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Rebecca has a Master’s degree in Physical Therapy and has worked alongside chiropractors throughout her 15 year career. She performs thorough musculoskeletal examinations and is responsible for the development and implementation of a plan of care that includes direct intervention, communication, collaboration, patient education and the evaluation of outcomes. Her many years of experience in a multidisciplinary setting makes her an integral part of the holistic approach our office strives to achieve. She is highly collaborative with the Physical Therapist Assistants Brent and George who carry out the treatment plan to help people live healthy and active lives.

Heliben Patel, DPT, is a physical therapist at Healing Rehab Physical Therapy SC, in Bloomingdale, Illinois. She is versed in a broad range of physical therapy treatments, dedicated to improving each patient’s quality of life, and skilled in developing effective treatment plans tailored to their needs and preferences. 

Dr. Patel earned a Bachelor of Physiotherapy at Charotar University of Science & Technology, located in Changa, Gujarat, India. She then relocated to the United States, where she completed a Doctor of Physical Therapy at Arcadia University.

Following her physical therapy training, Dr. Patel worked as a physical therapist in a variety of home health and clinical settings throughout Illinois.

She joined the Healing Rehab Physical Therapy SC team in 2021, and has helped patients heal from sports injuries, workplace injuries, degenerative conditions, and chronic pain.

Dr. Patel looks forward to meeting new patients and designing personalized treatment plans that fit their needs.

Heather Dillavou, PT, MS, is a physical therapist with over 25 years of experience specializing in the treatment of pelvic health issues. Heather brings her expertise to The Association for Women's Health Care, Ltd. in Chicago and Northbrook, Illinois, where she works to help her patients address their problems fully with a compassionate and patient-centered approach.

Heather attended Saint Louis University in Missouri, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy. She went on to complete her Masters of Science in Physiotherapy at the University of Melbourne in Australia. An avid learner, Heather has completed numerous courses related to her field and continues to be up to date in her specialty.

As part of her continued education and involvement within her field, Heather maintains active memberships with the American Physical Therapy Association, the Chicagoland Pelvic Floor Research Consortium, and the Global Pelvic Health Alliance. Her clinical specialties include pelvic pain, sexual health, peri/postnatal issues, postnatal return to fitness, urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and trauma-informed care.

Heather believes in a patient-centered approach to care and wishes to empower her patients to find sustainable solutions to their problems. She aims to provide her patients with a safe, judgment-free environment as she assists them in meeting their goals. Heather has extensive clinical experience and has enjoyed serving as a mentor, lecturer, and clinical instructor throughout her career.

About Dr. Kennedy

Dr. Karina Kennedy is a graduate from Midwestern University where she attained her Doctorate in Physical Therapy.  She received her BS in kinesiology and minor in Spanish at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

She is passionate about creating comprehensive treatment plans that incorporate evidence based research interventions with a positive and motivational attitude to ensure optimal patient care.

Dr. Kennedy practices the McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy, is a certified provider in the Graston Technique, a form of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization, and also practices many other forms of physical therapy treatment.

She believes in working together with her patients to establish the best method of treatment that will suit their individual needs and goals.  Dr. Kennedy’s method of evaluation and treatment allows her to provide superior care for patients experiencing both chronic and acute medical conditions.

About Hendrickson

Karen Hendrickson, PT graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Medicine and later earned her Masters in Education at NIU. She has worked in physical therapy for more than 45 years specializing in the treatment of chronic pain. Specialties include manual therapy, visceral and nerve mobilization, craniosacral therapy, MFR, taping and instruction of  pain management techniques for improved patient care.

A native of Chicago, IL, Dr. Mera Hashwani PT, DPT is an Advanced Wellness Physical Therapist whose philosophy of treatment is centered around providing therapy interventions that help patients achieve their functional goals through a variety of approaches tailored to each individual patient using a holistic approach.

Dr. Mera Hashwani PT, DPT earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Loyola University Chicago. Later, she received her doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine in St. Augustine, Florida.

Dr. Hashwani is fluent in Urdu, Hindi, English and some Spanish.

