on balance disorders, vertigo, and concussion rehabilitation. She believes in using guided movement and education to help people get back to feeling like themselves. She listens to her patients and is quick with a joke.
Outside of work, Jennifer loves to garden and hike. She enjoys playing games with her family and has 2 Catahoula Leopard Hound dogs. Jennifer is always up for going to a hockey game but hates the cold weather.
Megan was a patient at Smith Physical Therapy and Running Academy (a few times!) before she joined the team in March of 2021. She graduated from the University of Illinois in 2010 with a degree in Communications. Since then, her experience in health & fitness, chiropractic offices, and education, have helped shape her into a very well-rounded professional. Megan is also an RRCA (Road Runner’s Club of America) certified running coach and has been coaching runners of all ages for the past 7 years. Having finished 14 marathons and 7 Ironman triathlons, she is no stranger to stepping outside of her comfort zone. She believes that hard work, discipline, and a positive and open mind can get you what you are striving for.
Megan has been a part of the McHenry County community since the ripe age of 10 years old and does not plan on leaving anytime soon. Her heart belongs in Crystal Lake with her husband Robert. Megan is an avid runner and triathlete with a passion for good food and competition.
Karie joined the Smith Physical Therapy & Running Academy in May of 2021 as the Patient Experience Coordinator. Karie comes to the Smith Team with years of experience as the manager of Dick Ponds Athletics from 2011 to 2020. She also has been certified by the Road Runners Clubs of America since 2005 and coaching runners ever since. At the same time in 2005, she added Race Directing to her resume and directed 4 different annual races for Lifetime Fitness in Algonquin from 2005 to 2017. Karie also coordinated the Run Club at Lifetime Fitness in Algonquin from 2003 to 2019 and she is currently the Cycle Club Coordinator since 2008.
Karie is a mom of 3 to Jordan (26), Madison (18), & Ethan (17) and new puppy Dakota. She has been racing in the endurance world since 2001 and enjoys traveling and racing with her husband Greg. With over 30 full marathons and 4 Ironman Triathlons under her belt, she doesn’t plan on slowing down anytime soon!
Kim joined Smith Physical Therapy + in June of 2022 as a Patient Experience Coordinator. She’s been a Patient of Denise’s for the past 12 years and is super excited to be part of the Smith family! Kim graduated from Valparaiso University in 1992 with a degree in Sociology. After spending many years being CEO of the Roseland Household and earning her PhD as a Child Activity Coordinator and a Masters in Patience Management, she decided to enter the world of Helping others’ outside her home. She’s worked for Weight Watchers, a naprapath and multiple chiropractors. Kim loves watching patients work towards being pain free.
Kim is a mom to Allison, Emily and Benjamin. In her free time, Kim loves spending time with her family and friends, crafting, traveling and working out (no running forher unless being chased by a bear)!
Thania joined Smith Physical Therapy team in February of 2023 as a Patient Experience Coordinator. While studying psychology at The University of Iowa, she began her customer service career managing a few local restaurants, and through her experience she discovered a passion for helping others in any way possible! After moving back to be closer to her family, she found the perfect place in Smith PT+, where after just her first day she saw the amazing impact our therapists had on every single person that walked through our doors.
In her free time Thania enjoys spending time with her family, going on adventures with friends, crafting, and baking.
Christine joined the Smith Physical Therapy team as content strategist in May 2024. While earning her Bachelor of Arts in Interpersonal and Public Communication at the University of Findlay, she pursued her dream in thoroughbred racing and continued to ride racehorses for a decade across the country.
Her experience with physical therapy after recovering from a serious injury significantly shaped her career path to helping others in their path to recovery and wellness. From there she began working across a wide range of clinical environments. Her favorite thing is watching the process of patient care and success. As a storyteller and horse lover, she is an author and frequent contributor to multiple equestrian magazines and blogs.
Melissa graduated in 1998 from Western Illinois University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication. Her expertise encompasses both corporate and non-profit work. She began her career at Edelman, a global public relations firm, where she helped develop, execute and manage a variety of national initiatives for KFC’s consumer brand. She also assisted in the internal and national launch of KFC’s Corporate Charity, giving her much desired experience in the community relations arena. Desiring a role more community based, Melissa transitioned to the not-for-profit sector where she assumed the role of Director of Public Relations for an Illinois-based organization focused on adolescent health education. In addition to serving as the spokesperson for the organization, she developed and managed all marketing and PR programs on a local, state and national level.
Throughout Melissa’s early career, she worked in a limited capacity with Corporate Teams as an event facilitator, as her schedule would allow. As a result of her passion for the work she did with Corporate Teams, she decided to shift gears in 2009 and commit herself completely to Corporate Teams as the Regional Manager of the Midwest Region and Master Facilitator, while also focusing on her growing family. Melissa has worked on a variety of initiatives and has become the primary lead facilitator for Corporate Teams, working with hundreds of their clients.
Melissa’s favorite and most cherished role has been that of being a mom to her four kiddos! After dealing with multiple sports-related injuries among her children and seeing the positive impact of physical therapy and preventative movement therapy on their wellbeing, she jumped at the opportunity to join the team at Smith Physical Therapy +. Melissa is going back to her roots and diving back into the Public Relations arena in her new position, and is excited to spread the word about all the great things Smith PT+ has to offer.
Melissa has spent the last 18 years as a Huntley resident. She loves spending time with her husband and four kids (and her dog, Roxie), typically on the sidelines of a sporting event. She enjoys reading, live music, hiking, cheering on her kiddos and would love to one day live in Colorado!
