Physical & Occupational Therapy

Kara’s education includes a BA in Biology/Psychology at Hartwick College in 1990, a BS in Physical Therapy in 1993 from Russell Sage College and an MBA from the University of Buffalo in 1998. Employment at a Buffalo facility included outpatient senior therapist, followed by Director of the facility. She worked at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor as a staff clinician. In 1998, she achieved Board certification in Geriatrics. Effective communication with patients and staff is a primary challenge for Kara, as the importance of matching goals with receptive intake is vital to the success of any program. Inspiration for Kara comes from the determination and fortitude of patients who strive to reach a difficult challenge. In turn, her challenge is to take a complex problem and break it down to small steps, enabling patient success. As a youngster, Kara’s favorite recreational activities were ice skating and horseback riding. Now a mother of five children, three boys and two girls, she has become a permanent cheering mom, enjoying their sports activities. She likes to cross-country ski in the winter months while the summer time offers sailing in Maine where she can watch her children learn the sport with their grandparents. Camping vacations in Montauk, NY are always enjoyed as family time.

Lauren joined the team at Pemi-Baker Community Health in 2013 as a Physical Therapist. She brings a vast expertise from working in the acute hospital and rehabilitation settings to the Home Health program. Lauren graduated from Northeastern University with a Master of Science in Physical Therapy. Her areas of expertise include post-surgical rehabilitation and neurology. She has been a wonderful fit with the PBCH team and the community. According to Lauren, the most fulfilling part of this work is getting to know each patient, and discovering what motivates a person to succeed. Lauren enjoys finding creative solutions in the home to meet the individual needs of each patient. In her personal life, Lauren is an avid runner and is very proud to have completed the Boston Marathon in 2008. Lauren enjoys the outdoors particularly downhill skiing and hiking. Lauren was born and raised in Rhode Island. Her family includes her husband and two sons.

Judy Bolger works in multiple settings, including inpatient, outpatient, home health, cardiac rehab, and cancer rehab. She utilizes evidence based treatment protocols to achieve excellent results with orthopedic, neurological, sports medicine deficits, women’s health issues including urinary incontinence, geriatrics, and wound care. She received her Bachelor of Science Physical Therapy degree at the University of Michigan. The most inspiring patients for Judy are those who have a devastating illness and have the drive to get better. They will work towards their goals with high, positive work ethics. Additionally, she is inspired by families who help each other by providing an encouraging support system. Judy was born in Flint, Michigan. She enjoys gardening, motorcycling, and skin care. Perhaps, some people would find it most surprising that Judy rides her own Harley Fat Boy.

In 2009, Suzanne joined Pemi-Baker Community Health as a Home care Physical Therapist. Her early career includes experiences from acute/sub-acute rehab and long term care settings. She studied at Springfield College in western MA, where she received a Master of Science in Physical Therapy. She finds it most rewarding to see a patient’s excitement when goals are met and their quality of life has been improved. Her patients and co-workers talk about her compassion and her ability to motivate, even in the most difficult situations. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors and spending time with her family and friends.

Leesa joined Pemi-Baker Community Health as a Physical Therapist in 2008 and has become well known for her expertise in the field that includes manual therapies including, Myofascial Release, Cranioscacral Therapy, and Joint Mobilization. She also specializes in Postural and Functional Movement Assessment, Shoulder rehabilitation, and Core and Pelvic Stabilization for Women’s Health . Leesa earned a Masters of Science (MS) in Physical Therapy from Springfield College in 1998 and she continually expands her expertise through training and working with a diverse team of physical therapists. She is inspired by the body’s ability to heal and how we can promote improved patterns to reduce pain and allow clients to return to the activities they love. It is exciting to see the progress that can be made when a client focuses on rehab! Out of work Leesa enjoy spending her time with her family as well as rock climbing, trail running and doing yoga.

Kathy is a graduate of Duke University where she received a Master of Science degree in Physical Therapy (MS). She has worked in the Physical Therapy field since 1993 and she came to Pemi-Baker Community Health in April 2014. Her specialties are CranioSacral Therapy, Visceral Manipulation and Neural Manipulation, all gentle hands-on therapies that result in deep changes in the tissues. She is currently a Teaching Assistant for Visceral Manipulation. Kathy gets inspired by working as a team with her patients in pursuit of their recoveries from injuries and conditions. She is also inspired to keep learning when she sees positive results from techniques she is studying. Other interests include organic gardening and hiking in the mountains. Given the opportunity, she would enjoy hiking hut to hut in the mountains of Europe with her hiking friends.

Pam has been an Occupational Therapist over 20 years, having graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a Bachelor of Science degree. Her job at Pemi-Baker Community Health, where she has been employed since 2009, includes Home Care and Outpatient Care. Her professional background is extensive with expertise earned from her years in outpatient, inpatient, rehabilitation and school settings and has earned her Physical Agent Modalities Certification. She is most inspired by patients who are motivated to want to improve their health situation and who wish to follow suggestions that are given to reach goals. Also, it is inspiring to work with a supportive family who strives to accommodate the needs of the patient and the program. As one patient said, “Pam, my OT not only helped with my injury but brought me to a new awareness of my body posture and a desire to become more fit for better living and a better figure.” Pamela was born in Fall River, Massachusetts where she enjoyed the pleasures of a big family including beach time and the sport of Basketball. Her family time is equally important and she enjoys boating on Squam Lake and gardening.

Julia attended Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania where she received a BS in Occupational Therapy and later, a MS in Organizational Leadership from Southern New Hampshire University. She started her career working in in a large hospital where she treated ICU, orthopedic and joint center patients. She then spent two years at a Rehab facility and in 2006 she became a Home Health Occupational Therapist, evaluating and treating patients in their homes. For Julia, inspiration in her work comes from patients who persevere. Those who deal with pain and limitations with a positive attitude offer inspiration to others. She was born in Delaware. She enjoys New Hampshire she home-schools her three children, two girls and one boy. She loves to be with them…reading, baking and playing outside. She makes it a priority and feels fortunate to share quality time with her family. Additionally, she enjoys hiking and kayaking.

Nicole has been an occupational therapist for over fifteen years. She started her career working at the West Roxbury VA Medical Center, working with veterans in an inpatient setting. The majority of her career has been in homecare in the city of Boston. She loves working with people in their homes to maximize their ability to complete their everyday activities. She has recent moved to the White Mountains and enjoys hiking, gardening, and spending time with family, friends, and her dog, Hannah.

Denise, known to most as Dee Dee, is a Physical Therapist Assistant and has been practicing for 10 years, joining PBHC in 2008. She attended Hesser College, graduating with an Associate’s Degree in Science. Dee Dee is a Certified Group Fitness Instructor, Owner and Operator of NH Adventure Boot Camp for Women, and Piyo Live, P90X, and Bodyshred Live Instructor. Her specialty at PBHC is total joint and aquatic rehabilitation with particular interests in working with athletes and patients who have had total knee replacements. The most challenging part of her work is motivating patients to improve, and finding the happy point between motivation and success. It’s the transformations that inspire Dee Dee, helping people gain strength, endurance and confidence toward their goals. “Seeing people strive and go outside of their comfort zone is very inspiring to me. Everyone should have a goal to work toward and once that goal is reached, finding a new goal is very inspiring!”, says Dee Dee. Her hobbies are: hiking, biking, swimming, kayaking, creating and teaching classes and going to the movies! She has her own website that offers fitness videos and help with good nutritional values.