While working toward her Doctorate, Dr. Hashwani was able to complete advanced therapy related coursework that included functional analysis and advanced evaluation and manipulation of the lumbo-pelvic hip complex, craniofacial, cervical and upper thoracic and lumbar spine.

Dr. Hashwani PT, DPT has experience working all over the nation in outpatient clinics in New York City, Chicago, Atlanta, Indianapolis and San Diego treating a variety of patient populations ranging from pediatrics, geriatrics, sports-specifics, vestibular, movement performance and worker’s compensation with a variety of backgrounds including female and male athletes, dancers and circus performers.

Dr. Hashwani has a passion for working with athletes for return to sport using advanced techniques in plyometrics, speed agility and strength, patients who have undergone post-operative procedures from arthroplasties to ACL and rotator cuff repairs and tears as well as assistive device training. Dr. Hashwani also treats BPPV/vertigo. Her main therapy interventions include therapeutic exercises, activities, manual therapy, neuromuscular re-education, gait training, and modalities to patients with neuromusculoskeletal impairments and conditions for meeting short- and long-term goals.

Dr. Mera Hashwani PT, DPT is currently in the process of working on case report for future publication regarding anterior compartmental syndrome in a high school volleyball player.
Her pastimes activities include running, reading, painting and is a very big makeup enthusiast.

She currently resides in Lombard, IL with her boyfriend and her orange tabby, Leland.

Dr. Mera Hashwani PT, DPT is currently accepting new patients.

Heather Dillavou, PT, MS, is a physical therapist with over 25 years of experience specializing in the treatment of pelvic health issues. Heather brings her expertise to The Association for Women's Health Care, Ltd. in Chicago and Northbrook, Illinois, where she works to help her patients address their problems fully with a compassionate and patient-centered approach.

Heather attended Saint Louis University in Missouri, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy. She went on to complete her Masters of Science in Physiotherapy at the University of Melbourne in Australia. An avid learner, Heather has completed numerous courses related to her field and continues to be up to date in her specialty.

As part of her continued education and involvement within her field, Heather maintains active memberships with the American Physical Therapy Association, the Chicagoland Pelvic Floor Research Consortium, and the Global Pelvic Health Alliance. Her clinical specialties include pelvic pain, sexual health, peri/postnatal issues, postnatal return to fitness, urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and trauma-informed care.

Heather believes in a patient-centered approach to care and wishes to empower her patients to find sustainable solutions to their problems. She aims to provide her patients with a safe, judgment-free environment as she assists them in meeting their goals. Heather has extensive clinical experience and has enjoyed serving as a mentor, lecturer, and clinical instructor throughout her career.

Rebecca has a Master’s degree in Physical Therapy and has worked alongside chiropractors throughout her 15 year career. She performs thorough musculoskeletal examinations and is responsible for the development and implementation of a plan of care that includes direct intervention, communication, collaboration, patient education and the evaluation of outcomes. Her many years of experience in a multidisciplinary setting makes her an integral part of the holistic approach our office strives to achieve. She is highly collaborative with the Physical Therapist Assistants Brent and George who carry out the treatment plan to help people live healthy and active lives.

Michael Kordecki, DPT, CSCS, ACT, is a board-certified orthopedic physical therapist and owner at Praxis Physical Therapy in Vernon Hills, Illinois. With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Kordecki has treated numerous patients in need of physical therapy or customized human performance programs.

Dr. Kordecki earned his Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Finch University of Health Sciences, part of the Chicago Medical School, in North Chicago, Illinois. He received board certification in clinical sports medicine through the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and is a certified athletic trainer.

Prior to starting the Praxis Physical Therapy practice, Dr. Kordecki worked as a team physical therapist and athletic trainer with the Chicago Bears football team, served as the director of physical therapy at McCaskey Sports Center and Deerpath Sports Fitness Center in Lake Forest, Illinois, and was the director of rehabilitation services at Lake Forest Orthopaedics of the Illinois Bone & Joint Institute in Libertyville and Lake Forest, Illinois.

Dr. Kordecki is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and the National Athletic Trainers Association.

