Sarah mcmahon PT, DPT, CPI

All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them

  • About me

    I am a recent graduate from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. I earned a Bachelor of Science and a 450 hour Pilates certification from Drexel University as a Dance and Education major. I aim to combine my broad education experiences to advance the physical therapy profession through the development of unique and individualized treatment sessions.

     

    I have interests in physical therapy for complex medical conditions including neuromuscular, pediatric, and amputee populations. In my spare time, I enjoy teaching Pilates and yoga, capturing life moments with photography, exploring the great outdoors from skiis to surf boards, and trying new recipes from Pinterest.

  • Goals

    Professional 

    By 6 months post graduation, I will begin working as a full-time physical therapist in a clinic or setting where I have networked or worked in clinically.

     

    By 5 years post graduation, I will take and pass the NCS or PCS exam.

     

    By 10 years post graduation, I will become a DPT program faculty member at a local university.

  • Education

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    Doctorate of Physical Therapy

    Thomas Jefferson University

    • Attendance from July 2014 to May 2017
    • An educational experience that has taught me how to take care a wide variety of patient populations, and to do it safely and well. I have learned how to become a leader within our profession and that I love working with both neuromuscular and pediatric populations. 
    • Course work includes anatomy, physiology, therapeutic exercise, neuroscience, neuromuscular physical therapy, musculoskeletal conditions, medical conditions, pharmacology, and critical inquiry.
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    Bachelor of Science and Pilates Certification

    Drexel University

    • Attended from September 2008 to June 2012
    • A combination of opportunities that arose from being a dance major, working toward a masters in education, and earning my Pilates certification made me realize physical therapy was my calling. Volunteering for 2 years at the HMS school for Cerebral Palsy solidified that I needed to make a difference in people's lives through movement to be happy in a career.
    • Course work included kinesiology, philosophy, dance repertoire, dance pedagogy, Laban movement analysis, and dance movement therapy. 

  • Clinical Experience

    Affiliations completed while working toward a DPT from Thomas Jefferson University

    Sinai Hospital, Baltimore, MD

    Acute rehabilitation

    8 weeks - August-September 2015

     

    This setting focused on providing orthopedic and cardiovascular patients with the highest quality care through bi-weekly patient care conferences with the whole medical team and daily one on one treatment sessions up to 2 hours. Additionally, I had other learning opportunities shadowing knee and hip replacement surgeries, assisting with outpatient treatments for children after limb lengthening procedures, treating patients in the neurological rehabilitation unit, assessing gait in the prosthetics and orthotics clinic, and designing an aqua therapy program for a chronic pain patient.

     

    This experience opened my eyes to how diverse the field is and challenged me with a wide variety of unique cases.

    Good Shepherd Penn Partners at Arcadia, PA

    Outpatient Orthopedics

    8 weeks- January-February 2016

     

    This setting provided one-on-one patient centered care for a variety of orthopedic populations from low back pain to TMJ dysfunction. In addition to evaluating and treating patients, I had many opportunities to obtain new information from my clinical instructor's personal library and practice techniques presented in the literature, such as mobilizations with movement.

     

    Having a McKenzie certified therapist as my mentor gave me an opportunity to better understand how to evaluate and treat low back pain, including refining my manual techniques. My clinical instructor also made me realize the importance of special tests and treatments targeting the nervous system for any patients experiencing acute or chronic pain.

    NovaCare

    Outpatient Orthopedics

    10 weeks- June-August 2016

     

    This setting was the first to challenge my ability to handle up to 3 patients at a time while still providing quality care. I enjoyed how the larger clinic kept me on my toes with a variety of complex patients, ranging from 15 to 90 years old, recovering with anything from a debilitating stroke to sports related ACL repairs.

     

    At the time of my affiliation, multiple coworkers were studying for the SCS which provided me with extra resources and information for more advanced orthopedic cases. My favorite part of this affiliation was spending the day at Temple Football and helping the head Physical Therapist challenge their elite athletes by incorporating Pilates based rehabilitation.

    Children's Specialized Hospital

    Pediatric Acute Rehabilitation

    12 weeks- February-May 2017

     

    This setting is where I felt challenged to become a jack of all trades. In a single day my caseload varied drastically from a 4 month old recovering from a TBI to a 19 year old with multi-trauma orthopedic injuries from a severe car accident. Additionally, I worked to improve my culture competence by adapting forms of communication and treatment sessions to meet the needs of patients from all over the world.

