Kelly Loeffelholz grew up in Bettendorf, Iowa, and attended St. Ambrose University where she received a degree in exercise science while also serving as captain of the volleyball team. She graduated with a Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2010 from Clarke University.
She started her career at Witwer Children’s Therapy Center where she received mentorship that solidified her passion for pediatrics. She started with Unified Therapy Services in 2012 and is proud to be a part of that team.
She currently works as the clinic director of the Pennsylvania Ave. pediatric clinic and continues to treat a wide variety of patients.
Tell us about your field and what attracted you to it.
I was initially interested in physical therapy after spending some time in the athletic trainer’s office as a high school and as a college athlete. When I was young, I enjoyed working with children both through babysitting and as a camp counselor director. During physical therapy school, my interest in pediatrics grew and was officially what I knew I wanted to do following my internship at the University of Iowa Center for Disabilities and Development.
How has your field changed in the time you’ve worked in it? How have you adapted?
One of the things I love about my job is the ongoing research and new treatment methods that help us to grow and progress our ability to help others. It’s exciting to be working in a field that is always looking for ways to be better. On the other side of the coin, I’ve experienced increasing difficulties for children to receive services due to insurance denials. I work hard to learn about the ways we can help these companies understand the importance of our services as well as learn about alternative funding sources to provide these resources to the families I work with.
Is there a person or people who have had a tremendous impact on you?
I 100% believe that the mentorship I’ve had throughout my career has been the most important part of my growth as a therapist. I’ve been so blessed to work with so many amazing people that have passed on their knowledge as well as their passion for the profession. Sharon Hill, Keri Balster, Barb Kaufmann, Janet Matson and Kelly Heysinger have all shaped my growth both as a therapist as well as a person. They’ve taught me about compassion, dedication and balance as co-workers who became great friends.
Do you have any advice for young people and/or new graduates?
It’s important to recognize early on that you’re not going to have all the answers. Especially in pediatrics, you will never stop learning new things. Use your resources. Ask questions, take classes, collaborate with co-workers. Working with children requires patience and an understanding that everything will not always go as planned and that’s OK. Be a problem solver and be prepared to fail. But when you do, get back up and try again. It will get easier and if you don’t give up you will receive the ultimate reward of knowing you have helped someone with the most important thing in their entire world, their child.
What have you found to be the most valuable resource for learning? Are you an on-the-job learner or do you prefer another way?
What’s so great about this field is there is an endless supply of learning through continuing education. I love how the people in this field work together to determine new ways to help our patients and then work to share this knowledge so they we can help more people. The internet has made this knowledge readily available which has increased the availability to grow as a therapist. I’m so grateful for these resources but even more grateful for what I consider to be my most powerful resource, people. From a seasoned therapist that provides me with mentorship, to a coworker from another discipline, to a 4-year-old patient, I’m always learning from other people. And this is what I think makes my learning more well-rounded and applicable.
Math vs. creativity. People person vs. introvert. Slow and steady vs. quick and nimble. Where do you fall on those divides? Do you believe there even is a divide?
People have different strengths as well as different personalities, which makes this world a better place. I always tell my kids how boring things would be if we were all the same. I work with so many different types of people and I’m so grateful for that. It not only helps me to learn the best way to interact and teach others, but also further solidifies why we need variety in our world. I think it’s also important to recognize that we can vary in these areas depending on the situation and this plays a large role in my job to navigate these changes while working to help/teach others.
When you think of the future, what kind of changes would you like to see in your field? In the broader world?
I am passionate about working to change the way others view disabilities. I hope that the world continues to improve on inclusivity. I hope that the understanding of both visible and invisible disabilities will be better understood and accepted. I hope for people to look beyond what people can’t do and see what makes them special. Everyone has something to offer this world, sometimes we just can’t see past the weeds to see the flowers.
How has your professional life helped you grow as a person?
My job has taught me so much about how I want to be as a person, a mother, a wife, a friend. I’m constantly learning about communication and patience. I’m blessed to have been so many amazing families that have shown me what unconditional love looks like and how to fight for the things that are most important in life.
How do you strike a work/life balance?
I’ve been lucky to work with companies that not only understand, but encourage the importance of a good work/life balance. I recognize that to be able to provide exceptional care to my patients I also must take care of myself. I’ve had a lot of experience in working with families to ensure they are taking care of both their physical and mental health and in turn have continued to learn the importance of caring for my own.
