Name: Michelle Petruzzi, DPT

Specialty: Physical Therapy

Education and Certifications: Bachelor of Science Physical Therapy, Russell Sage College, Albany, NY; Masters of Science and Doctor of Physical Therapy, Sage Graduate School, Albany, NY.

Joined NWT: March 2009

Special interests: I have been a Physical Therapist for six years. While in high school, I became interested in physical therapy after “job-shadowing” therapists in a variety of clinical settings, including hospitals and convalescent homes. What attracted me most to pursuing this profession is my desire to help people, in a hands-on, direct way. For my initial training, I attended the Sage Colleges in Albany, New York, where I earned both my Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Physical Therapy.

After graduating, I moved to Culpepper, Virginia, where I worked for three years in the physical therapy clinic at Culpepper Regional Hospital. I then moved to Washington, DC, where I worked the next three years at Georgetown University Hospital, in the adult orthopedic clinic. While at Georgetown, I had the opportunity to work with neurologic and orthopedic populations of adults, students and athletes, which I found especially interesting. During this time, I returned to school and earned my Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the Sage Graduate School. Needless to say, it was one of the most exciting – and busy – times in my life!

I have always loved to travel, so upon completing my DPT degree, I hit the road, looking for new adventures. Heeding the old saying, “Go West, Young Woman!” I made my way to Oregon. I had a feeling that I would like it here and soon after arriving, I decided it was the place for me.

My clinical interests focus on adult orthopedic populations as a manual therapist. I greatly enjoy working as a hands-on Physical Therapist, helping people increase daily functional tasks.

When I am not working, I enjoy spending my weekends exploring Oregon, hiking, cooking, camping, browsing Powell’s Bookstore for fiction and travel story titles, and eating my way through the food carts of downtown Portland and the Hawthorne District.

Languages Spoken: English

Handicapped Access: Yes