     

    My CIs during this affiliation were on the BI and SCI teams. Their guidance greatly improved my comfort level when providing locomotor training and making the appropriate assistive device recommendations for patients with complex neuromuscular conditions. This affiliation allowed me to continue learning and growing as a professional with hands on learning experiences with NDT, stim bikes, and the Esko exoskeleton.

  • Work Experience

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    IM=X Pilates Blue Bell

    Pilates and Yoga Instructor

    • September 2015 to Present (formerly Art & Soul Yoga and Pilates)
    • Instructs beginner and intermediate classical reformer classes and private sessions focusing on maintaining core strength, alignment, and breath throughout the session
    • Instructs beginner yoga class focusing on deep stretching and meditation combined with a basis in other movement theories, from Bartenieff Fundamentals to neurodynamic movements
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    Pivotal Pilates 

    Pilates Instructor

    • January 2013 to January 2015
    • Instructed  beginner and intermediate Pilates mat classes to clients 16-60 years old
    • Instructed private and small group sessions on reformer, chair, and tower specific to client needs
    • Developed adult beginner dance fitness class to attract and maintain broader client base
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    Game Shape Physical Therapy and Fitness Center 

    Physical Therapy Aide 

    • October 2012 to April 2013
    • Coached patients in proper form and execution of therapeutic exercises
    • Ensured a clean and safe environment
    • Completed administrative responsibilities including billing and sheduling for both physical therapy and the gym
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    Drexel University Athletic Center

    Group Fitness Instructor 

    • January 2011 to August 2012
    • Instructed intermediate level Pilates mat classes
    • Instructed private and small group sessions on reformer, chair, and tower
    • Demonstrated concepts and provided tactile cues to facilitate client progress
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    Lingelbach Elementary School

    Student Teacher 

    • September 2010 to March 2011
    • Developed and executed an 8 week dance program for kindergarten through 2nd grade gym classes
    • Met each student’s individual needs in 3rd grade and special needs classrooms by providing feedback and positive reinforcement to improve confidence 
    • Developed rapport with faculty and students in order to create a base of trust to ensure student success

  • Testimonial

    A client shares his experience with me in the Pilates studio

    Around 2 years ago I decided to get back into the best shape of my life. It was a wake up call of sorts- I had let life and work take over and was a physical mess. Through my trainer I quickly recognized the three fundamental pillars of fitness- strength, endurance, and mobility, and with a regimen of progressive overload and resistance training I was able to regain my endurance and build muscle mass to the point where I could play competitive tennis again. But a key aspect was lacking- mobility. I was unable to properly dead lift, squat, and bench, being limited primarily by lack of thoracic, shoulder and hip mobility. My new found passion with golf also suffered, as I was not able to create the appropriate level of mid thoracic torque to initiate a good swing. As did my serve in tennis, result, hip and back pain due to improper sequencing.

     

    Enter Sarah and the world of Pilates. Like everything else in life, this was a serendipity of sorts- started with a few yoga lessons and I realized I needed more active stretching under resistance, so decided to give it a shot. In a few short weeks I noticed significant improvements in my ability to maintain the proper form for dead lifts, squats and the bench. My golf swing improved, as did my ability to stretch for wide balls in tennis. Far less post workout pain, and my body that was a frozen wasteland was becoming a one-hit wonderland! My back pains disappeared, my hamstrings are much flexible, and my hip, shoulder, and mid thoracic mobility have improved significantly! The final piece had fallen into place!

     

    I highly recommend Pilates for people of any age both to improve mobility, address muscle imbalances, improve fitness, and most importantly prevent injuries. As a rheumatologist, I have encountered many types of musculoskeletal injuries due to inactivity, lack of mobility and poor strengthening regimens. In my own case, I used to get steroid shots in my knees twice a year, but those are things now of the past. One of the most neglected areas of fitness is stretching and mobility, I know many friends of mine who are active sports enthusiasts, only to have injuries due to poor post workout habits with stretching. A motivated and understanding Pilates instructor would help one to maintain good health, prevent injuries, and increase enjoyment and longevity in any sphere of life, be it a spirited game of tennis, a quiet round of golf, or a walk in the park!