Ryan Hartley, DPT, is a physical therapist with 15 years of experience treating patients at Praxis Physical Therapy in Vernon Hills, Illinois. Dr. Hartley works closely with individuals to find the underlying issues causing symptoms to develop personalized treatment plans and obtain the best possible outcomes. Considered an expert in the field, Dr. Hartley is sought after for lectures involving sports medicine, orthopedics, and clinical physiology topics.

Dr. Hartley earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign before completing a Doctor of Physical Therapy at Rosalind Franklin University in North Chicago, Illinois. He is bilingual, communicating easily with both English and Spanish speaking patients.

In addition to treating patients at Praxis Physical Therapy, Dr. Hartley is an adjunct clinical instructor at Rosalind Franklin University, where he shares his knowledge to future physical therapists. He is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and the American Academy of Sports Physical Therapy.

​​Beth Papke is one of the skilled physical therapists on the team at Praxis Physical Therapy in Vernon Hills, Illinois. Beth is deeply committed to her profession in physical therapy and devoted to helping patients feel better.

After practicing for more than 20 years with her master’s degree, Beth ambitiously decided to further her education and successfully earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy in May 2021. The team appreciates the time, dedication, and commitment involved in achieving this milestone. 

While Beth is warm and compassionate, she still manages to drive her patients to new levels of function. Her extensive work with active geriatric patients is a passion to her. She is excellent at working with the older population on balance, function, and rehab from knee and hip replacements. She is also a gifted practitioner with high school and college-aged patients.

Beth lives close to Praxis, along with her husband and dog, and she enjoys helping the surrounding community. She is an excellent baker and often brings sweet treats into the office to share!

Ryan Collier, DPT, is a physical therapist at Praxis Physical Therapy in Vernon Hills, Illinois. Dr. Collier treats everyone with skill and kindness, enabling them to achieve their goals, whether they plan to return to a sport, work, or simply want to enjoy an active life with less pain. 

He operates on the principle that no patient is more important than another and provides the same level of dedicated care and compassion regardless of the injury. Dr. Collier is committed to customizing sensible and holistic treatment plans based on science.

Dr. Collier earned his undergraduate degree from Aurora University in Illinois, where he participated in NCAA Division 3 baseball. Wanting to help athletes recover from injury and perform at their best, he continued his education and completed a Doctor of Physical Therapy at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in North Chicago, Illinois.

Dr. Collier is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association.

Curtis Burds is one of the skilled orthopedic physical therapists at Praxis Physical Therapy in Vernon Hills, Illinois. He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist credentialed by the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Curtis is eager to apply his experience and help his patients feel better. 

Curtis earned his Bachelor of Science degree from St. Ambrose University, where he majored in Exercise Science, minored in Biology, and was a member of the University Honors Program. He graduated from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science with a Doctor of Physical Therapy.

Curtis is passionate about all forms of exercise and sports. He was a member of the basketball, football, and track and field teams in high school. During this time, he realized his passion for returning athletes to their sport after suffering an injury.

As a physical therapist, Curtis' primary goal is to return every patient to the activities they love to enhance their quality of life. He believes this is done best with one-on-one skilled care in an environment created to assist each patient in their individualized healing process.

Curtis has cycled across Iowa three times on RAGBRAI and completed the Bank of America Chicago Marathon in 2019.

Elizabeth Culver is an experienced orthopedic physical therapist at Praxis Physical Therapy in Vernon Hills, Illinois. She enjoys working with patients and helping them address their concerns fully.

Elizabeth earned her Master of Physical Therapy degree from the Mayo School of Health-Related Sciences. Her career in physical therapy spans more than two decades. In addition, Elizabeth is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist.

Elizabeth has a passion for treating patients with orthopedic diagnoses of all kinds, including pre- and post-operative care. She especially enjoys working with patients on conservative treatment of orthopedic challenges to alleviate hip, knee, shoulder, and back pain. Her goal is to assist patients in achieving their goals by maximizing their function to full recovery, providing them with a positive quality of life.

In her free time, Elizabeth makes an effort to stay active. She enjoys sailing, gardening, bird watching, quilting, kayaking, biking, reading, and playing with her dog.