Melissa received her Master’s in Science in Physical Therapy and Certificate in Health Care Administration from Widener University, and her BA from the University of Notre Dame. She is currently pursuing her transitional doctorate degree in physical therapy. Melissa practices at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab formerly known as the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago with 19 years of clinical experience. She is a board certified orthopedic clinical specialist and received her Diplomate in Mechanical Diagnosis and Treatment from the McKenzie Institute in 2011. She is a member of APTA and the Education and Orthopedic sections, a member of the Specialization Academy of Content Experts for Orthopedic Clinical Specialists in the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties and abstract reviewer for the orthopedic section. Melissa is a Mentor, Board Member and Co-Director of the NU-SRALAB Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Residency Program and teaches in Northwestern University's PTHMS Clinical Management of Patients with Musculoskeletal Dysfunction course series. She has co-authored the 2015 book “A World of Hurt: A Guide to Classifying Pain” and published the 2014 Journal Article “Validation of a pain mechanism classification system (PMCS) in physical therapy practice”. Currently she is working on researching the outcomes associated with the musculoskeletal pain classification system discussed in clinical practice. Melissa is currently one of the educational program managers and responsible for AbilityLab curriculum development. She is practicing clinically with an interest in spine care and treatment of patients with musculoskeletal pain.

Spine care, orthopedics and treatment of musculoskeletal pain