     

     

    Sudhakar Sridharan MD

    Executive Medical Director, Global Product Development, Imm/Rheum/Inflam/PPD ®

     

  • "Success is when intention to serve what you love and feel passionate about is realized"

    -Tommy Tune

  • Extracurricular Activities

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    PT Society Professional Associations Director

    September 2014 to May 2017

    I contribute to monthly officer and general assembly meetings, manage social media accounts, and organize class trips to APTA's National Student Conclaves, Combined Section Meetings, and NEXT Conferences to encourage student involvement in the profession on a national level.

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    Class Representative 

    September 2014 to May 2017

    I serve as a liaison between students and faculty, work with faculty and fellow representatives to continue improving the program, co-manage the class bank account, and initiated a fundraising committee in efforts to improve funds and class involvement.

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    Hands of Hope

    2014-2017

    Jefferson's collaboration with Sunday Breakfast Rescue Mission allows students to work on a medical team providing the homeless with diagnoses, care, supplies, and information necessary to improve and maintain personal health. I volunteered each semester spent on campus.

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     Phi Sigma Sigma Sorority

    2009-2012

    Being part of this strong sisterhood is what inspired me to begin pursuing leadership opportunities. I started off as fundraising chair and by senior year worked my way up to vice president.

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    American Dance Wheels Foundation

    September 2011 to May 2012

    I had the pleasure of being a standing partner in this program that teaches wheel chair ballroom and Latin dance to all ages, levels, and those with and without physical disabilities. This program is constantly looking for new teachers and facilities to expand into so it is my hope to get re-involved with this program in the future.

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    HMS School for Children with Cerebral Palsy

    2009-2011

    I spent two years volunteering weekly with the school's Dance Movement Therapist to help students find more freedom in their movement and expression. We also performed yearly at Drexel's Youth Performance Exchange Showcase. My dance partner Greg became a lifelong friend who I continue to visit at the St. Edmunds Home for Children.

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    Drexel Youth Performance Exchange

    2009-2010

    I used my love for teaching, movement, and children in the development and performance of a school assembly program. Performances were weekly across the Greater Philadelphia area.

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    and More!

    2008-2012

    While attending Drexel University, I was also a part of Drexel Dance Ensemble, Drexel Players, and University Chorus

  • Current Projects and Philanthropy

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    Pilates Physical Therapy

    Co-Founder with Blair Nettles

    A series of social media, blogs, and community outreach events "bridging the gap between Physical Therapy and Pilates." This project was developed to enhance personal networking, to advocate both professions, and to use in conjunction with a business plan being submitted to APTA's private practice section student contest. Visit http://www.pilatespt.wix.com/home to learn more.

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    Camp No Limits 

    Physical Therapy Volunteer

    A camp providing education and empowerment to pediatric amputees and their families through a balance of therapy and challenging adventures. I attend at least one camp a year, including the winter camp focusing on adaptive skiing and snowboarding. 

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    Drexel Pilates Training Program

    Volunteer

    Expanding upon my passion for teaching, I began volunteering in Spring of 2016 to mentor students at my Alma Mater. The program allows me to give feedback to apprentices during practice and test sessions. Additionally, some students will contact me for guidance when working toward their transition from a Pilates professional to a physical therapy student.

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    North Light Community Center

    Volunteer

    In an effort to continue finding ways to get involved in the local community, I started volunteering at the community center as needed immediately following graduation. When fill in counselors were needed for the summer camp, I was able to continue practicing my skills working with children and cultural competence working with people of diverse socioeconomical backgrounds.

  • Continuing Education

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    American Physical Therapy Association National Conferences

    • NEXT Conference 2018, Orlando, Florida
    • Combined Sections Meeting 2017, San Antonio, Texas
    • Combined Sections Meeting 2016, Anaheim, California
    • National Student Conclave 2015, Omaha, Nebraska
    • NEXT Conference 2015, National Harbor, Maryland 
    • National Student Conclave 2014, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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    Pilates Workshops

    • Franklin Method Class Series with Shannon Murphy 2018
    • Drexel Pilates and Gratz Industries Workshop 2016, Philadelphia, PA

  • Connect With ME

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    sarah.calvanico@jefferson.edu

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    LinkedIn

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    Twitter

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    Instagram

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